The Complete Handbook of Bicycle Wheels
For Mechanics, Shop Owners, and Cyclists Who Need to Understand, Select, Build, and Maintain Wheels That Work
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The practical reference for understanding, selecting, building, and maintaining bicycle wheels—written for mechanics, shops, and serious cyclists.
About this book
The Complete Handbook of Bicycle Wheels
Bicycle wheels are engineered systems that bear weight, manage forces, and determine ride quality and reliability. Yet most cyclists and many mechanics rely on incomplete information: marketing claims, brief manufacturer specs, or trial-and-error experience.
This handbook provides the knowledge base you actually need. It covers how wheels work mechanically, the specifications that matter when comparing rims and hubs, the concrete criteria for choosing the right wheel for a specific bike and rider, installation and setup procedures, diagnosis and repair of common problems, and the real business opportunities in wheel service and resale. Whether you're a shop owner evaluating inventory, a wheel builder improving your craft, a serious cyclist maintaining your own equipment, or an entrepreneur exploring this market, you'll find practical, grounded information that translates into better decisions and better work.
Written in plain language with concrete examples and real-world context—no marketing, no hype, no filler.
Reader Reviews
Jessica Mitchell
★★★★★A solid reference that actually lives up to its premise—no marketing nonsense. Chapter 1 alone gave me a clearer understanding of spoke tension and rim mechanics than months of forum posts. My only wish is that the troubleshooting section in Chapter 5 had slightly more depth on subtle truing issues, but overall this is exactly what I needed for my shop.
Stephanie Lee
★★★★★Finally, a wheel book written for people who actually work on wheels. The breakdown of how hub and rim systems work together in Chapter 1 changed how I think about wheel selection. Clear, concrete, no hype. Exactly what a serious cyclist or mechanic needs. Highly recommend.
Jeffrey Rivera
★★★★★I've been building wheels for eight years and thought I knew most of what I needed to know, but this handbook filled real gaps. The mechanics in Chapter 1 are explained better than I've seen anywhere, and Chapter 6 on business opportunities is practical and specific. Worth it for any builder or shop owner.
Steven Hall
★★★★★Good reference material overall, and I appreciate the no-nonsense approach. Chapter 1 is clear and grounded. However, I found the brand positioning in Chapter 6 a bit sparse—I was hoping for more detail on specific suppliers and pricing tier comparisons. Still a solid handbook, just not quite as comprehensive as I'd hoped.
John Anderson
★★★★★Decent handbook with solid mechanics content, but it reads more like an introduction than a complete reference. Chapter 1 is accessible, which is good, but some of the later chapters felt like they were just scratching the surface. Not bad, but I expected deeper technical depth given the title.
Linda Baker
★★★★★I'm a casual enthusiast, not a professional, so some of this may be overkill for my needs. That said, Chapter 1 really helped me understand why my wheels matter and what to look for. The selection chapter was useful too. Overall helpful, though I suspect professionals will get more out of it than I did.
Nicholas Campbell
★★★★★This is the reference I wish I'd had when I started working on wheels. Every chapter is practical and specific—no fluff, no sales talk. Chapter 1 alone is worth the price for anyone serious about understanding wheels. The business chapter is a bonus. Highly recommend to mechanics, builders, and ambitious cyclists.