Road Cycling - LBS - Free tuneups for life or one year

Hello everyone,

I have a couple of local Trek dealers (one is less than a mile while another is 5 miles) and a Giant dealer (less than a mile). I have nothing to complain about as they all seem friendly, have been in business for a long time (apart from the closest Trek dealer, very small operation).

The Trek dealers are offering 1 year tuneup while the Giant dealer offering tuneups for as long as I own the bike. The models I am considering are:

Trek 1000
Trek 1000c
Trek 7xxx series (although I don't like MTB bars so may not consider this further)
Giant OCR3 (the only one I have testrode thus far)

Do you guys see value in lifetime tuneups versus the first year? The answer is not obvious because I still pay for parts whose prices could be inflated etc. for a dealer to recoup the labor costs.

Are the services offered worthwhile or is it something I can easily do myself?

What would you guys rather buy? Trek or Magic?

Thanks,

Sunny

Our local offers 6 months "adjustments" when you buy a new bike. I tried to talk him into more, considering I was looking at a $1500 bike instead of a $500 mountain bike, but he said that's their policy. Around here, also, tuneups usually are in the range of $70, so if this is what he's talking about, it would be a good value; butttt if you like the Trek's better, no amount of free service might make you happy with the bike.

Buy the bike you like, don't worry about the tune ups. After the frist year will start to do most of the work on your bike yourself. I have only had my bike in the shop once in the last three years.

Buy the bike you like, don't worry about the tune ups. After the frist year will start to do most of the work on your bike yourself. I have only had my bike in the shop once in the last three years.

I testrode the Trek 1000c and I have to say I was disappointed, compared to the Giant OCR3. But, it's been over a week since I rode the Giant so I don't really know for sure. I am going to the shop again to see if the OCR3 is really the one!!!

Having said that, I also enjoyed the Trek 7300FX. It's Deore shifting (is that good, how does it compare to Sura/Suma?) and I felt that it shifted better than the Trek 1000c but that could be due to tuning that was necessary.

Anyway, two different animals but:

I like the comforts of 7300FX, slightly dislike the flatbar (like a MTB)
I love the speed of OCR3 but driving on the streets of Chicago/Evanston, full of potholes in certain areas, seems to be my issue, which will be part of my riding. Love the drop down handle bars but sure do feel every bump at my age (38) due to the skinny tires.

The Trek guy seemed to be pushing me to a Bianchi (around 700 dollar range), felt that steel might be better for what I was looking for. Can't test it cos' the frame's too big for my size which means deposit and restocking fee if I don't like it.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...aargghhh

Getting there.

Sunny

Well you need ask the question: What am I buying the bike for?
If you want a road bike for fast riding and training, then the OCR sounds like the best. If you are in to comfort riding then go with the Treks.
Most road bike will hold up well to pot holes, you just need to be careful. You can always go up a size or two on the rubber, a nice 23-25 mm will soften up the ride, you can also look at a low psi tire. The Tufo can run at about 80 psi.

my understanding of a tune-up is a full cleaning, adjustment and lubing of a bike. if your giant dealer offers that for life, then i wonder if he'll be in business long enough to honour the offer. a full tune-up is a pretty labour-intensive process, even if doesn't involve repacking bearings and rebuilding wheels. it's where most bike shops make most of their profit.

My Giant dealer also carries Jamis bikes so I had a chance to test-ride the Jamis Satellite. I felt that the ride was not that harsh compared to the OCR3 (steel versus Aluminum), the handling was great etc. I think they are both good bikes with the OCR3 slightly more edgy and the Jamis slightly more comfortable (even though the OCR had slightly bigger tires, 25 v/s 23).

Looking for a better deal at this point, the guy won't even throw in a kickstand for free.

I like one feature on the OCR3, the brakes are also on the top as well as drop down (in the shifters). Both dealers seem to think it could be done for about $30 (parts) on the Jamis. Think I saw a thread on here for this.

Re: free tuneup for life, here's what it entails on both bikes at multiple shops:

- Free truing
- Free inspections, adjustments to make your bike running like new
- Does not include cost for parts especially for wearable items like brake pads, tires etc.

Even the dealer admitted that he does it to merely keep you coming into the shop. Heck, I bought brake pads for my older MTB from this guy and I haven't even bought a bike yet.

I am sorry to report that the only reason I have eliminated the entire Trek line (for myself) is because they don't make a single steel bike and that seems to be the frame that suits me best as I am willing to give up some speed for comfort and yet retain the road configuration.

So, anyone like the Jamis line, satellite, quest? Bianchi Brava? Fuji has an offering as well in the Reynolds 20 (or is it 520) steel frame?

Thanks,

Don't worry about the tune up's. From past experience, I usually have better luck doing it myself anyway.

What the LBS means by lifetime ajustments are usually front and rear deraileur, and maybe the brakes. At least that's the policy of where I bought my bike... and even so, these minor adjustments are inexpensive even when done at the shop. One local LBS will do them for $5 more a major ajustment, and they don't charge quick barel adjustments. This is for ANYONE.

The 30 day tune up is not the same thing as adjustments. They usually will check the brakes, examine the frame and wheels/tires, make minor adjustments and clean things up/lube the chain.. etc. Tuneups can be $40+..

Ok, decided to go with the Jamis satellite (on order) although there were several great offerings for under $1200. Can't wait to upgrade but that would mean spending more time on this bike than I have in the past.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Sunny