I bought a new bike in May. The dealer offers two free tune-ups. When would be the best time to do this? After so many miles and then next spring? Next spring and the spring after?
Thanks
kajero

Well thats kind of lame. Most shops offer a free tune up after 30 days (the break in period, especially of the cables). Then free tune ups for the next year. If you only have to, I'd have one done after that 30-60 day period, then maybe after a year or so if you know how to do basic maintenance yourself. If not, then... well, I don't know what to do. Sounds like you got screwed to me.

2 free tune-ups? that's pretty good. not the best, but fine.

If you've been riding a lot and keeping it in clean yourself, and plan to winter bike, save one of those tune-ups for after winter. Winter is by far the worst time on bikes.

you could use one now, but if it ain't broke, don't get it repaired.

If there's no time limit, get them the first two times things start acting funny. Brakes, shifters, etc.

I would agree with that. If you aren't having any issues with your bike theres no reason to tune it up. Just make sure to keep the chain cleaned and correctly lubed.

Search around this forum, read up on Park Tool and sheldonbrown.com, and tune up your bike yourself when it's needed. Regardless of how many free tune ups for however long you get, you'll have to pay for them eventually unless you learn to DIY.

Alas, I think I will be what the call a checkbook mechanic. I have no mechanical ability what so ever. In fact, I even had trouble figuring how to use the air pump.

As suggested if it aint broke then don't tune it up is like saying "
if I have checks in my check book then I can still write checks".

Firstly, a Tune-up is really a very basic adjustment to the cables, crankset, some lube adjust the brakes.
THEY WILL NOT FIX THINGS beyond that (usually).
Based on location a simpleor basic tune-up is about $40-60. Mostly covering what I stated, maybe slight true to one wheel, maybe.

If you maintain the bike, clean, lube, wash it down correctly the chain, cassette, cassette, wheels, pedals, cables will last a long time without any replacement of parts.
Okay, how long is that?
Figure 5,000 miles plus before you bring it in. This is not a written rule but a general rule.
I ride 5-7000 mile on one bike yearly and usually swap the cassette and chain yearly, plus all cables and brake pads. I ride 12 months a year in NYC, not in snow, but wet conditions don't always keep me off the bike.

okay, you rather pay for the fixes, thats okay. But learn how to keep it on the road and you will live longer. Its a machine that you sit on. Hate to have your chain gunked up and break or wheel go flat for lack of air.

remember, the only thing between you and the ground is the bike.

Good luck

robert

I promise you, you really can learn to do a surprising amount of maintenance on your bike. The most common things to need maintenance are actually much easier than a cheap-o air pump.

How many times do you bring your bike into the shop in a year???

I think twice in a year for most riders would be more than enough. Especially when you consider that many times when you bring a bike into the shop, you need to leave it for a couple of days before they get to it.

My shop considers tune ups as pretty much any problem that isn't crazy major. Like, if you need a wheel trued, they will do that for free, if you need something checked out, like a headset adjustment, thats free for a year, ect. If your fork gets bent, then that will cost you though I'm sure, I haven't tested that though lol. I love my LBS and will hopefully be working there starting this winter.

Guess I better get a book on bicycle mechanics. Maybe I can try to figure it out. A LBS offers classes in bike maintenance but I always have conflicts.

Before we get a bunch of irrelevant response (oh woops), let's define what a "tune-up" means at your LBS, please.

I think it would be good to mention the things a bike rider/owner needs to do themselves between tune-ups as well:

Check brakes before each ride, adjust using the barrel adjuster if neded.

Clean the bike after every couple of rides.

Clean and lube chain regularly.