On Sun, Mar 1, 2009 at 11:25 AM, Macho Philipovich
<macho@resist.ca> wrote:
The library is such a good idea! It's something i've been thinking of ever since we opened, but haven't had the chance to put together. The toughest part is figuring out how to keep greasy hands (including my own), away from pristine white pages...
Books I would count as essential would be:
1) Barnett's Manual - http://www.bbinstitute.com/manual.htm
This is the most comprehensive, serious, shop manual I'm aware of.
2) Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists http://www.velogear.com/prodinfo.asp?number=VP+APMG
Goes very thoroughly over proper bike fit, as well as diagnosing injuries and preventative measures. It's no fun biking all day every day if you're just giving yourself repetitive strain injuries.
3) The Art of Cycling http://www.falcon.com/978-0-7627-4316-2
This is a great book covering the history of bicycles (and cars), riding skills, safety equipment, and a whole bunch of other stuff. It's very readable. The author has some ideas I don't agree with about Critical Mass and collective organizing (he doesn't see any value in it), but this is a really well-researched and written book.
4) Atomic Zombie - Bicycle Builder's Bonanza
Not really my thing, but enough people freak out about this that it should probably be in any bike shop library.
5) Bicycles & Tricycles: An Elementary Treatise on their Design and Construction
This is my preferred alternative to Atomic Zombie: the classic 1896(!) text on all aspects of bike construction. Unfortunately it's out print and will probably cost you, unless you have good used book sleuthing skills.
You might also want to browse through Microcosm's catalogue for bike books and zines at microcosmpublishing.com; it's important to support Do-it-Yourself publications, but if you're mainly interested in authoritative information, the books above will probably serve you better.
Good luck!
Macho
http://bike-dump.ca