Mountain Bike Maintenance – Page 4

Average Cost of a Bike Tune-Up: And What is Included Whether you have a Road Bike, Mountain Bike or Hybrid, we all know they require regular and seasonal maintenance to ride properly. But before you load up for quick service trip to your local bike shop, you may be wondering "what is the average cost of a Bike Tune-up?" Depending on your area, the average bike tune-up costs anywhere between $60 and $100. Most shops offer two options - A Minor/Basic Tune-up that costs $55 to $89 and a Major Tune-up that typically costs between $119 and $150. Cost often depends on the services included in the tune-up. Why Get One? If you're looking for this information, chances are you view your bike as a worthwhile investment. Regardless, the high costs could be a deterrent and you may be wondering why your bike needs a tune-up in the first place. Just like cars or heavy machinery, Bikes need regular maintenance to perform at their best. Not only do Tune-ups ensure your bike is performing at its best, they catch any potential safety issues or repairs and extend the life of your bike overall. With any mechanism consisting of metal and moving parts, proper lubrication and fitting prevents any unnecessary wear and ensures correct operation. Whether your bikes trucking through the mud or cruising on a sidewalk, the elements will work their magic and can cause damage if not assessed. Tune-ups often include a thorough cleaning to mitigate these issues. One of the most important reasons to get a bike tune-up, is that they often catch potential problems before they become expensive or even dangerous. While the cost of a bike tune-up may be more than you expect, they will definitely save you money in the long run. Plus, your bike will be riding smoother than the day you bought it! What a Bike Tune-up Includes While services vary shop to shop, bike Tune-ups include all the necessary adjustments to keep you riding smooth and safely. Most shops will offer Minor Tune-ups and Major Tune-ups that differ, however, most Bike Tune-ups include the following: Check Tire pressureAdjust Gears, Brakes and CablingDrivetrain ServiceClean and Degrease ChainClean and Degrease BikeMinor Wheel TruingAdjust Headset and Bottom BracketCheck and Tighten all screws and boltsLubrication of moving partsSafety Check Where basic tune-ups typically consist of minor cleaning and adjustment, Major tune-ups usually involve replacing cables, chains and cogs, and even disassembly for cleaning and lubrication. How Long it Takes Thinking about taking your bike in for a tune-up? Before you head to your LBS assuming it will be a quick trip, you need a good expectation as to how long your bike tune-up will take. While the timeline ultimately depends on how many bikes are ahead of you in the Service Department, tune-ups are usually completed in a matter of hours. You can expect a basic tune-up to take 30-60 minutes and a major tune-up could run closer to 60-120 minutes. How Often Should You Get One? If you're an avid cyclist, putting in hundreds of miles each week, you will need a tune-up more often than the average weekend rider. It is recommended that you get a bike tune-up at least once a year. Factors that affect this number are how often you ride, what conditions you ride in, and how your bike is stored. Riders will get a Spring Tune-up after storing their bike over the winter. For those riders who choose to brave, not only the cold, but also the harsher elements like mud and rock, you may find yourself needing tune-ups twice a year. The good thing, is that most cyclist do their own maintenance and tune-ups, especially if they consider themselves frequent riders. This is a great way to save on costs, and learn more about your bike and how to maintain it. Related Articles How Much Does a Decent Mountain Bike Cost – All You Need to KnowMountain BikeHow Much Does a Decent Mountain Bike Cost – All You Need to Know5 Essential Stretches for CyclistMountain Bike, Road Bike5 Essential Stretches for CyclistHow Long do Mountain Bike Tires Last?Mountain BikeHow Long do Mountain Bike Tires Last?