The 6th Edition of ZINN AND THE ART OF ROAD BIKE MAINTENANCE is here!
On sale date is June 25th--I just got my first copies!
I wrote this new 6th edition of ZINN AND THE ART OF ROAD BIKE MAINTENANCE over the fall and winter. It’s so awesome to have a box of them in my house now and to be able to flip it open, rather than just looking at it on a computer screen!
Expanded and added in this edition are new tools and tool usage to reflect changes in bike technology (like, for instance, installation and elongation measurement of SRAM Flattop chains), and quick, on-the-road repair methods for tubeless tires.
I’ve added chain waxing (dipping a cleaned chain in molten wax) to the book. I’ll be talking about this in my Substack column, because it’s not only the fastest, lowest-friction chain lube, but it also is the most durable, and it doesn’t pick up dirt.
I’ve greatly expanded the section on routing of internal wires, cables, hoses, and housings. Many bikes now have internally-routed wires and hoses from the levers through the handlebar, the stem, the headset, the head tube, and all the way through the frame. It’s brutal to get all of these through initially as well as to deal with them with every change of stems, handlebars, or headsets. Now there are clear, step-by-step written instructions on how to do that.
As you might have imagined or hoped, electronic-derailleur sections have grown, including app usage of 12-speed electronic derailleurs from Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo and expanded wiring methods for Shimano and Campagnolo 11-speed electronic derailleurs.
There is more on setup and repair of tubeless tires and a new section on hookless rims. I expect to be answering questions about these subjects in this column, since I certainly used to get a lot of questions about this in my VeloNews Tech FAQ.
I’ve added sections on SRAM XDR freehubs and cassettes and complete disassembly and service of Shimano freehubs and expanded and simplified hydraulic-brake-bleeding instructions.
The wheelbuilding chapter has a new focus on building disc-brake wheels and an expanded, data-driven (with an app) section on spoke tensioning and balancing.
Appendix B’s gear charts are expanded to include wider cassette-sprocket and chainring ranges, and I’ve added two new gear charts for bigger road and gravel tires.
Appendix C has a new saddle-fit section with specific recommendations for male and female performance cyclists. It also has enhanced bike-positioning guidelines and methods for road and gravel riding as well as for time trial and triathlon racing.
There is now a new Appendix F on how to pack a bike for shipping and air travel.
I’ll be doing a number of book signings starting in July all over the country. I hope to see you at one of them!