I just took my mountain bike in for a tune up. Its in decent shape but has been sitting in the garage for a while. They quoted me $75 plus labor, which doesnt make sense to me. Just curious if I am getting ripped off. Thanks
2007-01-07 15:29:32 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
I got my bike back today. My total was $180. I ended up with a tune-up, 2 new tires and tubes, a new chain, 1 new wheel and some other minor parts here and there. They called me before they did anything. I called another local shop for a quote and was quoted more so I went ahead with these guys. Bike looks good so I am happy. Thanks for the info!
2007-01-10 14:59:33 · update #1
$75 straight would be okay... but what are they going to charge you for labor? (Your post states $75 PLUS Labor) Do they charge by the hour? You can really get killed on stuff like that. I understand bike shops need to make money, but we careful not to get taken. Negotiate and shop around. Perhaps settling on a fixed price is better than an estimated price and the "labor" which can be just about anything. Probably ask for a more specific itemized listing of what they are going to do to tune up your bike and how much each task is going to cost.
If your bike is truly in decent shape, it shouldn't require a lot of work to tune up, therefore not justifying the cost. Basic tune up would probably include truing the wheels (borrow a friend's truing stand, if they have one), spoke wrenches only cost a few bucks. Cleaning your drive-train will require a few more tools (if you're willing to take off the chain and freewheel), but would improve your shifting. If they're going to do this for your bike they'd have to take off everything and throw it in a solvent tank (stripping all the oil, dirt, junk)... then reinstalling it and re-lubing it (sounds easy, but this is the dirtiest part of the job). To do that yourself, you'd need a chain removing tool, some chainwhips for the freewheel (if it's a cassette-type), some solvent in a disposable container (e.g. water, Dawn dishwashing fluid, and a disposable container).
Anyway, I've sort of strayed from the question, but ask for an itemized bill. Just "tune-up" for $75 PLUS Labor could mean just about anything. Good luck.
2007-01-07 16:55:10 · answer #1 · answered by sam_of_losangeles 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That really isnt that incredibly much to pay for since its been sitting in the garage for a while. Once you add up the tune up ($50-60), tubes ($5 each at least), new cables and housing (usually runs at least $25 to 30), and chain (almost $20)... it really shows that $75 aint too much. Your bike mustve been in decent shape to only be that much.
You might also ask them to teach you how to adjust your own brakes and deraileurs. Then you won't pay full tune-up price.
Everything is cheaper if you do it yourself.
2007-01-10 12:39:49 · answer #2 · answered by leesmthsn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what that covers and it depends if you have suspension on the bike.
Some bike shops do little more than make some minor adjustments. It wouldn't be worth that. Others give it the works. I take my road bike in once a year for a $60+parts tune-up and it's money well spent. It's like riding a new bike when I get it back.
They take apart the drivetrain and clean it - spotless - and lube it. They clean the bike, rims, brake pads. They make all of the necessary brake and gear adjustments.
2007-01-08 15:12:48 · answer #3 · answered by ZepOne 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey i work at a bike shop in nj and we charge $59.99 for a tune up, but if you bought the bike from one of our 4 stores, you get lifetime tune ups on the bike. i think 75 is a little high. what you should do, is air up your tires, to see if they go flat after a day or so. if they hold air that's a good thing. then just have the shop go over your brakes and gears, that shouldn't be much more than 30 bucks. good luck
2007-01-07 16:53:08 · answer #4 · answered by drew k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last time i needed work done on my bike i found a private shop. He charged $65 an hour, he billed on true hours. Not how many hours a computer told him it should take. I felt that it was completely fair, and well worth the cost for the quality of work that he did. He has been working on bikes for 50+ years, i trust his work alot more then a 20 year old just starting out in the mechanics field.
2016-05-23 07:14:57 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends what parts you need. I'd guess tires/tubes and a chain, maybe brake pads and cables if they're rusty. That'd be $75 easy.
If you know how to replace all that stuff (correctly) then you could do it yourself. It's not difficult, you just have to know the the right way to do it.
2007-01-07 16:16:29 · answer #6 · answered by scott.braden 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they should only charge that much to do a full service. my shop charges $90 to do pretty much everything on the bike. after that, its like brand new. a regular tune up should be in the area of $25-$40
dual suspension bike cost more, btw
2007-01-09 04:26:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Add to the above list cable and derailleur adjustments, wheel truing, grease bearings (2 hubs, bottom bracket, 2 pedals, 1 headset), adjust hubs and headset, check frame for corrosion/rust, clean/lube chain, clean bike, tighten various nuts and bolts...
I'd say $75 is about right.
2007-01-07 16:27:34 · answer #8 · answered by Ben P 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
in my opinion thats a great deal.. if you got a new rim and new tires and tube, tires are 20$ then the tubes are like 4$ then the rim is about ( depends if it is sealed or unsealed) sealed: 130 unsealed: 80 so its actually not that bad..
2007-01-11 11:00:55 · answer #9 · answered by ___ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i work in a bike shop and we charge $49 australian dollars plus parts.
2007-01-07 19:45:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋