Some types of instruction and repair manuals date to as early as the 19th century. Steam engine inventor James Watt wrote one of the earliest instruction manuals in the early 1800s for an office copy machine he invented. He glued his instruction sheet directly to the device.

Henry Clyde wrote an early manual for beginning cyclists in 1895 called Pleasure Cycling. Topics included choosing a bicycle, taking care of a bicycle, clothing, and equipment.

Instructional manuals are generally in booklet form and contain essential information for owning, operating, and repairing bicycles. They familiarize the rider with a bicycle’s features and help them understand how their bike works and the minor maintenance requirements to keep it in peak performance.

Manuals provide detailed step-by-step illustrated instructions for adjusting, maintaining, and overhauling every part of all types of bicycles. They are written for bicycle enthusiasts interested in do-it-yourself maintenance and repair, racing and touring cyclists who might have to make emergency repairs and adjustments, and professional mechanics who service bikes made in the United States and other countries.

Owner’s manuals, containing vital operational information, are simplified into layperson's terms for consumers. Repair and service manuals are more technical for engineers and mechanics. Bicycle manuals also cover riding rules and safety.

Factory service manuals are the most technical. They were created for use at OEM (original equipment manufacturer) dealerships. They focus on the finer points of maintenance and cover such things as diagnostic charts, maintenance timings, repair procedures, and service specifications.

Manuals from the 1940s are generally in black and white with illustrations. From the 1950s forward, manuals were produced with color, more stylized covers, and photographs.

Bicycle manuals also document evolving standards in the design of braking systems, gears, pedals, seats, wheels, and other features.

What is the Value of your Bicycle Manuals? V​iew more in our Bicycle Manuals Price Guide.

Bicycle manufacturers' instructional manuals are in booklet form and written about owning, operating, and repairing bikes. Some manuals focus on one component, such as the braking system, gears, or wheels.

Collectors generally seek instruction, repair, or owner’s manuals for their specific bicycle, whether it’s a 10-speed, BMX bike, children’s bike, fat bike, e-bike, mountain bike, or road cycle.

Compared to other materials used for display purposes, a manual's condition is less critical, as most collectors only want the information it contains. However, completeness is vital; missing or heavily soiled pages decrease the manual's value.

Find the Value of your Bicycle Manuals. WorthPoint is the largest resource online for identifying, researching and valuing antiques. Explore over 425 Million “sold for” prices with item details and images.

A bicycle manufacturer’s name is typically featured on the manual's cover or the copyright or title pages. Manuals usually have a company's copyright and publication date.

Elgin's marks can be found on the bicycles featured in brochures. These marks are generally on nameplates on the bar above the front tire. This early mark features all capital block letters, "MADE IN U.S.A." at the top, "ELGIN" across an Art Deco-style "V" on top of a circle, and "SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO." across the bottom. This mark has "ELGIN" written inside a V-shape. Elgin used both logos from the 1920s to 1947.

J.C. Higgins’ company mark is a handwritten “J.C. Higgins.” Bicycles may also have this mark on a nameplate above the front tire in all capital block letters, "MADE IN U.S.A." at the top, "J.C. HIGGINS" across an Art Deco-style "V" and circle, and "SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO." across the bottom. These were used from around 1947 through the 1950s.

Huffy Corporation's "HUFFY" mark in capital letters has been used since 1953. It includes "HUFFY" written in capital letters across a larger letter, "H," which can be inside an oval or a cylindrical shape.

Pope Manufacturing Company’s mark for its Columbia-brand bicycles is a stylish handwritten “Columbia.” Pope used this from approximately 1878 to 1915. After the company went bankrupt and reorganized as The Westfield Manufacturing Company in 1916, that company continued to use this logo through 1991.

Vintage Schwinn Bicycle Company brochures have this handwritten logo, used from 1895 to 1982. Many will also include this curved circle quality seal mark featuring "SCHWINN" written like a cross, "QUALITY" written at the top, and "CHICAGO" written on the bottom. It was in use from 1930 to 1982.

Other marks, specific to other manufacturers and special releases and less, may be found in WorthPoint's M.A.P.S. database.

Identify your Bicycle Manual Symbols.

In the WorthPoint Library

Bicycles & Tricycles: An Elementary Treatise on Their Design and Construction, with Examples and Tables by Archibald Sharp.

Velocipedes, Bicycles, and Tricycles: How to Make and How to Use Them by G. Routledge & SonsVelox.

Books and Periodicals

Bicycle Repair Manual by Chris Sidwells.

How to Restore Your Collector Bicycle by William M. Love.

The Complete Bike Owner’s Manual: Repair and Maintenance in Simple Steps by Claire Beaumont and Ben Spurrier.

Vintage Bicycles: How to Find and Restore Old Cycles by Gianluca Zaghi.

Web Resources

Inside the World of Instruction Manuals www.bbc.com.

Manuals and Instruction Booklets/User Guide www.worthpoint.com.

Who Writes the User Manuals Found in the Industry’s Bike Boxes? cyclingindustry.news.

Related Dictionary Pages: Bicycle Manufacturers - Brochures, Bicycle Manufacturers - Magazines, Bicycle Manufacturers - Posters.