Bike Tune Up Cost

Bicycles need regular maintenance to function optimally. It is recommended that you do an overhaul at least once a year to clean, adjust and lubricate the bike. The recommended period for such revisions is spring, before the warm season, and autumn, before hibernation. If you do not have the necessary time or technical knowledge you can go to a bike shop for a personalized overhaul.

How Much Does a Bike Tune-Up Cost?

You should plan on spending anywhere between $40 and $100 for a standard bike tune-up, depending on what is included in the tune-up, the place where you are living and the professional you are hiring. For a simple job, that includes a rapid cleaning and adjustment you will have to pay anywhere between $40 and $60 and the costs will increase as you will add more adjustments. For example, the cost to replace all of the brakes and shift housing/cables will be anywhere between $120 and $180. On the other hand, you will have to pay around $220 on removing the parts, rebuilding the bearing assemblies, and performing a deeper cleaning.

According to the members of the Bike Forums, the cost of a basic bike tune-up is around $30, while for a complete tune-up you will have to pay almost $220.

Also, the Popular Mechanics website says that the price of a bike tune-up would be anywhere between $35 and $90.

If you choose to tune up your bike at Dick’s Sporting Goods you will have to choose between four options such as drivetrain, basic, brake system, and premium. The cost of the basic option is around $45, while for the drivetrain and brake system tune-up you will have to pay only around $30.

In the table below you will find the average prices charged by most of the bike shops for different types of services.

Bike tune-up details

The majority of the bike tune-ups will include a thorough inspection, a cleaning, brake adjustments, wheel truing, and drivetrain adjustments. More work is included in the premium tune-up jobs.

The minor tune-ups include: checking the screws; checking and adjusting the brakes; checking, lubricating, and adjusting derailleurs; checking and lubricating the chain, adjusting the cuvettes, and a visual inspection of the bicycle.

The standard tune-ups include: checking the screws; checking and adjusting the brakes; checking, lubricating, and adjusting derailleurs; checking and lubricating the chain; hub adjustment; wheel centering; cuvette adjustment and visual inspection of the bicycle.

Major tune-ups include: checking screws; checking, adjusting, and replacing the fluid in case of hydraulic brakes; checking, lubricating, and adjusting derailleurs; lubrication of the shift levers (if possible); checking, cleaning, and lubricating the transmission (chain, sprockets, and gear); changing the grease from the hubs and adjusting them (if they are based on balls); wheel centering; changing the grease in the cuvettes and adjusting them and a visual inspection of the bike.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Cyclebar classes, Roller skates, or skateboards.

In general, bike tune-ups are similar, but there can be some that include certain services. So, make sure you know exactly what are you going to pay for.

What are the extra costs?

The average costs we presented above will not include the price of the extra parts. For instance, for an older bike, you may need new housing and/or cables, new brake pads, a new chain.

Another extra cost to consider is those with new tires because the old ones may be worn out and have to be replaced.

Though, if all of the parts have to be replaced plan on spending anywhere between $120 and $230. For example, for a simple chain installation you will have to pay anywhere between $7 and $18, without including the parts, and for a grip install you will have to pay anywhere between $8 and $15.

For the rush orders, you may have to pay an additional cost.

Good to know

If you are riding more than an average cyclist, it is recommended to tune up your bike every year.

How can I save money?

Most bike shops offer discounts for tune-ups if you purchase the bike from them. For example, some members of the Bike Forum said that there are some retailers that offer their customers free basic tune-ups for life. For instance, REI offers its customers a free bike tune-up six months from the first purchase or after 20 hours of use. In case you haven’t bought the bike from them, the costs would be anywhere between $65 and $115, depending on the package.

You can do minor tune-up jobs yourself, such as checking the tire pressure or lubing the chain. A more complex job should be done by a professional if you don’t have enough experience.