Why does my bike need a tune up?

Question

Please fogive me for being so ignorant about this. I know the brakes work well, there is a little rust on the chain, and the seat seems to be in working order. So why do I need a bike tune up?

Answer 1

Cables stretch. Shifting becomes just a little bit slower and sloppier and braking starts to be less responsive. Wheels are the biggest items that need retensioning. Also bearings on the bottom bracket, hubs and headset can become sloppy and be damaged if not optimally tightened and lubed. Little things like handlebars and seatposts and saddles that are just out of adjustment can be tightened and straightened out. Plus, they usually give the bike a good cleaning which makes it work better. A more expensive bike built with very good parts may not need everything done as often but more modest bikes definitely need a good going over every year. Winter is an awesome time to get these things done.

Answer 2

Tune ups should be done at least every six months, more if you are an avid rider. Overhauls should be done at least every 2 years.

Tuneups take care of all the "little" things that require upkeep on your bike that you might not even notice. For example, your rusty chain might work fine, but the corrosion is actually shortening it's life along with causing more wear on the gears and stuff. Brake pads wear relatively quickly and should be checked, readjusted, or replaced. Wheels should be checked for proper spoke tension and to be sure that they run true. Cables are checked for wear, and everything is adjusted. Very very important to your health.

An overhaul is where the mechanic basically takes the entire bike apart, disassembles and cleans every moving part, relubricates it, and puts it back together. This practically gives you a new bike. It also reveals excessively worn parts which are replaced before they fail. It is a bit expensive but much cheaper than a new bike (usually).

You should NEVER let your chain get rusty. When you go to the shop for a tuneup ask the mechanic for advice on keeping the chain lubed.

Answer 3

Many shops and riders recommend an annual tune-up to adjust stretched cables, clean and lube chains, etc. If you are currently riding around with a chain that's clickety-clickety-clickety rubbing against the front derailleur the whole time you're pedaling, or if the gears don't shift easily and correctly when you want them to, you'll be THRILLED with your bike after a tune-up. However, a quality tune-up may cost you some dough, especially if they identify parts that maybe could be replaced. If you ride only a few times a year on pavement during nice weather, and the bike isn't driving you nuts with creaks and rattles and wobbly wheels, save your money. If you ride a lot, you'll know when you need a tune-up.

Right now is a busy time at the shops (holidays). If you wait until mid-January, you'll get faster service.

Answer 4

Wow, I have never had a bike that goes too fast. You don't have a motorized bike - right? I wish my bike would go faster, but since I am the motor, I'm stuck. A tune up is pretty much adjusting the brakes, shifters, truing the wheels, lubricating the chain, etc.

Answer 5

If you have really been using it, a tune up would consist of checking/
oiling the chain, check brakes and adjust,check the gears and the cables, and check all the loose spokes you would get from just using it. When all this is done, you bike is basically the way it was when new.

Answer 6

Cables get stretched and need to be tightened and sometimes replaced. Brake pads wear out. Chain needs to be lubricated which enables the bike to shift gears more efficiently. Sometimes the wheels need to be trued. All these things are simple and can be easily done and so there's really no reason not to. I do these these things as needed. Sounds to me as if your bike is working fine with exception of the chain needing lubricated. Like you suggested, if the bike is working then you probably don't need to fix it.

Answer 7

you should get a tune up at least once a year from a pro shop just to make sure everything is in working order.

it sounds like you are a novice rider, so there could be problems with your bike that you would not catch, but someone at a shop will notice it. spending the $20-40 a year to get your ride checked out could save your life - yes, its that serious.

your brake cables may be tight, but if they are old or overtightened, they have a chance of breaking if too much pressure is applied. and if your cables snap while riding then.....well, just use your imagination. i sure wouldnt want to be in that situation if i knew i could prevent it.

Answer 8

I would do it at this point. It's time. If there is a "hidden" problem, a routine tune-up could catch it before the problem becomes noticeable. When it is done. the bike will ride better.