to tune-up or not to tune-up

[inatree]

its been almost two months since i got my new bike. the LBS said to bring it back within 60 days to get a free tune-up. my question is....do you think i should take it in even if its working just fine? i feel a little nervous because the mechanics there dont have a very good reputation, and ive heard about them messing up other ppl's bikes. if they mess up mine i will be so so so so sad. i ride it everyday...and this month's finances will be tight so i cant afford any surprises. altho...they special ordered this bike for me and put it together just fine. what do you all think i should do?

[Kalidurga]

As I understand it, the "tune-up" required after the break-in period on a new bike consists pretty much of checking the tension of all the cables, derailleur settings, etc. If you're handy with bike maintenance, you could certainly do that yourself. Even if you're not handy with bike maintenance, there are plenty of sites on the 'net (including this one) where you could learn how to adjust cable tension and the limit screws of your derailleurs. Or, if you're like me and learn better from watching, check any other LBS's in your area to see if any of them do seminars on bike maintenance and gear adjustment.

DebW, velogirl, ladies... I may be way off on this advice, so please correct me if I am.

[DebW]

DebW, velogirl, ladies... I may be way off on this advice, so please correct me if I am.

You're right, Kalidurga. The tune-up is mainly to take care of cable stretch, and other things that tweak themselves or "break-in" as the bike is ridden. That would include wheel truing, as spokes may stretch and settle in on the first few rides. And a good going-over to make sure that every bolt and lock nut has stayed tight. But cable stretch is the biggie.

[bike4ever]

I look at this from a shop manager's point of view. I ask that you bring it back for us to look at even if it is a simple turn of the barrel adjuster. We record in our computer that you brought your bike back for a warranty check. We can add comments as to what we actually did to the bike. If six months down the line, you bring the bike back and report that it has always not shifted correctly, then I can pull your service history back up to see what service has been done on the bike (paper trail).

inatree - On another note, did you know of your shop's poor service reputation before purchasing your bike?

[bcipam]

The "tune up" a shop offers after a bike purchase is just to make sure everything is working correctly. It's your time to bring the bike back in to complain about this or that and they will fix it free. Generally there is a time limit on this offer. If you decide not to go back in, there's no problem but you now assume all responsibility for problems - such as needed cable adjustments etc. For the shop, it's a liability issue. I would take them up on the offer - never turn down "free". It won't hurt it can only help.

And Bikemom good issue about the shop's rep before purchasing a bike. I would rather spend alittle more money and buy a bike from a shop with good mechanics then get the deal at a shop I can't trust. Heck I drive 3 hours to Santa Maria to purchase my bikes from a shop I trust.