Tori Bortman

Bicycling Big Book of Cycling for Beginners: Everything a New Cyclist Needs to Know to Gear Up and Start Riding by Tori Bortman. Bortman is a bicycle consultant who owns Gracie's Wrench, where she offers classes and one-on-one bicycle consultation. I generally separate my bill paying job from my reviewing but here the two merge. I have been a professional bicycle mechanic and service manager for several years. I earned my USA Cycling mechanics license and formerly raced at the local velodrome. As a mechanic I deal everyday with bicycles, people, and their questions.

The Big Book starts with a good breakdown and explanation of the types of riding styles. However, missing from the mix is even a mention of track bikes or velodrome. I know it is a small group, but it is a group that I belong to, so I will mention it. The component breakdown and comparison is very good and keeps to Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo. It thankfully does not mention the lower quality companies whose parts are found on department store bikes. To help with the comparison of the quality of the components, they are matched to price points on bicycles. This way you know what you should be getting on a $1,200 bike or a $500 bike.

Choosing the right bike is one of the most important considerations in cycling. Here the breakdown goes into frame materials and the benefits, cost, and properties of the materials. Shopping for your bike, especially your first bike, should be done at a real bicycle shop-- not a sporting goods store that happens to sell bikes and definitely not a a department store. Before I am accused of bias, it is no fun telling a customer that repairs for their almost new department store bike costs than they paid for it. Go to a bike shop first. Another concern when shopping for a bike is the brand. “The truth, as long as you avoid department store bikes and go to a brick-and-mortar bicycle shop, the brands will be reliable.” Also bike shops have full service departments, if in case something goes wrong with your new bike it can be fixed in house and if there is a defect, you have a warranty. Fit, test riding, and demos are important to get you on the right bike. Bicycling's Big Book cover this in detail as well as possible upgrades and accessories.

The section on bike fitting is excellent. Again, go to a bike shop and get fit when you purchase your bike. Most shops have factory trained fitters. Bike fit has come a long way from “Do your feet touch the ground?” If your bike does not fit, you will not be comfortable on it, and you will not ride it. Fit is very important, if not the most important consideration, in buying a bicycle.

Bicycle equipment is also covered in detail: clothing, shoes, and helmets. How to dress. Proper layering, chamois cream, fenders, gloves, sunscreen, and a host of other accessories are explained in detail. What to carry when you ride and how to carry it is thoroughly covered. How to ride and more importantly how to hold your line is explained. There are sections covering nutrition on and off the bike. Tools and basic repairs are covered. Major repairs are not covered but things like keeping your bike lubed and how to change a flat are covered. As a mechanic, one thing that completely baffles us how a grown man cannot change a flat tire. I have been doing this since I was in grade school. Please, read the maintenance section. Mechanics like helping customers with bike problems, but we tire of fixing flats for adults rather quickly. It is easy to do, and if you need help after reading the book, a mechanic will be happy to show you. Also, please, don't bring in a mud coated bike for repairs; there is a section on cleaning your bike too.

Honestly, I thought this book would be an easy target to poke holes in. I will admit that I like this book, and as a beginners guide it is comprehensive and informative. The information is not dumbed-down or above the level of a beginning rider. It is very practical and highly recommended by this mechanic and rider.… (meer)