5 comments about Bicycling Science, 3rd Edition.

1. Definitely a good book for bike nerds like myself. Really technical and thick reading. If you like stuff like that, then get this book.



2. I like science. I like bicycles. This book goes into much greater depth than most people will want. I couldn't even finish it. If you build bikes and/or are a physicist or engineer and like biking then you will probably enjoy it.



3. I used the book mainly to write a report on the history of recumbent bicycles. But it is an excellent source for bike history and science in general. David Gordon Wilson goes into great detail, both conceptually and technically, with regard to bike issues, such as aerodynamics.



4. While I recommend it, I don't recommend you expect a real engineering reference or good reading cover-to-cover. It is somewhere in between and as such is not very good as either.
   
   The charts and plots are good so if you only want it for that it's a great compilation of other sources and references. The history of the bicycle and the HPV chapters are very interesting. The book is one of a very few like it so "one of the best" is not that great of a compliment.
   
   It is layed out and presented as an engineering reference type book on a specific topic (something like a Mark's for bikes) but it's nowhere near as consistent, rigorous, or detailed. A better description would be "musings on bicycle design and science" by someone who is genuinely very knowledgeable on the topic.
   
   My biggest problem is with the narrative. It has way too many opinions. Many are simply some ideas the author has about a particular design or test (there's no data in this area but one way to get some would be this...). It also has way too much anecdotal evidence which is (thankfully) usually presented as such. And worst of all there are many opinions that are generally made to sound like facts through casual use of expressions such as "future testing should..." "it is recommended" "conventional design practices" "according to some" and so on.
   
   To sum up if you are an engineer looking for an engineering reference you'll be disappointed. If you are a lay bike geek you'll probably find it too technical.



5. As Miss Jean Brodie said, "For those who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing they like." She meant it as an insult, but I don't. Bicycling Science is nerd heaven, full of physics, engineering, molecular biology, aerodynamics and all kinds of other scientific manna. If you have an appetite for charts, graphs, and research studies, then this book will delight you with its explanations of why bikes work so well with the human body.
   
   It's not casual reading by any means. I'd prefer the same information presented in slightly less academic tones, but that doesn't mean it isn't accurate or interesting. So I dip into my copy for short bursts. For me, it's not a cover-to-cover read, but it's been on my bedside table for months because I pick it up regularly.
   
   Bicycling Science may well be more technical info than a casual fan can absorb. However, it's a great reference that will demystify your bike -- if that's the sort of thing you like.

5 comments about Volkswagen Official Service Manual Super Beetle, Beetle and Karmann Ghia 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979.

1. A must have for any volkswagen enthusiast or do it yourselfer ! Call me stupid but i would like to see more pictures and exploded views.



2. This is the manual the dealer sold to repair shops to work on the air-cooled VWs. It is the only repair manual you will need. We resale the manual in our VW repair shop for our VW owners.



3. The Volkswagen Official Service Manual Super Beetle has a lot of info.
   Has some good NEWBY info.



4. In response to the first review. If you are to stupid to take an engine out of a VW please do not buy this book. Take your car to a qualified mechanic.



5. Bentley manuals are the gold standard for VW repair. Absolutely the best VW service manual. A must for EVERY veedub garage.

5 comments about The Hemi in the Barn: More Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology.

1. Tom Cotter is a good writer, a good editor (some of these pieces were written by others or with others) and above all, a knowledgeable and enthusiastic car collector. Both this book and its' predecessor, "The Cobra In The Barn" are great bedside reading; the stories are just short enough that you can enjoy a few before you drop off. They are also great for those times that you come in from the garage needing a rest after struggling with ONE bolt for two hours. They help you remember why we love automobiles, why we work on them and try to bring them back to what they were when new, and why there are really only two kinds of people in the world: those who can't resist looking in old barns, behind doors, and under tarps- and those who couldn't care less. These books are for those of us who look, and dream.



2. awesome!!! if i could write as an author- this would be my life long story! it made me feel like i was 21 and hunting again--in fact i may start again. a real treasure for classic car lovers!!!



3. A good read and there are interesting search methods which others have employed to make their barn finds a reality. Many of the stories point out how dedicated and diligent people have gotten in finding these more unique barn finds. This is a good compilation of the story behind the car, or more specifically a set of stories which can complete the car enthusiasts education.



4. If you are into old cars then its a good book written is chapeters you can easily pick up and put down .



5. I have the first book, "The Cobra in the Barn", this book is as good if not better, worth the price!

3 comments about Do It Yourself Guide to Biodiesel: Your Alternative Fuel Solution for Saving Money, Reducing Oil Dependency, and Helping the Planet.

1. This was hard to follow. Seems like he went into too much detail for individual stages before giving the larger hows and whys. I bought this and William H. Kemp's book to get figure out what was involved with making biodiesel. This book's first chapter gives you the normal propaganda that you must have seen already to look at this book and review. The next chapter goes into detail about approaching and selecting restaurants for waste oil and how to pick it up and details of how to test it. Woah, I'm not there yet! For double the price I say go for the 5 star book instead Biodiesel Basics and Beyond: A Comprehensive Guide to Production and Use for the Home and Farm. This Do It Yourself Guide was shorter but somehow harder to get through.



2. I also felt this book was hard to follow. Purcella left out some details (because he wants you to send more money for the real info) while extolling the virtures of the system he sells. It seemed that I paid to recieve advertising for the plans he sells.



3. This in my humble opinion is the definitive resource for making biodiesel. It guides you through the whole process from outsourcing the raw product to putting it into your tank in clear and concise language. As diesel climbs higher and higher the realization of our misguided policy makers decisions and deeper dependence of our energy demands on foreign oil brings keen and painful awareness to do something now to avert financial catastrophe to our way of life. This book definitely has one of the answers to our uncertain future.

5 comments about Small Engine Care & Repair: A step-by-step guide to maintaining your small engine (Briggs & Stratton).

1. I have two lawn mowers with Briggs and Stratton engines. One purchased in 2000 and the second in Oct 2006. Both have roughly the same 4 HP engine. (This has to be one of B&S more popular B&S lawn mower engines.) This book does not offer any guidance on repair or maintenance instructions for the carburetor that is on my 2 engines. Very generic. I thought it would cover all models



2. OK, here's the deal on this book: if you either need to do some repair and heavy maintenance on your B&S (or, as I like to call, BS) engine, or you already have part of it apart and don't know how to get it back together, then this book will be helpful. However, if you have already torn your mower apart, put it back together, but are still having trouble honing in on the problem, I don't think you'll get much out of this book.
   
   I was in the latter position up until, well, today. I had taken the carb off, "rebuilt" it, and readjusted it several times. But I couldn't get my mower running. Turns out the smallest internal part of the carb -- the needle seat -- has to be put in a certain way. This book doesn't go into anywhere near that much detail. This is only one example of which I'm sure there are others, particularly when you start messing around with the head and piston.
   
   You can only learn engine repair and diagnosis through experience with (hopefully) a mentor. Online forums can help be that mentor in many cases. If you have no idea how to get started, then yes, I recommend this book. But if diagnosis and other small issues are your problem, I don't think this book will help.



3. I love this book. I found the information to be very helpfull, I was able to replace the gas tank on my lawnmower and clean out the engine. This is the first time I have done anything like this, but because of this book I think I can even work on my other small engine equipment. This was a great buy for me.



4. OK maybe that's harsh. If you've never touched an engine before, and yours is still running, this is a friendly introduction. Or if you lost the operating manual.
   
   What I was hoping for was an updated version of the old B&S manuals you could buy at the auto-parts and hardware stores (See Briggs & Stratton Repair Manual (For Single Cylinder 4-Cycle Engines)), but this is not it. It seems dumbed-down a lot. The "Care" and "Troubleshooting" bits are mostly in the manual when you buy something with an engine, and the "Repair" stuff is mostly obvious if you've got any mechanical sense.
   
   Unfortunately, Neither Haynes nor Chilton seem to have updated their manuals since the late 90's, and the newer pubs by other folks seem to be dumbed-down as well according to the reviews. I'm at a loss to recommend an alternative. Personally, I'm going to dig up my old B&S manual and see how much of it still applies. In the end it'll be the carburetor, it always is, and the old book won't help because that's the part that changes continuously from year to year. Oh well.



5. FAST SHIPPING. BOUGHT IT FOR MY HUSBAND AND HE IS PLEASED WITH THE INFORMATION. IT IS A BASIC GUIDE ON MAINTAINING YOUR OWN SMALL ENGINES.

5 comments about Mini Cooper Service Manual: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Cooper, Cooper S, including Convertible.

1. I recently bought an used 2004 Mini Cooper, the windshield wipers were worn out, the front washer nozzles were out of alignment, and the rear washer nozzle was completely blocked, I changed the wipers, align the front nozzles (with exact measurements) and unblock the rear one, just following the instructions in the manual. I could probably have done it by myself but it's nice knowing what you are doing in advance.
   
   PROS: Lots of information, lots of illustrations, better than Haynes manuals.
   
   CONS: The manual some times refers you to other sections, some of the images are not that clear, and it uses a lot of specialized tools from BMW.



2. This product is the best available for the job. The book is exactly what i wanted and will save me lots of money in the future as i use it to repair my car.
   Service such as I received should be available with all web site purchases. Thank you



3. Excellent detail. It answered several questions right away. Laid out very well and easy to use when you need to see detail on working on the Mini Cooper.



4. What more can I say, this is the best manual written. I have used many different types of manuals and this one is simply the best. Lots of great illustrations as well as some hard to find part numbers and error codes. A must have for the home mechanic.



5. Thanks to the reviews here at Amazon, I knew what to expect, and unfortunately...I got it. I needed direction on replacing the back side lens. Nope, not in this book. I later wanted to do a fix on my door. That's not in here either. This is probably good for some things, just not the things I wanted to fix.
   Bummer.

No comments about Teardrops and Tiny Trailers.

5 comments about Alcohol Can Be a Gas!: Fueling an Ethanol Revolution for the 21st Century.

1. 
   This book showed me EXACTLY WHAT TO DO.
   Let me start by saying that I don't work for the author, he doesn't work for me, he doesn't owe me any money, and I haven't invested in any of his companies.
   Onward: this book shows you exactly how to produce your own ethanol or buy it at the pump and switch your vehicles from OIL..also known as gasoline.
   After reading the book, I know how to make ethanol on a farm...and NOT FROM CORN... but I learned how to make ethanol right in the city.
   I found that the book shows you how ethanol can make you money in a business or save you money when you just put it in your tank.
   I guess if you just want to read about the topic, this is the definitive reference book on the subject. The book has, uh, let's see: history, politics, business models, business strategies, agricultural analysis, agricultural advice and techniques, engineering, design, strategies for succeeding with zoning and permits, environmental analyses galore, and everything you could possibly want to know on the topic.
   I mainly stuck to the D.I.Y. stuff, but his documentation is superb and overwhelming on all those other topics.
   As to the vehicle conversions, I speak as an ASE-Certified mechanic and one who has a college education IN Auto Repair, and I can say that the instruction in this book is superb. For example, it's a thousand times easier to understand than "Auto Repair For Dummies".
   This book could save our once-proud but ever-weakening country. I urge you to get the book, read the book, and use the knowledge it will give you.
   Remember, the day may soon come when ethanol fuel is the only choice you have. What will you do if the book is out of print? You can make things better for yourself with this book immediately, but I also recommend that everyone should have this book on the shelf and at the ready, in case that day comes.



2. Alcohol Can be a Gas is the book to have if you want to be ready for the future. The future is here and now. Be ready early.



3. This book changed my life. It sounds so cliché to say that, but it did. I have known about ethanol for some years. I bought a duel fuel vehicle, not because it was popular or environmentally sound...it was all that was available at the time. Never thought about using alcohol till I bought this book. Now I am looking for somewhere to start producing my own as well as other avenues for alcohol. Other members in my family are jumping on board with me. Its time to fight the high prices at the pump, and this is one way to do it.



4. I am one person that is truly going to make ethanol for gas, whether or not I continue this adventure is another question. But where we live in Europe we pay about $8 per gal for diesel- just so you know what is coming your way USA. I also happen to live in the corn belt of Europe- so it's dumb not to try and we have a small farm. Therefore I am so thankful that I bought this book. I would also recommend for further study [...]



5. This book is Huge! Full of really great information, everything from the history of alcohol fuels to how to convert any gas engine to alcohol. This is a must read for those that want to get off foriegn oil.

5 comments about Maximum Boost: Designing, Testing, and Installing Turbocharger Systems (Engineering and Performance).

1. I realize that Corky Bell is one of the most recognized authorities on turbocharging, but I think that this book is fairly outdated by now and does not give adequate coverage of today's modern, computer controlled vehicles. The books most recent publication is listed as 1997. Think of how much cars have changed over the last decade. It looks like over time he has attempted to keep it timely, but even these are outdated now and are incorporated merely as footnotes to each chapter. I also hate to admit such a non-scientific, emotional response, but looking at a bunch of photos of cars and engines from decades ago just doesn't motivate me to go out and modify my car.
   
   The book does provide a good overview of turbocharging and how it works. I do think it will serve as a good primer for people. However, I am looking forward to buying some of the more recent publications out there.



2. A little outdated as far as modern advances. But has all the basics and is still a must read starting point.



3. I've owned and driven a turbo designed car for many years. I've read a number of articles here and there and had a number of conversations, all aimed at getting an understanding of how my car worked. This book really is a concise, yet thorough, explanation of a turbo-charged engine. A discussion of the competing dynamics that are at work and what one can do to influence those dynamics. The author has provided a ton of math, so the technically inclined can use the formulas and explanations to guide their own tuning. But the book is also practical in it's explanations, not just theoretical. I drive an older Saab and I came away from the book with a real appreciation for how much great science went into the design of my car.



4. It lived up to the expectations. It tries to cover everything about tuning turbocharged engines, so not every aspect is as detailed as the next. Still a great buy, although the images look a bit old fashioned.



5. There is some good theory in this book, but it is sparse. I feel this book is more an introduction to turbos, rather than the highly technical how to do it all yourself, book I was looking for. I would not feel comfortable picking out a turbo for my car, after reading this book. This book was a huge letdown for me.

1 comments about Car Talk Field Guide to the North American Wacko.

1. We have heard all the "Click and Clack" brothers CD's. This has to be one of the funniest.