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Home > Mountain Bike!: A Manual of Beginning to Advanced Technique
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Mountain Bike!: A Manual of Beginning to Advanced Technique
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By William Nealy
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 (30 Reviews)
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List Price: $14.95
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Publisher:
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Menasha Ridge Press
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Published:
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December 31, 1969 |
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Binding:
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Paperback
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Pages:
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176
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If you?re looking for the ultimate mountain bike guide for the totally honed, welcome to William (Not Bill) Nealy?s world. Nealy?s expertise (acquired through years of crash and burn) enables him to translate hard-learned reflexes and instinctive responses into easy-to-understand drawings: drawings that will make you a much better rider. Nealy?s cartoon illustrations combine insight with humor and knowledge with humiliation. So, if you are ready to shorten the learning curve and master the advanced techniques of mountain biking, get ready to have some laughs and log a few miles with William Nealy.
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At first glance, you may think that Nealy isn't serious about teaching riding skills. The hand-printed pages--colored with hilarious animations--give the guide a comic-book appearance. But instead of assaulting his readers with dry chapters on technique, Nealy leads his readers on an entertaining tour of the mountain-biking world and how to survive it. He explains how to bunny hop, how to downhill, how to ride powerfully, and how to crash with style. He also includes a "Stupid Bike Tricks" section. One trick, The Invisible Mountain Biker, explains how to jump off of your bike and let it glide, unmanned, across the path of frightened hikers. Note that Nealy advises against heaving your bike into a crowd of hikers. Existing laws prohibit it. Whether you're a pro who's ready to soar through flaming hoops, or the neophyte who's merely searching for the pedals, Nealy's guide is bound to be fun--and isn't that what mountain biking is all about? --Ben Tiffany
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Customer Reviews:
Add Your Own Review |
 A visual person's guide to mountain biking, March 9, 2000
By Timm Muth (Chapel Hill, NC)
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If you're like me, listening to someone explain the proper way to do a wheelie hop or shift your weight during hill climbing, is about as exciting as watching old people eat, and about as gratifying. If you need something visual to clue you in, then check out Mr. Nealy's fine illustrations. Once you finish laughing your guts out, you'll realize that this guy really knows what he's talking about when it comes to biking. Studying this book can shave years off your learning curve. I absolutely HATE the fact that what I had to learn through 8 years of experimentation and pain, my buddies picked up in 3 months by pouring over this book on every trip to the john. Buy it. Read it. Use it. Then ride like a bat outta hell.
17 of 17 people found the above review helpful.
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 A Look into the Past, January 13, 2002
By Velo Head (San Francisco, CA USA)
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This is a well written, illustrated, and entertaining book on mountain biking skills, but it suffers from being quite outdated. Anyone who is more interested in contemporary mountain biking than ancient history would be better served with a more up to date tome that includes techniques more applicable to today's modern mountain bike technology. For example, toe clip pedals are not the cutting edge! Check out the Ned Overend book, Mountain Bike Like a Champion. There is also a video, Performance Mountain Biking that may be of interest.
16 of 20 people found the above review helpful.
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Excellent book (even with Cartoons), June 1, 1999
By A Customer
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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.
15 of 15 people found the above review helpful.
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extremely helpful book for beginners, May 2, 1999
By A Customer
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Loved the book. From the 1st time I picked it up I learned skills that I could master within a very short time. Now - one season later, I'm discovering that by rereading the same information, I am refining my skills and learning even more. A great book for everyone. I dare not put it down or my partner, a much more advanced rider than I , picks up the book and is lost in it. As a female rider just past 50, it's great to find a book that is geared to all ages and genders and will help me improve. This book's focus is on success, not failure - a great attitude. Everyone will learn something from it. Thank you William Nealy!
14 of 14 people found the above review helpful.
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 Not your grandmother's coffee table book!!!, September 30, 2001
By Igor Akkerman (Walnut Creek, CA USA)
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This is NOT a coffee table book, as someone unscrupulous suggested below. This is bone-crunching heart-stopping mind-blowing Mountain Biking we are discussing and besides an increased heart rate, this has nothing to do with coffee. I am not going to jump on a "This is the best mountain bike reference ever published for all skill levels" bandwagon, even though I am selling a copy. Hey, got to be honest... I picked up this book after my somewhat reckless $1,500 investment into a full-suspension Trek rig having virtually no mountain biking experience whatsoever. Being a sucker for details (comes naturally - I am a network engineer) I wanted to learn my new hobby in a methodical and structured way. My desire to learn on other people's mistakes was further strengthened by my first visit to Rockville mountain bike park in North Bay. This ride has positively kicked my butt humbling and scaring me witless into buying some sort of "Mountain Biking for Morons" equivalent. This is how I came across William Nealy and his weird little manual. Alas, I end my digression and give you the skinny. The manual is easy to read; it's offbeat and slightly wacky just like the sport itself is. An occasional use of well-hidden expletives reinforces presented concepts and also prepares one for what's inevitable - pain. The comic book style is original and pictures are fun to look at even if you don't plan to join NORBA (e.g. my wife). Concepts are well organized and presented in an easy-to-digest fashion. Reading it for the first time, many notions completely escaped me thus I recommend to re-read the book a few times, while riding, riding, riding at the same time. I appreciated an abundance of mountain bike-specific jargon and some of my advanced amateur freerider friends were intrigued by Nealy's explanation of various advanced moves, which come to them naturally but are so hard to explain. In conclusion, I give this book 4 sprockets (out of 5). Hey, if this was a 5, I would already be sponsored by Fox Racing or Marzocchi. But seriously, I believe this was a worthwhile purchase. I don't know if this is the greatest mountain biking manual ever written, but it was certainly the most helpful one to me. Of course, all the advice of this manual would have been worthless if I have not been following the reading with an actual riding. I am nowhere near a professional, but I sure can pedal with the rest of them, and this book has helped a lot. Thanks, William!
8 of 9 people found the above review helpful.
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This book is a great gift, July 12, 2000
By 12/7 (Reno, NV USA)
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This book was given to me as a gift after I had been riding about a year. I read it from cover to cover with great interest. It has helped me improve my riding skills greatly. I can now ride over logs, do the bunny hop, climb rock steps, and ride stuff that I would have walked a year ago. Now I am re-reading it again and ordering some copies for friends who will also benefit from it. Try it as a gift for a beginner or intermediate rider.
8 of 9 people found the above review helpful.
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Great book for beginners, June 29, 2003
By A Customer
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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
5 of 6 people found the above review helpful.
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Are you Kidding?!, September 13, 2004
By Get out and get muddy (East Aurora, NY)
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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...
4 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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The one book on Mountain Biking you really need., March 13, 1998
By A Customer
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Whether you are an experienced mountain biker, a beginner, or just someone interested in the sport, if you only buy one book - this is it. It's very informative and funny. The information helped me quite a bit years ago when I was a beginner...now I just reread it every year or so for the entertainment.
4 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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Don't go off-road without this book!, November 22, 2000
By snocrvr (Richfield, MN USA)
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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!"
4 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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The Almost-Perfect Mountain Biking Guide!, December 18, 2000
By Mario A. Cerdas (San José, Costa Rica)
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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!
3 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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Don't go off-road without this book!, November 22, 2000
By John C. Anthonisen (Richfield, MN USA)
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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!"
3 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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1992? Good resource. 2010? Not so much., April 15, 2010
By SAL9000 (Seattle, WA USA)
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Note the date of publication - 1992. As such suspension, now not only commonplace but integral to modern techniques of mountain biking, is not discussed. Some of the finer and basic points such as body and pedal position, weight transfer, climbing and crash survival still apply but the more complicated techniques do not. Also, though the illustrations are good at conveying subject matter, the entire text of the book is handwritten script, is incessant with the groin jokes, and features a bit of profanity. At the end of the day, it's cheap, a quick read, and has some good basic pointers, but it's outdated and strives a bit too much to be a comic strip.
3 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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The best "how to" book for all ages, skill levels., September 11, 2001
By A Customer
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This amusing paperback is chock full of everything anyone could want to learn about mountain biking skills. As my husband, who is a long-time motorcyclist and mountain biker, said, "This book contains all the tricks and skills it took me twenty-five years to figure out on my own!" The cartoon style and the writing style are clear, concise and extremely entertaining as well as being very educational. Through the wonderfully clear step-by step cartoons, even someone who cannot read english can learn biking skills from this book.
3 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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 Decent book for a beginner..., June 26, 2001
By A Customer
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WARNING: This book is written like a comic book. It contains illustrations on almost every page and all of the text appears as hand written. The information presented is useful for a beginner rider looking to learn common sense techniques and rules of mountain biking. I would recommend it as a first read if you are patient enough to read a 176 page comic book. The information is often repetitive and the text font (aka MS-Barely-Readable-Scribble 12 pt.) hurts my eyes after a while. I am an intermediate rider and I found much of the information to "common sense" to hold my interest.
3 of 7 people found the above review helpful.
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eBook edition looks horrible, June 8, 2002
By J. Lehtinen (Finland)
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The book itself is excellent, just look the other reviews to find this out. So I just want to point out one thing: Do not buy this book as an eBook! The book has been written by hand and contains a lot of cartoon drawings. Unfortunately adobe reader uses horrible resolution for the graphics (and thus in this case for the texts also). It just looks like the whole book had been faxed to you.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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The book you need to teach yourself to mountain bike, August 9, 2001
By Thom Kobayashi (Austin, Tx)
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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.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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This is still what mountain biking is about, January 27, 2007
By Bo Thomsen (Europe)
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This book will never be dated. It captures the essence of what mountain biking is about. You ride for fun - not for getting the teeny-weenie details just right with the clip of today.
I read this book every time I'm depressed or out with an injury - which means 5-6 times a year :-)
It is still so much fun and the best MTB book ever drawn (and written). If you don't fall in love with this book - go ride on the roads!
2 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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Funny with Great illustrations and Information!, October 26, 2005
By Rod C. (Locust Valley, NY)
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Love this book! It's a classic. I have bought it for many friends when they buy their first mountain bike.
It is massively entertaining as well as very informative.
No boring, long winded explainations, just great illustrations and brief text. Both will make you laugh out loud as well as teach you a great deal.
Even if you've been mountain biking for 20 years, you will love this book.
Rod C. from Long Island, NY... but don't hold that against me!
2 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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The most interesting technical book I've ever read!!!, July 31, 2004
By Rodulfo Araujo Matus (Mexico City, D.F. Mexico)
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Wish every sport had a Neally writing manuals! This is a very enjoyable reading, that takes you through very serious matters like a comic book. It is saving me months of trying to squeeze these riding "secrets" from my expert friends.
2 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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The best how-to mountain bike book ever!, August 6, 2002
By "acidicascetic" (Baltimore, MD United States)
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This book does a fantastic job conveying important concepts of mountainbiking. From fundamentals like how to get on the bicycle to advanced tricks like a rear-wheelie sliding turn to trail maintanence, William Nealy takes a balanced informed understanding of the sport and lays it out it humerous easy to understand illustrations. His wisdom imporved my skills, his wit nearly burst my gut!
2 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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huge amount of important information... and hilarious..., January 11, 2001
By Michael S. Haluska (Alfred, NY United States)
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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.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Essential fundamentals are never outdated., November 9, 2009
By Marionette
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What I love most about this book is it teaches the essential elements about how you balance a bike. This never gets old or outdated. Yes, the newer books are more advanced, but that is a selling point for this book, even if you are not a beginner. Also, the more times and the more different ways you take in information, the better you understand it. Well worth the time spent.
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Solid book, October 30, 2007
By dasn0wman (Brooklyn, NY United States)
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Not sure on negative reviews, but this is solid book on mtn biking. Granted some things are not up-to-date, but c'mon, do you need someone telling you that clipless pedals are the latest and greatest? Duh. The skills taught here are fundamental and very practical. What really separate this book from others is that the author tells it all, his bad experiences, good experiences and how we can learn from them. Very, very useful and will help you avoid countless cuts and bruises you would have gotten had you learned them from experience! And it's so much fun to read because the humor is just hilarious!
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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A Must-Have for the True Enthusiast!, January 24, 2011
By xalexx777
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Really enjoy William (not Bill) Nealy's writing style and illustrations; a combination of quirky humor and solid informational content. The book's a little dated, but still an entertaining piece. Be sure to check out his kayaking book also!
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Very useful, July 26, 2010
By L. Hall
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Had some tricks I learned on my own, but pointed out better when you must use them. Good illustrations and clear writing. Has information that I had not learned in a couple of years of mountain biking that is helping me improve! It is dated with toe clips, but this has not effect on what you learn that I can see. Very helpful overall and friends are borrowing it.
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I am so glad someone told me about this on a ride!, May 24, 2010
By T. B. (New England)
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I would have looked at the publishing date and dismissed this book entirely (and unfairly). I have not ridden single track in over ten years, and mostly got by on general good shape back then. This book is a godsend. 90% of the information and tips inside are timeless. No, it doesn't go into the advances in gear since it was written, but the basic fundamentals are spot on perfect. Do not let the publishing date turn you off, if you are trying to go beyond just rails to trails and into a bit more off road, this is a great resource. It may not be the only book you need, but it is a great starting point.
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William Nealy gets to the heart of bike skills, May 9, 2010
By dmc vt (Vermont)
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I love this book. William Nealy manages to capture the essence of mountain biking skills, and have a lot of fun with it. His drawings are excellent, and funny. Beginners will learn a lot, intermediate and advanced riders will enjoy this book too (just seeing the things we do already, in funny diagrams).
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Mountain Bike!, January 12, 2008
By Martin K. Greer
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In 2008, maybe a little dated as far as things like 'clip-in' pedals, but content and technique is spot on, and very humorous. A worthwhile read every year. I've given a copy to several mtb. riders. A great book to just thumb through all the time. Excellent!
0 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Great book for getting people hooked to mountain biking, May 7, 2012
By hrazi
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This is a great book for anyone getting into Mountain Biking. It is an easy read, with great illustrations. I would recommend the book to anyone picking up mountain biking and want to learn the technical stuff without getting bored!
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