Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book (even with Cartoons)
Review: As a novice scrambling for info, I have found Nealy's book to be extremely useful. Though initially put off by the cartoons (sensitive novice ego at work), after a few minutes with the book I was pleased to find it full of information. The illustrations actually illustrated the author's points quite well, in addition to their humorous value. I enjoyed reading it and am industriously trying to turn the information gained into actual skills.
Rating: 
Summary: The Almost-Perfect Mountain Biking Guide!
Review: I began mountain biking in January 2000, learning whatever I could from watching the other bikers (and in this sport, there's no time for others to stop and explain!) Don't want to go through the "University of Hard Knocks" to learn more of the sport? Here's the solution! Whether if you are a new mountain biker or an experienced downhill maniac, this book will teach you the basics and perfect your technique. It provides great details on everything a mountain biker should know about arm & leg technique, taking falls, pedaling tricks, trail use and care, emergency repairs, survival techniques, mountain biking "etiquette", no-no's and even what's fashionable and what's not on the sport. I would've rated this book 5 stars, had Nealy provided more help on mud trail mastering techniques, making clipless pedals easy and maybe a couple of dog-dodging and cow/bull evading techniques. (Mud, rocks, dirt, grass, rivers, dogs and even bulls are common on a same trail, in a country like mine - Costa Rica) Perhaps we'll see it in a second edition? The bottom line: This book in its easy-to-understand and funny cartoon format is a must for anybody and everybody who loves mountain biking! So what are you waiting for? Another spectacular crash? Hit that "Add to Shopping Cart" button now!
Rating:
Summary: The Almost-Perfect Mountain Biking Guide!
Review: I began mountain biking in January 2000, learning whatever I could from watching the other bikers (and in this sport, there's no time for others to stop and explain!) Don't want to go through the "University of Hard Knocks" to learn more of the sport? Here's the solution! Whether if you are a new mountain biker or an experienced downhill maniac, this book will teach you the basics and perfect your technique. It provides great details on everything a mountain biker should know about arm & leg technique, taking falls, pedaling tricks, trail use and care, emergency repairs, survival techniques, mountain biking "etiquette", no-no's and even what's fashionable and what's not on the sport. I would've rated this book 5 stars, had Nealy provided more help on mud trail mastering techniques, making clipless pedals easy and maybe a couple of dog-dodging and cow/bull evading techniques. (Mud, rocks, dirt, grass, rivers, dogs and even bulls are common on a same trail, in a country like mine - Costa Rica) Perhaps we'll see it in a second edition? The bottom line: This book in its easy-to-understand and funny cartoon format is a must for anybody and everybody who loves mountain biking! So what are you waiting for? Another spectacular crash? Hit that "Add to Shopping Cart" button now!
Rating:
Summary: Don't go off-road without this book!
Review: I have been a mountain biker for 15 years and a mountain bike ride leader for almost that long, and this is the finest "how to ride a mountain bike" book I have seen. It has a ton of easy to read and understand "how to's" for ALL skill levels. Don't be scared away by the cartoon like illustrations. They are actually very good in that the illustrator has emphasized highly important things you wouldn't see in a photo. From your first ride to the most technically difficult ride, this book covers "how to do it!"
Rating:
Summary: Great book for beginners
Review: I have been mountain biking for only a couple of months now and I have to say that this book has saved me from a couple of close call wipe-outs. It teaches techniques to keep from "face planting" yourself as well as basic techniques ( with illustrations) to keep your ride enjoyable. Good job
Rating:
Summary: Great book for beginners
Review: I have been mountain biking for only a couple of months now and I have to say that this book has saved me from a couple of close call wipe-outs. It teaches techniques to keep from "face planting" yourself as well as basic techniques ( with illustrations) to keep your ride enjoyable. Good job
Rating:
Summary: huge amount of important information... and hilarious...
Review: I think this should be the first book a novice mountain-biker should buy and read. This book is loaded with critical information which can make your cycling adventure much more enjoyable. I actually had my non-cycling brother read the book just for the illustrations and he nearly wet himself laughing. Of course some of the bicycle-specific information may be a little outdated, (rigid forks, toe straps) it really doesn't matter. THe skills of the mountain-biker apply to any generation of biker or bike. Highly recommended. WOuld be a good book for the coffee table as well.
Rating:
Summary: The best "how to" book for all ages, skill levels.
Review: I was lucky to come across this book early in my mountain biking career. Though the material is somewhat dated (due to the technology standards for bikes advancing), it has great advice on the basics of form and technique. The most useful part of the book is that because it is in cartoon form, he can also demonstrate what happens when you do things wrong. Not only does this make it easy to see yourself, and what (goof thing) you're doing wrong, it gives you excellent advice for how to correct it. His cartooning style lends itself well to the "force diagrams" he draws. These were much more useful to me that photos (always too dark, too small and poorly reproduced) for clairty of understanding of what is going on. Cartooning also leds itself to capturing some "motion" that "action" photos can miss. He also seems to capture the essence of mountain biking, which is (once you get into it) somewhat cultish and a lot of fun. Easy and entertaining to read, this is one of the first things I give folks that are starting out.
Rating:
Summary: The book you need to teach yourself to mountain bike
Review: I was lucky to come across this book early in my mountain biking career. Though the material is somewhat dated (due to the technology standards for bikes advancing), it has great advice on the basics of form and technique. The most useful part of the book is that because it is in cartoon form, he can also demonstrate what happens when you do things wrong. Not only does this make it easy to see yourself, and what (goof thing) you're doing wrong, it gives you excellent advice for how to correct it. His cartooning style lends itself well to the "force diagrams" he draws. These were much more useful to me that photos (always too dark, too small and poorly reproduced) for clairty of understanding of what is going on. Cartooning also leds itself to capturing some "motion" that "action" photos can miss. He also seems to capture the essence of mountain biking, which is (once you get into it) somewhat cultish and a lot of fun. Easy and entertaining to read, this is one of the first things I give folks that are starting out.
Rating:
Summary: Are you Kidding?!
Review: If you only have one book in your personal mtn bike library, this is the one. Funny! Interesting! Great illustrations! Originally purchased back in the old school days of the sport and is still the number one to have, mine is on the coffee table...and another copy in the office...
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