QUESTION: What’s an average bike tune up cost? I took mine into my local shop and I was shocked by how much they wanted just for the most basic tuneup. But it was printed right on the wall so that was their real price! Is it really more than $100 to get a bike tune up? – Eric B
ANSWER: Believe it or not, your quoted tune up cost was probably in line with the average, at least in any major city. I checked six different local repair options in Dallas, Texas, and here are the prices I saw in mid 2022.
REI: Basic bicycle tune up $90 Complete safety inspection, frame and wheel cleaning, and adjustments to brakes, drivetrain, bearings and wheel true to keep everything working smoothly.
Bike Mart: Basic Tune Up, $90 Lube Necessary Moving Parts, Adjust Brakes & Shifters, True Wheels Wipe Down, Bike Adjustments Tested, Labor For Tire & Tube Replacement
Preston Hollow Bikes: The Plus tune up, $89. (The lowest level didn’t adjust brakes and gears.) Wash, Lube all parts, Tires aired to proper PSI, Inspect and adjust all parts, Adjust brakes and gears, True wheels
Dallas Bike Works: Silver Tune Up, $145. (It was the only tune up quoted on their site.) Safety Inspection, Nuts and Bolts Tightened, Precision Wheel True, Brake Adjustment, Derailleur Adjustment, Drive Train Lubricated, Frame and Drivetrain Wash, Cable and Housing Installation, Minor Component Installation (i.e. stem, seat post, chain)
Cadence Cyclery: Performance Package, $120. Inspect all aspects of the bike, Torque all bolts to spec, Check & lube gears, Check & adjust brakes, Wipe down & inspect frame, Perform test ride, Check tire pressure, Install of parts & components NOT included
VeloFix: Basic Tune, $109. Full bike safety inspection (frame, fork, components, and torque settings) Frame and component wipe down, Lube chain, Shifter and derailleur adjustments, Brake lever and caliper adjustments, Minor wheel adjustments, Headset and bottom bracket adjustments, Post-service test ride, Parts, accessories, and installation fees not included
Readers, what do you say? How much are you paying for a tune up that includes brakes and derailleur adjustments in your city?
Those numbers (PLUS repair parts, if any) are ballpark for my area too. Of course, prices go up as more services are performed.
I’ve been in my local bike shop (RIverside in Newburyport MA) a couple of times in the last year when somebody traveling by bike came in for a part they needed to continue their journey. And, I’ve been in that same position in other bike shops.
If we have the money to spare, it’s important to support our local bike shops: to give business to their repair and parts departments. Getting a tuneup is a good way to do that. If we don’t support them, there will be fewer bike shops. And breakdowns on the road will become even less pleasant than they already are.
As it happens, I just dropped my bike off for a “standard tune” at my LBS here in Tacoma, WA, and they charge $134. This includes wheel truing, which isn’t included in “basic” tunes at some shops. I remember a few years back it cost around $50, but it might not have included the wheel truing at that time.
This LBS also offers a “lifetime tune”, which currently runs $345 to $495, depending on the bike (new vs. used, analog vs eBike). You get free standard tunes for the life of the bike and about $130 (cost of the standard tune) off full overhauls. I bought that package for about $300 a few years back thinking I’d eventually break even, but with the increase in rates, it’s turned into a great deal and even better inflation protection.
My LBS charges $99.00 for a “basic tune up” and $139 for a “Pro Tune up”. The difference between the two is with the “Pro Tune up” is everything is dissembled, cleaned up and adjusted.
Mine are free for life by the shop where I purchased my high end bike. It’s certainly something you can shop around for, or possibly negotiate into a purchase.
I usually do my own tuneups and repairs, but I ran into a snag with my wife’s “ghost shifting” (push the lever and nothing happens) Ultegra 11 speed. Took it to a bike shop in Davis, CA, and they did a full basic tuneup and cleaned out the brifters (the main problem) all for $40. Bike now works flawlessly. I was impressed. I may take my own bike in there next spring.
You are paying for what they KNOW as much as the actual labor. You are also paying for the rent, heat, lights. $100 per hour is probably standard labor rate.
I agree with Russ — $100 per hour is a standard labor rate for many professional services, and in some areas it’s lower than the standard. And a good mechanic has real expertise.
Wheels are so important to how a bike performs, that not checking and truing wheels when tuning up a bike is like not replacing the oil filter while doing an oil change in a car. Speaking as a former service manager in 5 different bike shops over a period of 23 years, my advice is to be sure that wheel checking and truing is part of the tune-up or go to a shop that does. It only takes a few minutes for a mechanic to check spoke tension and true wheels that have no or minor issues. And if there’s damage to the wheels that needs addressing they’ll find it and let you know the additional costs to fix it.
Jim
That “Pro Tune Up” at my LBS includes truing the wheels.
I have a wheel truing stand. I can true my own wheels. I’m not a pro mechanic. It can take time, but it’s doable. Never have paid for a tune up.