baldsue

I commute 20 miles a day and took my bike into the shop for a "major tune-up" as it's written on the ticket because I'm over my first 1000 miles on the bike and it needed some adjustments.

After getting the bike home, I notice the chain is as gritty as when I dropped the bike off at the LBS.

Does a tune-up not include cleaning a chain?

scoatw

Go here and learn how to do that stuff yourself. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/ Get yourself a chain cleaning tool. The chain is the most important part on a bike. You'll save a lot of $$ by learning things yourself.

Bob T

Here is how the mobile bike service that I use defines "tune-up":

- Complete bike wash and inspection.
- Wheel truing.
- Brake adjustment.
- Derailleur adjustment.
- Headset and bottom bracket adjustment, if necessary.
- Lube cables, chain and derailleurs.

baldsue

Thanks for the break down, Bob T.

I think I was totally ripped off. I was willing to keep my LBS busy in their slow season but if they only want to take my $81 and not do any of the work then I guess I'll either learn to do it myself or find another LBS who will do the work I ask them to do. I would really rather have someone else do it...

I_bRAD

Tune up includes whatever the shop says it includes. Its up to you to ask what they do.
I would say a tune up typically includes a chain wipe down and lube. Not necessarily a complete scrub down.

If you're not happy with what they did, then tell them!

duffer1960

Yep. Service like that from a 'good LBS' brought me to.... here and owning my own tools. Far less difficult & complicated than a car, and can lift the whole thing with one arm .

M_S

Bob T's breakdown is basically how it went at the shop I've worked in. We'd also check for any problems, and if something needs more serious repair or replacement, we'd contact the owner before proceding. Pretty standard.

Edit: It's also possible it was just an honest mistake. Like in any workplace wires can get crossed. Talk to the shop and explain the problem. There's a good chance they'll be embarrassed and fix it for you, maybe even give you a discount next time. Especialy if you're nice about it

Nozzle

FWIW-

Just took my bike in today for something of a "tune-up"... adjusted all 4 brake pads, tightened up all cables, trued both wheels and aligned. I was out the door for $20.

coldfeet

Ask them what a tune up is supposed to include and cost, if that doesn't match what happened to you, then definitely complain. If it does match, still complain and go somewhere else next time.

baldsue

Thanks for all your replies. I will inquire in the morning about what's included in a "major tune-up".

In the meantime, my bike is now sparkly and grit-free as I did all the work I had expected the LBS to do. I can do the work. I just didn't want to and thought my laziness was an opportunity to support the LBS. That shop hasn't been terribly good to me, even after I've dumped piles of cash on them in the last 5 months for various parts/bikes/services. It really might be time to search for another LBS. There is no shortage of them within a 20 mile radius of my home.

slcbob

$81 damn well better include a clean chain at the end of the transaction. Yes, you got screwed.

Too bad you tampered with the crime scene, but good luck with whatever resolution you pursue.

axelfox

This is also a good site: https://bicycletutor.com/

Nerdanel 

FWIW I just got a $50 tune up and the chain & drive train came back immaculate.

Zero_Enigma

I forgot the website but I was talking to a random rider a while ago and while taking to them the convo shifted to LBS repairs and shops. This rider opened up his wallet and said he keeps a business card sized card in his wallet saying 'Bike Shop Reviews' or 'Bike Shop Reviews Online' or 'GTA Bike Shop Reviews' I forgot but he said that when he's in a LBS talking and such before paying for a service he makes sure when he opens his wallet that card is plain and clear while he's looking for his payment option and he said it has sparked some convos with the LBS's before and kind of a 'keep them honest' knowing that they're being reviewed and watched online.

Most I can find is this link. You might want to try that same tactic with the business card in the wallet flashing while looking for your money. https://bikeshops.mtbr.com/

Never tried it myself but reading some of the stories here gave me a flashback to that random encounter. I can't find the link I wrote down from him but that's all I can remember. Who knows, might be a good tactic.

JeffS

Completely depends on the shop. I think most have pre-defined packages (anything from adjust a few cables, to complete disassemble, clean and rebuild). Next time I would ask for a breakdown of what I was paying for since "tuneup" is such a vague term.

Throwmeabone

This might help

littlefoot

Just my take, but if you want to support a LBS, buy components from them(within reason they will generally try and compete with Internet I find). I generally do 90% of the work on my bikes, I do farm out major wheel work to the LBS but that's about it.

A 'major' tune up I'd hope would include a decent 'on frame' chain cleaning and lube. I do a few freinds bikes for tasty malt beverages in trade and when I do anything that's gonna take me more than 10-15 minutes the chain is gonna get some attention.

benhenley

Tune-Up at mine does cable, brake, dérailleur adjustments and a quick chain lube. They run through a checklist to make sure that everything works. It costs $50.

They also have a major tune-up. Includes all the above plus cassette, chainrings, chain scrubbing, cleaning, and lubing. It costs $100.

dlester

When I read these threads I just feel insanely lucky with the relationship I have at my LBS. It is the shop where I purchased both my road and my mountain bikes, and they get tuneups every spring (though those cost around $30 not $81, which is nuts). I ride or bring in my bikes whenever I feel the need. If they replace something, anything, I pay for the part but they rarely ever charge me labor. If something goes out of alignment during the year between tuneups they will gladly re-adjust and that never costs anything either.

littlefoot

Yeah 81 bucks from what it sounds like you got ripped off. Got another LBS? try them next time...or like many of us are saying and obviously as you say do your own work...well then do it. I got 3 LBS where I live, and I consider myself fortunate. One is within a 2 mile ride other two aren't nearly as close by anymeans...I can't do proper wheel work, I can make a wheel work...but I don't put alot of faith in the durability.

Hence I farm wheel work out to a shop across town(where my housemate can take them on his way to work)...now if I was still on that side of town, I'd probably het the guy to work on my rigs(in an effort to support him)....but most basic bike maintenance is a no brainer if you got a stand and a few tools. Zinns book and Sheldon taught me all I need to know.

Not trying to flame or attack but if you are paying 81 bucks for tune up you'd be better served buying a work stand( think my first was 30 bucks) an allen pack,screwdriver. and a on frame chaincleaner....probly be cheaper. Sheldon is free via the tubes...Zinn might set you back 20 bucks.

my$ .02 worth.

mike

I would say that if your bicycle does not have any issues that you the owner/rider know about, then the basic tune-up doesn't have much value.

A complete tune-up, in my opinion, includes cleaning + greasing of all bearings or replacement of cartridge bearings, replacement of brake pads, replacement of chain, along with all the superficial stuff in the basic tune-up.

Most of what is included in the basic packages is more of a bath and massage than anything of real value.

ItsJustMe

It sounds like they just did adjustments as necessary. Heck, my LBS throws the first of those in for free on even the cheapest $250 bike purchase. Kind of a ripoff to charge you $81 to turn a few bolts and not even clean the chain.

I've never taken my bike in for any kind of service (not even the one that was free), because they can't get to it immediately and I can't wait around for them to do it. Also, I hate to have other people do stuff that I can do myself.

baldsue

When I dropped my bike off at the LBS I ticked off a list of things that needed to be attended to, cleaning the chain being one of the items. The guy wrote down on the ticket "major tuneup". I assume that cleaning the chain should then fall under that umbrella. They also redid some cabling so the cost breakdown was $20 parts, $60 labor, $1 tax.

There's some note about adjusting the front fender, which if they did, was pointless because the front fender always gets mucked up when I put the bike in my car to haul it to the shop and back home again.

I still haven't made the phone call yet this morning to find out exactly what was done for the $81. The cables were done. But nothing other than that is obvious to me. The bike was as filthy when I picked it up as when I dropped it off. I had just finished a ride in the rain before I took it in so it was pretty filthy.

riddei

This is the pricing and contents of one of the LBS's in my neck of the woods.

https://www.backbaybicycle.com/services.htm

VolGirl

My shop has had some turnover in mechanics for the last couple of years which can be really aggravating. But it has has the same manager who also happens to be the one who sold me my bike. I finally learned NOT to take my bike in on Fridays as that's his day off. If I take it in for some niggling problem while he's there, it gets fixed on the spot. If it's Friday, it gets put in line.