The others have covered a lot of the points, however I'd like to add this:

I love bike shops and I want them to remain open, thus they need to make some money. I understand why they offer "packaged" tune-ups to their clients, but I'll never take one.

Here is a chart, with my comments, from a local Vancouver bike shop that I usually find a bit expensive for their services and products:

Blessing: $15.00

Sometimes you just need someone to have a look at your bike and make sure it’s safe to ride, especially if it’s been sitting for a while!

* We inspect and inflate the tires to the proper pressure and lube your chain
* Do a complete safety inspection
* Make sure the brakes are in good working order; the wheels aren’t loose; the handlebars are straight; the gears are working; the handlebars and stem are tight; and that nothing is broken!
I can pump up my tires and lube my chain, thanks.

I can do a safety inspection, check my brakes, wheels, handlebars, gears, etc.

Basic Tune: $29.99

Everything in the Blessing plus:

* Check and adjust the headset
* Check and adjust all bearings
* Inspect all cables and housings
* Inspect and adjust gears
* Inspect and adjust brakes
* Inspect rims and spokes and true wheels on the bike
* Inspect and tighten all fasteners
* Clean and lube chain
If my headset is loose, I'll ask them to fix it if I am worried I am not doing it right.

All of my bearings are sealed.

I can inspect my own cables and housings. Generally if it's not braking or shifting properly I'll look into that.

If my gears or brakes are out of wack, I'll ask them to do that. It's $6 for gears and $4 for brakes.

I inspect my wheels quickly before every ride, and in detail when I clean my bike. I pay attention when I ride. If it's untrue I'll ask them to true it (variable cost but seldom more than $15 if I've noticed it early enough - and it doesn't happen more than once every other year - but I'm a very light rider). Sometimes I'll be in for gears or something like that and the shop guy will say "I think your front wheel needs to be trued," and I'll say "go ahead!"

I can inspect and tighten my fasterners.

Geez, I can clean and lube my bike, too!!!

Comprehensive: $49.99

Everything in the Blessing and Basic Tune plus:

* Inspect and adjust bottom bracket
* Inspect and adjust front and rear hubs
* Wipe your entire bike clean
* True wheels on the truing stand
More things I can do myself, except the wheel truing, which I covered above.

I've taken a couple of days of bike mechanics classes and I can either do things myself or know what I need done, so I NEVER get a packaged tune-up. I understand why it exists, but I think cyclists that ride the kind of miles you do should get things piecemeal instead, as they need them.

This being said, the mechanics class was really helpful in educating me about those things... and reading dear Team Estrogen members' insights, too!! Also: patronizing a good bike shop regularly, learning from the shop people, and discussing with them will teach you a lot... and teach them that you're taking this seriously and are not to be abused with over-pricing.