Depending on your area, the average bike tune-up costs anywhere between $60 and $100. Most shops offer two options – A Minor/Basic Tune-up that costs $55 to $89 and a Major Tune-up that typically costs between $119 and $150.
Your bike will be cleaned from top to bottom. The chain, chainrings, freewheel, derailleurs, brakes and rims will be thoroughly degreased and dried, or replaced with new parts as needed after the bike is clean. The chain and other key parts of the drivetrain will be treated with a high-quality lubricant.
The cassette on your bicycle can be found on the rear wheel and is a cluster of sprockets that are a part of the drivetrain. They slide onto the freehub, the ratchet system that controls the drive of your bicycle when you pedal, and can have anything from 5 to 12 'speeds'.
No matter how often you ride you should give your bike a tune-up at least once a year. Today we'll learn how to tune up your bike, which I'd recommend doing at least once a year, or even every few months if you ride every day.
Walmart bikes are heavy, poorly made, and come with low-quality components. They are often poorly assembled as well. Durability and reliability issues are common. Cheap parts wear out quickly, break easily, and need to be adjusted frequently.
Spray the WD-40 Bike Degreaser onto the surface of your bike chain and give it adequate time to work. On top of that, the WD-40 Bike Degreaser can be used for the cleaning and degreasing of other moving parts as well.
Bike Tools for Routine Maintenance
- Allen® wrench set (ranging from 2-12mm in size)
- Open end wrenches (6-17mm)
- Chain brush.
- Chain lube and cleaner.
- Clean rags.
- Tire levers.
- Tubes (at least a couple spares)
- Tube patch kit.
To avoid this accelerated wear of your cassette and chainrings, a general rule of thumb is to replace your bike's chain every 2,000 miles. Mind you, this is just a starting point. No two chains will wear at exactly the same rate because no two riders treat their chains the same.
You will need disposable rags, bike oil, some degreaser product and maybe a used toothbrush and a flat headed screwdriver to pry off the larger gunks from the rear derailleurs jockey wheels and chainrings. Get all the dirt you possibly can get off the chains, sprockets and chainwheels.
After this initial service, we recommend a major service each 12 months with a minor check up at each change of season. It's a reasonable guideline, but it really does depend on how much you ride, and what kinds of conditions you're riding in. Heavy use, rain, mud and dust all mean more frequent servicing.
Most riders will get a tune-up once or twice a year and schedule them two to four weeks before an event. Pro tip: follow the cycling rules of the road after you tune up your bike and get back to riding.
5 ways to make your old bike feel new again
- Replace your tyres. Rubber wears out and hardens over time.
- Replace your contact points. It's commonly said that fresh bar tape or grips bring about immediate youth to a bike.
- Replace your cables.
- Replace your worn chain.
- Replace worn bearings.
- Service your suspension.
