Is a bicycle tune-up worth the money? Absolutely, when you consider what goes into a properly tuned bike, and how well it will work after the service is completed.
Tune-ups and fees associated with them very from shop to shop, so it's a good idea to compare not only the price, but what is included. The quality of service and the workmanship are also important.
When we perform a Deluxe Tune-Up at Rapid Transit, a bicycle gets the mechanic's undivided attention for 2-3 hours. After going over the bike with you, recommending replacement parts, and writing up the cost of the repair, the mechanic will take your bike through the following procedure:
Cleaning and degreasing (aka. The Bike Spa). Your bike will be soaped and scrubbed from top to bottom. The chain, chainrings, freewheel, derailleurs, brakes and rims will be thoroughly degreased and dried. The chain and other key parts of the drivetrain will be treated with a high-quality lubricant.
The Bike Spa
Drivetrain. People who use their bikes heavily find that parts of the drivetrain need to be replaced periodically. If the chain is worn, no amount of lubrication will restore it to it's original functionality. Sometimes a worn chain contributes to excessive wear on the rear cassette, and, in extreme cases, front chainrings. The labor for servicing and replacing these parts is included in the Deluxe Tune-Up. (More on drivetrain maintenance here).
Wheels. After your bike has been cleaned, we will move on to the wheels. We'll adjust the external tension on the bearings of both wheels, and dish the wheels, which involves centering the rims perfectly on the axle. Finally, we true the wheel by precisely tensioning the spokes to make sure the rims are straight and will stay that way.
Headset and bottom bracket. Next, we adjust the external tension on the bearings inside the headset (between the handlebar and the fork of your bike) and the bottom bracket (inside the shell between the crank arms). These bearings, along with the wheels, take a real beating even during normal riding, and the correct tension on these bearings will maximize their lifespan. Even newer sealed bearing systems require servicing, including making sure that they are properly and securely retained, and some have a degree of adjustability.
Gears and Brakes. This is the most "touchy-feely" part of the tune-up. The mechanic will spend an untold amount of time coaxing these parts into submission (often muttering invectives). If necessary, cables and brake pads will be replaced. The brakes will be aligned with the rims, and "toed" to prevent squeaking. The mechanic will adjust the cable tension and the position of the brake arms to make your rear brake quicker and stiffer, and your front brake a little softer, so you don't go flying over the handlebars when you brake.
Some repairs call for extreme measures...
The mechanic will also replace and/or lubricate the derailleur cables, set the cable tension and adjust positioning and the limit screws on the derailleus, to make sure the gears are shifting quickly and accurately, and the chain doesn't skip off the cogs.
Safety Check. The mechanic will fill up the tires, and check the safety and secure attachment of all the parts and accessories on you bike, making sure that nothing is worn or loose, or could contribute to an accident or fall.
Test Ride. Finally, the mechanic will test ride your bike to check if all that work paid off. Any problems will be corrected, and then a bike will be double-checked by a second technician.
The tune-up described above is suitable for heavily-used bikes. Lighter versions of the services are available for lighter riders (click).
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