Bicycle Mechanics - New bike needs adjustments?

Hello all, I bought a Trek 1500 not too long ago, and have a question. I took my bike to the lbs I bought it from asking if they could check it over giving it an initial adjustment. The guy just quickly went through the gears, the brakes, and said "nah, nothing needs changed"! Won't every new bike need an initial adjustment? Am I being ripped off of customer service? Should I take my bike elsewhere to get an initial adjustment? Just kind of ticked me off that it seemed he didn't care.

Does it work properly? Theoretically it was adjusted properly when it left the shop

My bike shop offers a free tune-up after 3 months and again after 1 year on a new bike purchase. After 3 months you may need derailer adjustments from cable stretch. But it depends on how much riding you do and how hard you are on the drive train. My last bike was still fine after 3 months (100 miles). My current bike needed adjustments in less than 2 months (600 miles).

Yeah it works correctly. But I'm always running into people on the forums saying that for a new bike, it will always need an initial adjustment, like tightening cables or whatnot.

I bought it in February, have put 800 or so miles on it since.

My Trek 7.3 was looked at for free thirty days after I purchased it. There was nothing wrong then and now 2000+ miles later, it still works fine.

Yeah it works correctly. But I'm always running into people on the forums saying that for a new bike, it will always need an initial adjustment, like tightening cables or whatnot.

If it works right, tightening the cables is going to make it not-work-right. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Some shops pre-stretch cable. They properly set up the brakes and derailers, then pull on the exposed cables and readjust.

Before some of you start the name calling, my LBS does that procedure. I've assembled many bike for them and had to so this procedure.

Have someone knowledgable about bike repair/adjustment check it over. Possible with a real good setup to need very little, but I would check over every item of adjustment and tightening. Esp. check wheel bearing adjustment to make sure it's not too tight, as the damage from that is not easily undone. (q/r hubs should have a small amt of play off the bike, none when mounted).

As a service manager I expected the after purchase check to include at the very least true/round/tension, stem/hb and seat bolts, crank arm and chainwheel bolts, pedals, brake/shift adjustment and all bearing adjustments and of course tire pressure. It was also routine for us to wipe down the bike within reason. Sounds like a lot but should take maybe 5 minutes to check, 10 if minor adjustments are needed.

If you are still unsure take it back and ask the manager or service manager to make sure all the above items are checked.

Some shops pre-stretch cable. They properly set up the brakes and derailers, then pull on the exposed cables and readjust.

Before some of you start the name calling, my LBS does that procedure. I've assembled many bike for them and had to so this procedure.


+1 on this. I was going to say the same. Pre-stretching cables and stressing the spokes followed by a good true job will mean very few, if any "initial" adjustments and has been a practice for me as well, for nearly 20 years now. The fact that your bike does not need any is actually a positive point for staying with your LBS. Sounds like they know what they're doing.

I bought it in February, have put 800 or so miles on it since.

I have a Jamis Eclipse with about 1000 miles on it and it has never needed a single adjustment. Full Ultegra 9 speed with a triple. The only thing done at the 90 day tuneup was correct a slight creak in the stem/hb area. I think this is rare for a new bike but I am going to run with it.

Modern cables really don't stretch enough to notice. If a bike is properly set up when built the only adjusments necessary should be when things like brake pads wear to take up the slack.

If it ain't broke...

Modern cables really don't stretch enough to notice. If a bike is properly set up when built the only adjusments necessary should be when things like brake pads wear to take up the slack.
It ain't so much the stretching of cables that causes things to go out of adjustment as the cable housings settling in to the stops. A good initial set up will ensure the housings are firmly seated lessening the need for that one month tune up.
Dan Burkhart
www.boomerbicycle.ca

All these replies are great! I think I might just watch it close and maybe after summer is over I'll have it looked at for anything suspicious. Thanks everyone!

If you like how it shifts, brakes, sounds, then it's fine. You'll know if it needs tuning up when one of these is a problem.

All these replies are great! I think I might just watch it close and maybe after summer is over I'll have it looked at for anything suspicious. Thanks everyone!

Sounds fine, but I'd still recommend pulling off the wheels and making sure that the bearings spin easily with just a slight amount of play (none when mounted). MANY shops still do not adjust bearings properly when new. It's very likely you will need a bearing adjustment by end of summer as they wear in as well. Happy riding!