How much does a bike tune up cost? Here’s how to know what to ask for

It can be intimidating to walk into a bike shop for the first time. Almost like walking into a car mechanic – and depending on the bike you have – it can be just as complex as a car. How much does a bike tune up cost?

In most cases, a typical bike tune up will cost a rider anywhere from $50 to $150. Of course, this depends on where you are, what you are looking to have done and the state that your bike is in.

Most places have a standard rate, and a set menu of items that will be done that should be done to your bike about once every year.

For example, the bike shop around the corner from me has a rate of $125 for a tune up. This shop has one mechanic and I have gone to him for a handful of items that I chose not to do myself.

He has shown he is competent, and this price is in San Francisco which may be equal or a touch higher than other locations. But the number is just that – a number.

It is important to understand exactly what you are getting in your tune up and what your bike needs and understanding if your bike mechanic can accomplish those needs for your bike.

In this post we will go over different questions ranging from, how much does a bike tune up cost? To How often should you get a tune up?

We will also talk about exactly what goes into a bike tune up so that you can learn the most and understand what is being done to your bike.

For those who are very hands on, we will also discuss what types of repairs and maintenance you are able to do yourself if you choose to.

I have found that there are many pieces of maintenance like tightening a spoke that are very simple if you have the bike-specific tool – and typically that one tool that you’re looking for is $10-$15 online or at your local bike shop.

Do you really need a tune up?

Yes, and typically, you will need a tune up once a year.

I tend to go longer than once a year because I do many of my repairs myself, however for those that do not pay close attention to their bicycle, there may be possibilities of derailleurs needing adjustments, chains needing replacements, or brakes needing adjustments. 

If you have not touched your bike or given it a ride in a long time (6 months) a tune up will be in order.

What you’ll notice is the chain may not ride smooth on the cassette, there may be unexplained skipping in the chain, or perhaps the wheel may begin rubbing against the brakes.

These are all small symptoms of a slightly neglected bicycle that can easily be fixed with a tune up.

How much does a bike tune up cost?

Bike tune-ups typically have a range – depending on your needs. Here is a sample of what most tune ups will include based off your needs.

In my opinion, I would avoid a shop that does anything less than the standard tune-up here, unless you know specifically what your bike needs.

1. Routine / Standard ($100)
   • True Wheels
   • Tire Pressure and Tube Check
   • Cable and Housing Lubing
   • Bottom Bracket Leveling and Check
   • Brake Adjustments (Replacement typically not included)
   • Headset Adjustment and Check
   • Chain Size Check (Replacement typically not included)
   • Frame Wipe down
   • Saddle height adjustments and bolt tightening
   • Derailleur Checks
   • Wheel Hub Adjustments, Lubrication and Bearing Checks
2. Full Suspension ($150) Same as Above +
   • Checking bolts for proper amount of torque and functionality
3. Road Bike / Gravel / Race / Hardtail Mountain Bike ($200+)
   • Checking bolts for proper amount of torque and functionality
   • Drivetrain and Derailleur Check, Cleaning and Regreasing
   • Ball Bearing Cassette Check

Keep in mind that should another item, part or service need to be done, repaired or replaced; the cost of that repair usually falls in line of $30-$50 per hour + the cost of parts.

If your bicycle is not a premium road bike, race, gravel or hardtail mountain bike, the shop will have parts available or have the means to order those parts.

More unique, rare or international bikes, shops are beginning to ask the rider more often to get the part and come back due to the rarity of the parts.

Is a Bike Service Worth it?

I find it useful to bring my bicycle in to get serviced once a year. Bicycle technicians look at 1-2 bicycles a day at minimum. That means that they could work on ~500 bikes and solve that many problems a year.

I will work on my 3 bicycles a year. This means they are simply the best when it comes to finding, diagnosing and understanding problems that you may have missed.

I consider myself an expert, even while working at a bicycle shop, though I will still find time to bring my bike in to have someone with exponentially more experience than me to look at the bicycle and see if there is anything going on with it.

How Can I Tune My Bike at Home?

Almost anything can be done at home regarding a tune-up. The only tool that I don’t have at home right now is a wheel truing and dishing stand. The reason being is because there is one at the shop that I work at.

However, even getting this stand would be very easy, and then you would have all of the items needed for a basic tune up kit.

This is not an all inclusive tool list that you need, but it will help you get an idea of how reasonably priced it is to have all of the tools you need to tune your bike up. (Getting the knowledge afterwards to do everything will take a lot of YouTube, and 6-pack gifts of beers to the mechanic at your local bike shop.)

If you would like to do all of your tune-ups at home, you will more than likely need (In addition to typical tools at home):

With this list you will be prepared for virtually any easy do it yourself repair on your bicycle.

• Wheel Truing Stand
• Bike Stand
• Pedal Wrench
• Spoke Wrench
• Torx Wrench Set
• Hex Key Set (mm)
• Hand Pump
• Extra Bike Tubes (Not recommended to purchase online)
• Tire levers (2-3)
• Chain Lube
• Chain Levers
• Patch Kit
• Chain Breaking Tool
• Cassette Remover Tool and Chain Whip

How can I maintain my bike myself?

My favorite part about owning my bicycle is being able to work on it myself. Here is a list of very easy self-service items that I like to do and are very easy if you have the right tools:

1. Regreasing Chain
2. Bike Saddle and Fit Adjustments
3. Replacing Frank Arms and Chain Rings
4. Warding off Rust
5. Bicycle Tube Replacement
6. Bicycle Spoke Replacement

How often do I need to get a tune up?

You would be pretty shocked by the things that you don’t know are going wrong with your bicycle and decreasing the overall life of the bike.

You should make it a point to go into a shop and ask a bike mechanic for a tune-up at least once a year. They will give the bicycle a look over at the brakes, the components, the gears, and make the best recommendations to you so that the bicycle will continue to fit your needs.

If you think of this as an oil change for the bicycle – except that you do it once a year rather than twice – you will keep your bicycle in running shape for a long time (years to decades).

Bike Checks once a ride:

• Re-grease Chain – Read here to learn to lube chain without a stand
• Do a brake check
• Make sure seat is stable
• Make sure tires are at the correct amount of air

Bike Checks once a month

• Clean the brake and frame (Or immediately if caught in rain)
• Check for wear in tires
• Check spokes for looseness
• Check bolts
• Deep clean chain if caught in rain during month
• Check for loose chain

Why is a tune up important?

Bicycles are very simple machines. However, the mechanics to operate this simple machine can become complex very quickly – and just like cars their different parts need to be looked at once a year so that you are able to ride safely.

An example of an older bike that a friend had was a derailleur that failed after he came back to it after a 3-month summer vacation.

With these hills in San Francisco, he simply wouldn’t have made it home because the derailleur was stuck on his big gear.

A bike shop easily picked out the problem and fixed it during the tune up. Outside of simply being able to ride the bike, there are items like brake safety checks, screw tightening, tire and light operation that can always keep you safe and riding home.

Does tuning your bike make it faster?

It is important to get a tune up when possible to make sure that your bicycle’s speed is not impacted by problems with the drivetrain. This will make your bicycle faster.

When you tune your bike you are doing a lot of things to it. One of those things that may happen is your bike will move faster.

The last time I had my bicycle tuned up one of the things that I noticed was a problem with the chain that made the shifting not as smooth.

Once that problem was solved, the time that I was able to climb hills decreased dramatically.

Because the chain problem was fixed (an issue with the derailleur) I was able to use my bicycle in the properly functioning way.

How long does a tune up take?

A tune up can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on what you are having done.

If you happen to have a tune up that is far more routine like checking tire pressure and making sure your wheels are still true – then it will not be very long.

However, if you are having derailleur issues or some nuts in your saddle post need to be replaced then your tune up can take longer.

Depending on your bike shop, some may do a tune up when you walk in and you can wait, and some may ask for 24-48 hours of wait time.

One shop that I go to for repairs in the middle of the week will typically do any repair that is under an hour immediately whereas if I take it in in the evening or the weekend, they’ll ask me to drop my bike off.

This goes for both the shop that I take when downtown and the shop that I take that is not in the city.

Conclusion

If you make sure to follow these instructions, your bike will more than likely outlast you. My bike has been rolling happily for 1000’s of miles since I’ve gotten it and shows no signs of stopping. I’m excited to get it moving tomorrow.