General Cycling Discussion - Do you take your bike in to the LBS for a "Tune-up"??

Or do you maybe do your own "Tune-ups"?

In any case - what, in your opinion, constitutes a "Tune-up" in your experience or opinion and how much does it cost?

I`m curious because in my area there are a variety of LBS and every one of them has a different "Tune-up" and prices can vary from $29 to $99 depending on the shop. Sometimes you get more for your money - sometimes you just get an expensive bike wash.

My input? A basic tune-up includes a general cleaning that includes the drivetrain, an overall inspection of the bike with a 45 point written checklist covering everything from tire condition and pressure to headset and wheel bearing play; the adjustment or verification of the brakes, derailleurs and shifters as well as a general lubing that includes the drivetrain. If parts are required that becomes a "repair" situation. A tune-up and inspection here is about $50 and takes about an hour. Greasing wheel bearings and bottom brackets and headsets falls under "teardown and overhaul" and cable replacement is just that "cable replacement".

I`m most interested in hearing from riders and customers rather than mechanics unless you`re talking about your own bikes.

I do my own. Mainly because I'm cheap and I like working on bikes.

What I do once a year (right after the rainy season) is take the bike completely apart clean all the grease and oil off every part. Replace the cables, chain and cassette. Grease each part (that needs grease) and put back together. Makes them ride like new.

I haven't taken a bicycle in to a shop in years.

I married my bicycle mechanic. :D

My team gets free tuneups and maintenance from our shop, so I bring it in once in a while when I don't have time or am too lazy to do it myself.

local shop gives free tuneups b/c I bought it there so sure. I can typically swing by on a ride and they'll give her a once over in about 10 minutes

Yeah I have. The places I trust around here for a 'tune up' charge around $80 though, it's been one of the biggest incentives for me to start learning more about bikes

I do it myself... small or big thing. I just like to tinker... and if I was going to do regular maintenance by someone else it was going to be costly with the number of bikes in our home & distance I ride a week.
Weekly, I just run down and check to see if there is any glaring issues.
Every 3-4 weeks, (about 500 miles) I will do more through cleaning, lubing, and adjustment.
Every other month (about 1000 miles), I do deep cleaning... taking components off and cleaning using ultrasonic cleaner for parts... check tension and truing of wheels... you could call it overhauling.
Real overhauling happens when I have time or one of component feels marginal. I would play with bearings, disassemble/assemble most of parts. I even went as far as overhauling IGH and dynohub.

I do my own work.

I've done all my own work since I started riding in my late teens. I like doing it. Part of the motivation comes from my basic pessimistic nature. I figure if something's going to get screwed up, why pay somebody else when I can screw it up myself?

I still have the lbs do final wheel trueing because he is good and he's cheap.

Burton, The term "tune up" has a floating definition among the bike shops in my area, per what other riders tell me. I do my own work and my idea of a tune up is to basically gut the bike, check the wear/tear/damage, clean/relube all serviceable parts. Prior to reassembly the basic frameset is washed and waxed and inspected. For the bikes I use the most a tune up happens once a year and can take about 2-3 hours. I keep up with chain and wheel maintenance throughout the year.

Modern bicycles are pretty forgiving WRT maintenance and my practice is perhaps overkill, I just don't want to be 50 miles out and have a failure that I could've prevented.

Brad

Sounds like a lotta pampered happy bikes out there so far!

I`m also reading between the lines and guessing that most of you own your own home and have facilities to both store bikes inside as well as work on them.

A serious problem for the family with kids renting an apartment in the city is that either the bikes live on the balcony or regulation don`t permit them in the building at all. In which case they end up chained to a railing out front for the duration of the winter.

So there`s a REALLY big market here for department store bikes. After a couple years when a simple tune-up can`t rescue the condition of a bike thats been left outside in rain and snow it`s simply cheaper to buy another Canadian Tire or K-Mart bike.

Thats where a lot of the LBS get their business for tune-ups from here and some can have a 4 week backlog with 5 mechanics working full time. Thats one of the reasons I do an inspection myself before doing anything. If indications are that there are other serious issues besides what the customer asked for - a quick phone call can save them wasting money unneccesarily and give them the option of buying a new bike should they choose to do so.

The shop makes enough money on accessories and other client - no point just taking someones money and still leaving them with a problem. But I understand that not every place operates like that.

Nope - but if they get swamped I've had my local bike shop bring bikes to me to get tuned up.

I am sorry to say the quality of my work is much higher than the quality of work from the local LBS. Hence, I do all my own work, though that's not my preference. After a 4 hour ride yesterday I swapped a bottom bracket and crank, repositioned - re-tuned the FD bike from a triple to compact, changed chain, and ended up readusting all the brakes. Maybe an hour of my time, If I needed that done by LBS Sat. afternoon, tell me what I'd be looking at...

I do my own. Mainly because I'm cheap and I like working on bikes.

What I do once a year (right after the rainy season) is take the bike completely apart clean all the grease and oil off every part. Replace the cables, chain and cassette. Grease each part (that needs grease) and put back together. Makes them ride like new.

Me too!


I still have the lbs do final wheel trueing because he is good and he's cheap.

This. Sometimes the guy does not charge me because I give him conversation, food and magazines. It pays to look after good folks.

I am sorry to say the quality of my work is much higher than the quality of work from the local LBS. Hence, I do all my own work, though that's not my preference. After a 4 hour ride yesterday I swapped a bottom bracket and crank, repositioned - re-tuned the FD bike from a triple to compact, changed chain, and ended up readusting all the brakes. Maybe an hour of my time, If I needed that done by LBS Sat. afternoon, tell me what I'd be looking at...

Yikes! I`m going to assume that all that wasn`t absoutely neccesary and doesn`t reflect your usual maintenaince after a typical 4-hour ride!

But it would be about an hours work and obviously you`ve equipped yourself to explore possible compinations you wanted to play with. I say obviously because you had the parts on hand to do the swap.

Hard to say what you`d be looking at at a LBS - they`re all different. And actually the only thing that counts is the one you`d be looking at and since you`ve equipped youself - you apparently already know the answer to that one.

Thats where a lot of the LBS get their business for tune-ups from here and some can have a 4 week backlog with 5 mechanics working full time. Thats one of the reasons I do an inspection myself before doing anything. If indications are that there are other serious issues besides what the customer asked for - a quick phone call can save them wasting money unneccesarily and give them the option of buying a new bike should they choose to do so.


Ideally, your service writer should be doing that inspection at intake, and giving the customer their fully-informed options before they leave. A side benefit is that you reduce the number of de facto abandoned bikes clogging your storage. The main thing is to come up with a viable "Plan A" and execute it without having to shelve the bike, call, leave voicemail, take a return call, explain everything, get a decision, get the bike out again... US$60/hour shop time getting eaten up for zero profit... not good. Investing some time at check-in pays dividends.

You also get to enumerate exactly what DOES constitute a tune-up, so the customer neither feels like you're raking them over the coals for a mere derailleur adjustment, nor expects a full overhaul. I'm going to make a laminated full-page illustrated What's A Tune-Up? sheet for our check-in guys to use... hmmm, or a video? Hmmm :)

I took mine into the LBS, as they were running a special. I think all they really did was wash it, as my RD is having issues that it didn't have prior to the the tune-up...

How about putting together a checklist of things to do in a tune-up. Some of us who would like to start working on our bikes could really benefit from everyone's experience.

I started doing my own a few years back or the sole purpose of " I can do it right". I've had too many failed mechanical LBS experiences. Everything from derailleur adjustment/setups to poor wheel builds. I'm not a mechanic, I just found that I can build my own wheels and make adjustments better with a little of my own TLC..........and free.:D

I hear ya. I did wrench in high school and after college. I feel that service is too expensive since I have the skills. I also feel that I only have me to blame when something goes wrong. I don't to frame work except adjusting the rear derailleur, those trame tools are too expensive, so I will go to the shop for that.

When did I last take a bike in for a tune-up? Helluva long time ago.

I do my own and have for many years, I actually worked in a bike shop for a while back in the 70's. I suspect that a tune up varies from shop to shop.

I typically don't do a tune up. I do periodic maintenance and overhauls and not a whole lot in between. My bikes only hit the work stand for 3 reasons: Build up, overhaul, or something isn't working right and needs attention.

I have done it when I was living in a 2 room apartment, bikes were stored in the bathtub, and yes you had to move them to take a shower, but I usually showered at work. I have the luxury of a full shop now and enjoy every minute of it.

As far as a list for a tune up:


Check tires for wear and pressure
Check all bearings for play, adjust as necessary
Wheels
Headset
Crank
Clean chain and drive train
Adjust derailleurs
Clean bike
Oil/grease Cables



Aaron :)

I haven't taken a bicycle in to a shop in years.

I married my bicycle mechanic. :D

You had to go halfway around the planet to get a bike mechanic? :)

Ideally, your service writer should be doing that inspection at intake, and giving the customer their fully-informed options before they leave. A side benefit is that you reduce the number of de facto abandoned bikes clogging your storage. The main thing is to come up with a viable "Plan A" and execute it without having to shelve the bike, call, leave voicemail, take a return call, explain everything, get a decision, get the bike out again... US$60/hour shop time getting eaten up for zero profit... not good. Investing some time at check-in pays dividends.You also get to enumerate exactly what DOES constitute a tune-up, so the customer neither feels like you're raking them over the coals for a mere derailleur adjustment, nor expects a full overhaul. I'm going to make a laminated full-page illustrated What's A Tune-Up? sheet for our check-in guys to use... hmmm, or a video? Hmmm :)

An excellent Idea, I think a sheet for the mechanics and the customers.

Just a drawing of a generic bike with with an arrow showing different things to be done on paper. It would be easy to ad or subtract things to be done on this sheet, if you made cheap copies. You might even want to use one as a slip the customer brings back to get the bike. So everything will be marked for the shop and the customer.

Post a really nice one where the customers can see it. It's possible no one else is doing this.

How about putting together a checklist of things to do in a tune-up. Some of us who would like to start working on our bikes could really benefit from everyone's experience.

The actual tune-up: Bearings, wheel truing, brake system, drivetrain.

Prerequisite to that: inspection and assessment. I'll cut & paste the check-in procedure I made for our check-in guys to ignore...



Check-in checklist Document version 1.10
· Frame & fork inspected for damage at likely areas
· Bearings
o Headset
o Bottom bracket
o Front hub
o Rear hub
· Rear wheel inspected. Look/feel carefully for cracks in paired-spoke wheels:
· Front wheel inspected
· Tires inflated & inspected
· Front brake pads inspected
· Rear brake pads inspected
· Cable-operated brakes:
o Cables & housings inspected
o Brake systems assessed as a whole for needed adjustments (lever play, centering, pad alignment)
· Disc brake systems:
o rotors checked for damage (surface damage, wobble)
o rotors checked for obvious oil/grease contamination
o hydraulic systems checked for abnormal operation that would require bleeding
· Front shifter functionality check
· Rear shifter functionality check
· Shift cables & housings inspected
· Derailleurs:
o Front derailleur inspected
o Rear derailleur inspected
· Chainrings and crank:
o Inspect chainrings for excessive wear, bent rings
o Inspect cranks for signs of damaged tapers/splines

· Chain & cassette inspected
· Get customer's input/hot-button issues
· Wear-&-tear items: handlebar tape or grips, seats, bent-up bottle cages, etc.

Yikes! I`m going to assume that all that wasn`t absoutely neccesary and doesn`t reflect your usual maintenaince after a typical 4-hour ride!

But it would be about an hours work and obviously you`ve equipped yourself to explore possible compinations you wanted to play with. I say obviously because you had the parts on hand to do the swap.

Hard to say what you`d be looking at at a LBS - they`re all different. And actually the only thing that counts is the one you`d be looking at and since you`ve equipped youself - you apparently already know the answer to that one.

+1. Yeah, I think I'd be waiting a week, minimum, and the cost would not be insignficant. And, yes, I was experimenting with a few different cranksets. But I am genuine, I would prefer to drop off my bikes for service from time to time. It seems to be a roll of the dice if I get the bike back without a bunch of drama and the job done right. I would love to have a LBS that could skool me in bike knowledge, and was 100% reliable.

You had to go halfway around the planet to get a bike mechanic? :)

Yep ... to get a decent one!! :D

Do you know how hard it is to find anyone in a bicycle shop that actually knows what they are doing??

Tuneup?

Pfft, I don't think those guys at the LBS even know how to ride a bike, much less tune it up!

It's important to become familiar with the simple systems on a bike so you can diagnose and possibly repair problems when you're on the road. If I'm having trouble doing something I don't hesitate to take the bike into our excellent LBS or back to the tandem dealer some 70 miles away, but I like to be able to do things myself since it's more convenient.

Counter-case: I've just switched my tandem over to a 10 speed using a Jtek Shiftmate (Campy shifters). I can't get the RD shifting absolutely perfect so it's likely I'll take it in, but in the process I've gotten very good at setting up an RD so all is good.

Yep ... to get a decent one!! :D

Do you know how hard it is to find anyone in a bicycle shop that actually knows what they are doing??

Not quite one in a million...:innocent: I come from the school that if you want it done right, learn to do it yourself, but know your limitations.

Aaron :)

Burton, There seems a mild anti LBS theme rising. Even though I do my own work there's a couple of shops I've used, one in particular for items I don't want to buy a tool for that'd only be used a couple of times in my lifetime. A good shop is well worth the expense.Brad

Yep ... to get a decent one!! :D

Do you know how hard it is to find anyone in a bicycle shop that actually knows what they are doing??


:lol:

The actual tune-up: Bearings, wheel truing, brake system, drivetrain.

Prerequisite to that: inspection and assessment. I'll cut & paste the check-in procedure I made for our check-in guys to ignore...

Excellent!

Just wondering, how many employees in your shop? Most around here are small. The service check in person would also be a mechanic, salesman, janitor,etc. Having multiple responsibilities, makes it even more important to have a good tune up list.

I tried once. I made the mistake of taking it early spring. They said they needed to keep it for 2 weeks. I'm learning how to do everything I need to now.

Excellent!

Just wondering, how many employees in your shop? Most around here are small. The service check in person would also be a mechanic, salesman, janitor,etc. Having multiple responsibilities, makes it even more important to have a good tune up list.

At this point, three employees, two co-owners (one of whom is here as day-to-day manager/sales/check-in/ordering). I'm expected to singlehandedly be the store's mechanic and assembler this year, which is going to be tough even though I don't have to wear any other hats (other than being The Computer & Networking Guy). I'm paid by the hour, so if it just takes more hours, at least I stand to make some money this summer.

My input? A basic tune-up includes a general cleaning that includes the drivetrain, an overall inspection of the bike with a 45 point written checklist covering everything from tire condition and pressure to headset and wheel bearing play; the adjustment or verification of the brakes, derailleurs and shifters as well as a general lubing that includes the drivetrain. If parts are required that becomes a "repair" situation. A tune-up and inspection here is about $50 and takes about an hour.

I generally agree with this - maybe add wheel truing. I dunno what you mean by 45-pt. checklist? I usually do it myself (if you do it once a month, it's usually a 5 minute endeavor) but I've seen rates from $20 to $100 for this service (and the more expensive ones aren't necessarily better).
Another thing to try: make sure to take bike to the shop during "off-season" (i.e. winter) -- many times, the mechanic on-duty in the winter is a pro and will be happy to be active during the lull (you'll get better service).
I'd avoid taking it into a shop during peak season (like spring, early summer) because shops are typically swamped and hire anyone to turn the barrel adjusters and call it a tune-up.

I lube up everything and adjust it myself, the only thing I don't have is a trueing stand.

I took my Trek in for a tune-up a few weeks ago. The rear brake was wobbly indicating out of true. The front brake was dragging and I would get a creak in the drivetrain every downstroke of the right pedal when ridden hard.

Now, I just noticed the left front brake is dragging again, so I have a thread going on that to try and fix it.

$75 btw +$5 for the lower brake cable.

Here's your best option .. for about $15 and a little reading (my favorite is Zinn, below) you can learn pretty much everything about your bike ... on simliar note, if anyone here actually has a Zinn bike, please post photos!

193831

I've been doing my own work since 1976 or so... The only thing I don't handle is wheel-building; not enough need. I also maintain our fleet of 25 patrol bikes.

Nope. I've always done my own work, with the exception of aligning the dropouts on my old Specialized Hardrock, and straightening the bent derailleur hanger on my Rockhopper. I had the LBS do those two things.

When I was 6,I got a new Sting-ray for Christmas.Did I take it for a ride? Nope.Took it to the garage and used my dads tools to take it apart,I've been doing my own service ever since.

I figure if other humans can do it,so can I.

I generally agree with this - maybe add wheel truing. I dunno what you mean by 45-pt. checklist? I usually do it myself (if you do it once a month, it's usually a 5 minute endeavor) but I've seen rates from $20 to $100 for this service (and the more expensive ones aren't necessarily better).
Another thing to try: make sure to take bike to the shop during "off-season" (i.e. winter) -- many times, the mechanic on-duty in the winter is a pro and will be happy to be active during the lull (you'll get better service).
I'd avoid taking it into a shop during peak season (like spring, early summer) because shops are typically swamped and hire anyone to turn the barrel adjusters and call it a tune-up.

Thought I explained that my inspection basicly covered the whole bike. Without posting all the gory details - about 8 years ago I came up with a list that covered all major points on any bicycle and determined that the only real conditions that were important to any of them could be classified as SERVICABLE/IN NEED OF ADJUSTMENT/DAMAGED/MISSING.
The kind of brakes or size of wheels were unimportant. Braking surfaces on rim brakes were wheel rims. On disk brakes they were rotors. Both were braking surfaces. Both used brake pads.

The result was a list that just needed a check mark in the appropriate box and the information was transferable to both the customer if they wanted a second opinion or to any mechanic that would actually be doing the work.

I have to agree with a lot of the opinions already expressed in this thread. Its tough to find a decent LBS with mechanics that actually know what theyLre doing. Its also true that lots of bicycle shops hire untrained labor at minimum wage and they deliver accordingly.

Its also true that customers that are actually willing to pay for decent service are a rare breed. Most seem to feel that they can do a great job with whatever they happen to have in the garage. Maybe its just that they can`t tell the difference.

I`ve personally spent thousands of dollars on specialized tools and more on training and as far as I know - am one of the highest paid techniciens in the city. It doesn`t matter to many people - they just want to know if I`ll do the job cheaper than the guy down the street.

But every once in a while I do get a interesting experience. After winning out in a bid to provide technical support on prototypes for a private brand of bicycles - I was told that although my price per hour was about double that of anyone else - it actually looked like I was the only one that actually understood the issues involved. A year later Those people still have the same opinion and we`re still doing business. And then there`s the odd client that I make a point of doing a little extra for if things aren`t busy. So I put in extra time -- not extra parts. And on several occasiona I`ve gotten the same reactions: "What did you do? The bike never ran this well when it was new!"

So personally I don`t take anything too seriously in this business.And particularly not on this forum. I`ve seen some posters that want to make an engineering exercise out of buying a $14 pair of handlebars and other experts that apparently don`t know how to tape a pair of handlebars. None of its going to change my life and I`ll probably be on here a lot less often over the summer because I`m already oerbooked and just won`t have the time.

But I do expect to have a couple personal projects going and may post some photos. Nothing groundbreaking - but maybe fun combinations. And definately suitable as a ride out to chase down an ice-cream.

After dropping a couple bikes off I basically felt that they really didn't do that much at all to them in regards to tuneups. On the other hand, there wasn't really much wrong with them.. I just wanted to try out the shop and get the groovy satisfaction of a real mechanic checking out my bike.

The kids there are obviously familiar with the showroom bikes but anything vintage forget about it. When I went back for the PX10e I got alot of grumbling about how outdated and "OLD" it was. For any serious riding I was instructed to seriously consider buying one of the new Trek's on the floor. I bought my lady a WSD City/Path bike and honestly wouldn't mind one of those Trek FX hybrids but you know.. maybe someday when the Peugeot cracks and becomes a wall ornamental.

I'm doing my own work these days. Self satisfying, therapeutic and rewarding.

Of course, one day the mafac might fall off, throw me over the handlebars and under a bus but hey... that's why I wear a helmet.

At the beginning of every season (late March or April), I take my bicycle in to the LBS for a "tune-up". After sitting in cold storage (and I do mean cold) during a long winter, I need to make sure that it is both operable and roadworthy before riding it again. Of course, I take it to an LBS that does good work, staffed by people I can trust, and doesn't cost too much. A tune-up consists of a list of things I ask them to do. If there is something they discover that I missed, I have them do that.

I ride a 1990 Trek Antelope that I had purchased when it was new. It is now over 20 years old. My taking it in for a tune-up each year and for periodic upkeep has kept it in good riding condition.

My bike shop gives free tune ups for one year! They fixed my loose headset and tuned everything for free!

Sounds like a lotta pampered happy bikes out there so far!

I`m also reading between the lines and guessing that most of you own your own home and have facilities to both store bikes inside as well as work on them.

A serious problem for the family with kids renting an apartment in the city is that either the bikes live on the balcony or regulation don`t permit them in the building at all. In which case they end up chained to a railing out front for the duration of the winter.

So there`s a REALLY big market here for department store bikes. After a couple years when a simple tune-up can`t rescue the condition of a bike thats been left outside in rain and snow it`s simply cheaper to buy another Canadian Tire or K-Mart bike.

Thats where a lot of the LBS get their business for tune-ups from here and some can have a 4 week backlog with 5 mechanics working full time. Thats one of the reasons I do an inspection myself before doing anything. If indications are that there are other serious issues besides what the customer asked for - a quick phone call can save them wasting money unneccesarily and give them the option of buying a new bike should they choose to do so.

The shop makes enough money on accessories and other client - no point just taking someones money and still leaving them with a problem. But I understand that not every place operates like that.

Buy a tarp for this sorta thing...wrap the bike REALLY well, and you shouldnt have any major problems from season to season. Had a buddy of mine, who used to do that in Michigan all the time, never had a problem with anything. He'd take the handlebars and wheels off, wrap them separately, then, alongside the frame, in a water resistant tarp, then, tape it up. Worked like a charm, never had 1 problem with it.

Once you learn to do your own work, the term "tune up" loses meaning. I fix things when they go out of adjustment. Otherwise, I ride the bike.

I usually take mine in after attempting to adjust it myself. I dunno, I am pretty mechanical but it is soooo difficult for me to get things perfect. I can mess with my shifters for hours, not be happy with it. I take it to my LBS, the wrench puts it up on the stand, adjust a few things, walks around it in reverse doing some chant, takes it off the stand and its perfect. I think the wrench has the magic and I dont. So I take mine in.