Bikes love tune-ups. It makes them “feel” new and keeps them performing at optimal levels. A bike that hasn’t received a proper tune-up from time to time will not achieve the level of performance for what it was designed and some components will have a shorter life span.
What is the average price for a bike tune-up, you may wonder? The answer depends on the type of tune-up that you choose. I did some research to establish what an average price for a tune-up typically looks like from a financial point of view.
Most bike shops have either a two/three-tiered tune-up system and charge according to what maintenance is included. The average price of a basic tune-up is between $60-$85, a standard one costing between $120-$150, and a complete overhaul ranging from $250-$300, excluding replacement parts.
I have worked out an average price by selecting ten bike shops located all across the U.S. and compared their respective tune-up prices with each other to get an idea of what an average price is. Besides taking your bike for a basic tune-up, you can do a basic one yourself by following the seven easy steps listed at the article’s end, saving yourself a few dollars in the process.
What Is The Cost Of A Bike Tune-Up?
When comparing bike shop prices, you start to see that they are often very similarly priced. If a shop charges more than another for the same type of tune-up, you can be dead sure that they have added an extra maintenance service or two in the tune-up.
I am trying to say that all basic, standard, and overhaul tune-ups from the different bike shops won’t necessarily include the same level of tune-ups. It would be best to ask what is included in each tune-up option before parting with your money.
Average Price Of A Bike Tune-Up
The price of an average tune-up to a complete tune-up differs from one bike shop to the next, as seen in the table below. A basic tune-up may vary in the maintenance being performed, as stores make up personal service packages. Please be advised that one store will have added services included, whereas another store will not. The higher the tune-up’s price is indicative of a more thorough service.
| Bike Shop | Basic Tune-Up | Standard Tune-Up | Overhaul Tune-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trek Bikes Pittsburgh | $69.99 | $139.99 | $299.99 |
| Jans Bike Shop | $99.00 | $149.99 | $299.00 |
| Trinity Bikes | $79.99 | $129.99 | $269.99 |
| Mikes Bikes Edmonton | $119.99 | $159.99 | $239.99 |
| Blue Zone Sports | $65.00 | $125.00 | $249.00 |
| Eden Bicycles | $80.00 | $150.00 | $400.00 |
| Northwest Tri HYPERLINK | $60.00 | $125.00 | $250.00 |
| Las Vegas Cyclery | $79.99 | $119.99 | $299.99 |
| Blue Ridge Cyclery | $89.99 | $179.99 | $249.99 |
| Village Cycle Center | $99.00 | $179.00 | $349.00 |
As the above table illustrates, the prices for tune-ups vary from bike store to bike store. The maintenance list also differs, and some stores include some standard tune-up features to their basic option and vice versa.
I worked out an average cost of the three types of tune-ups, charged between these evenly spread bike stores across the United States, and got the following information out of them:
| Type Of Tune-Up | Average Cost | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Tune-Up | $85 | $60 | $120 |
| Standard Tune-Up | $146 | $120 | $180 |
| Overhaul Tune-Up | $290 | $240 | $400 |
If you see a cost for a tune-up advertised at $40 or less, do yourself a favor, and look carefully at what’s included in the price. The lower the price for a basic tune-up, the better the chance it’s just a check-up and not the basic maintenance service that the bike shop will perform.
What Are The Different Types Of Tune-Ups?
Regular bike maintenance is critical in keeping your bike on the road and running smoothly at optimal levels. Tune-up packages offered by most bike shops are usually three-tiered and differ in what areas of a bike are being maintained.
The Basic Tune-Up
A basic tune-up is your entry-level type of maintenance and typically includes a combination of the following tune-ups:
- Checking the brakes
- Adjusting the brakes
- Fasteners torqued to manufacturers specifications
- Drivetrain adjustment
- Inflating tires to the correct pressure
- Adjusting the headset
- Adjusting gears
- Adjusting bearings
- General safety check
- Adjusting spokes
- Truing the wheels
- Bike wash
The Standard Tune-Up
This type of tune-up is your mid-range type of maintenance, including the basic tune-ups, as well as the following extras:
- All basic tune-ups listed above
- Deep clean and polish
- Removal of the drivetrain to degrease
- Professional test drive
The Overhaul Tune-Up
This type of tune-up is your top-level type of maintenance (your bike will love you), and includes all basic and standard tune-up maintenance, as well as the following:
- All standard tune-ups listed above
- Deep clean
- Lubrication of the whole bike
- New bearings
- New cables
- Bike alignment
Individual Tune Up Costs
The maintenance included in each type of tune-up may vary from store to store. It would help if you inspected what the tune-up includes and excludes before committing to a maintenance option. Often a bike store will have tune-up/repair options that they charge for separately, while others may consist of some of them in their tune-up packages. An example of how much these individual costs are:
Bike Assembly
| Services | Cost |
| Shipped Bike Assembly | $60 |
| New Bike Assembly | $60 |
| E-Bike Assembly | $125 |
| Custom Bike Assembly | $300 |
Brakes
| Services | Cost |
| Brake Adjustment | $20 |
| Brake Pads Replacement (Pads Not Included) | $25 |
| Disc Brake Bleed | $40 |
| Brake Install/Lever Swap | $50 |
Suspension
| Services | Cost |
| Fork/Shock Removal For Offsite Service | $25 |
| Dropper Seat Post Installation | $45 |
| Rear Shock Air Can Service | $50 |
| Fork Installation | $50 |
| Fork Lower Leg Service | $100 |
| Dropper Seat Post Service | $100 |
| Full Fork Rebuild | $100 |
Tires/Tubes
| Services | Cost |
| Flat Fix/Tire Install With Tube | $15 |
| Tubeless Tire Install (Sealant) | $20 |
| Rim Tape Installation | $20 |
| Full Tubeless Tire Setup | $30 |
| Tubular Tire Install | $60 |
Wheels
| Services | Cost |
| Hub Adjustment | $25 |
| Wheel True | $30 |
| Hub Overhaul | $45 |
| Spoke Replacement | $45 |
| Tubeless Spoke Replacement | $60 |
| Wheel Build | $100 |
Drivetrain
| Services | Cost |
| Chain Installation | $15 |
| Cassette Installation/Removal | $15 |
| Derailleur Adjustment | $20/Derailleur |
| Chain Cleaning | $25 |
| Derailleur Installation | $35 |
| Derailleur Hanger Alignment | $35 |
| Bottom Bracket Installation | $40 |
| Drivetrain Deep Clean | $40 |
| Drivetrain Installation | $60 |
Miscellaneous Services
| Services | Cost |
| Seat Post Trim | $10 |
| Saddle Installation | $10 |
| Grip Installation | $10 |
| Bar Trim | $15 |
| Headset Installation | $20 |
| Road Bar Tape Installation | $20 |
| Mountain Bar Installation | $30 |
| Dropper Post Installation | $30 |
| Road Bar Installation | $40 |
The prices and services above exemplify what a bike store can charge individually for tune-up and repair services. These prices are primarily without the part that needs to be fixed, and besides paying the maintenance fee, you will also be liable for the part that needs replacing.
Why Get A Bike Tune-Up?
You get a bike tune-up because you love your bike, and you love riding it! Just like any type of machinery in your life that needs regular maintenance to perform at its optimal level, so does your bike.
Metal and moving parts require proper lubrication to prevent any unnecessary wear and tear. Regular tune-ups ensure that you catch any potential safety or repair issues before they become dangerous and, most importantly, expensive to fix.
When To Get A Bike Tune-Up?
The average weekend rider will not have as many tune-ups scheduled per year as the 100-200 miles per week cyclist. Factors that will affect the need for more regular tune-ups are:
- How often do you ride your bike?
- What type of conditions do you expose your bike to?
- How do you store your bike?
Most avid cyclists get a tune-up annually, usually, after the winter months have passed just before spring.
Some riders indicate that you need to service your bike after every 2000-mile mark reached on the saddle. The guys at Trek Bikes suggest that you get a basic tune-up after every 50 hours and an overhaul tune-up after every 100 hours.
Your bike will ‘tell’ you when it’s time to have one, either by not performing as it did when it was new and fresh from the showroom floor or by apparent signs that some part is in the process of breaking. Riders who ride all year round, sun or snow, and who like the rugged outdoors more than other peers, should be looking at two tune-ups a year.
Can You Do A Tune Up Yourself?
Many bike owners do some basic tune-up on their bikes, while others can do what a bike shop charges you lots of dollars to do. Whatever your tune-up skills, there are some basic things that you can do to keep your bike in good shape and running better overall.
7 Easy Steps To Tune Up Your Bike
It does not matter how you use your bike, be it for fun, exercise, or general transportation. It is essential to do regular tune-ups to keep it performing at its best level. Listed below are seven easy steps on how to do some basic tune-ups yourself.
Step 1: Clean The Bike Chain
Purchase a cleaning lube agent that is specifically designed for bikes from your local bike shop. The lube acts as a degreaser and will assist you in removing grime buildup and dirt from your bike’s chain:
- Lightly apply the lube over the entire chain.
- Grab a small cloth or towel and grasp a chain section on the lower part.
- Start pedaling the bike backward while the other hand grips the chain with the cloth/towel.
- The grease buildup will be removed as the chain travels through the cloth/towel.
- Alternatively, remove your chain from the bike and place it overnight in a container filled with a degreaser.
- Please take out the chain the following day and use a cloth/towel to clean it, making sure it’s super shiny.
Step 2: Clean The Bike Cassette
You can use the cleaning lube agent left over after finishing step 1, then do the following:
- To clean the cassette, you need to remove your rear wheel.
- Once the wheel is removed, apply the lube to the cassette.
- Use a cloth or towel to remove any grease that is trapped between the cogs.
Step 3: Inspect The Brakes And Derailleurs
This step is a visual inspection of some of the moving parts that typically attract dirt:
- Use the brake levers while in operational mode and check if there are any areas where metal meets metal.
- When applying the brakes, observe any low brake pressure issues, and listen for any squealing noises.
- These are the areas that require a drop or three of lubricating oil.
Step 4: Clean The Brake Pads
With regard to this step, there are two areas to check and clean:
- Check and make sure that the brake pads are correctly aligned with the rims.
- Check to see that they do not rub the tire, nor should they come into contact with the rim.
- Should they rub or connect with the tire or rim, adjust the pads so that they fit correctly.
- Check for dirt/debris that may have become embedded in between the brake pads and the rims.
- Use a pointed object, and carefully remove any dirt, grit, and sand from the pads.
- Doing this will ensure the pads will not scratch the bike rims and keep the brakes in proper working order.
Step 5: Check The Tire Pressure And Thread
Before applying this step, you have to ensure you know what the suggested tire pressure is for the tires that you are using currently:
- Use a tire pressure gauge, check to see if it’s at the appropriate level, and if not, increase it.
- While checking the tire pressure, ensure that your tire’s tread is devoid of any cracks/gouges in the side or bottom of the thread.
- Check for any worn spots where little to no thread is present.
- Replace a tire with a degraded thread immediately.
Step 6: Inspect The Wheels Of The Bike
Another wheel inspection, but this time it’s not the wheel itself:
- Check all the areas on the bike where there are mechanisms designed to keep the wheels in place.
- Tighten all these areas if they are loose to ensure a safe ride.
Step 7: Check The Handlebars
Last but not least, check the handlebars:
Use an appropriate tool to tighten any bolts/nuts being used to secure the handlebar system.
Doing this straightforward basic tune-up on your bike every so often will ensure that your bike stays in good shape and is safe to ride.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, a tune-up will average anywhere between $60-$300 depending on the type of maintenance. The price range across the country is pretty stable, and no real surprises or excessive prices were found when working out the average.
To recap, and to be on the safe side, a basic tune-up averages $85, whereas a standard tune-up will cost you $180 on average. A complete overhaul tune-up will cost you $300 on average. Expect to pay a little less or slightly more depending on your local bike shop
Maybe you will like to read the following articles:
- Mountain Bike Maintenance Cost
- How Often Do You Really Need to Wash Your Mountain Bike?
- Can a mountain bike get wet?
I started mountain biking many years ago to improve my overall health state. After my first ride, I fell in love with the sport. Now I spend dozens of hours a week researching and training to compete in local XC and Enduro events.
