When to get my Free Bike Tune-up...

[polly4711]

Hello all!!! I am bringing my bike out from being unused since september... my LBS gives a free basic bike tune-up within one year of buying your first bike (so I'm still in that... doesn't go away until June 3rd) When should I use this??? (I'm training for the MS150 in April) I've never lubed my chain, or really done anything besides play around with my seat and my handlebars (which I don't know if this is included in the tune-up of them remeasuring me).

Should I just go now?


JP

[Grog]

Does your bike need a tune-up?

A tune-up would mostly consist of adjusting your brakes and derailleur.

Certainly you can oil your chain yourself... Keep the tune-up for when it's needed, maybe shortly before your event?

[polly4711]

Grog... thanks for the super fast reply!!!

How do I know when my bike needs a tune up? and how do I oil my chain???

All of this bike stuff is still very new to me!

[tulip]

I suggest that you take a look at some bicycling books. There are alot out there, and bike maintenance is really pretty simple. There are certainly complicated parts, but the basic stuff is easy and essential to do. Some bike shops, including REI, offer bike maintenance classes.

You should also become very familiar with changing flats on both wheels. Do this at home so that when you get a flat out in the boonies, you'll be able to help yourself and get back to your ride.

[malkin]

Awww, rats!
I read When to get my free bike and I thought you'd won that Trek contest.

[polly4711]

I wish I was getting a free bike!!! No, just a free bike tune up. I know how to change the tires... any good books to get?

[derailed]

It might be a bit much to start with, but if you are patient with yourself and don't read too much at a time ( think of it like a cookbook )
"Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance" is excellent.

[tulip]

Great! So many people don't know how to change flats, even years after they start riding. They rely on friends, husbands, boyfriends...but it's really important to know how to do on your bike and on your car.

I am reading Selene Yaeger's book on women's cycling. She has some basics about mechanics, and alot about training. I also have an old book published by Bicycling Magazine some years back that focuses on bike repair. I don't do the complicated stuff because I just don't have enough time to learn, but I can adjust brakes and cables, clean chains (and replace if necessary), switch out pedals, adjust derailleurs, change tires, true wheels (not really necessary on the road but I learned when I worked in a bike shop years ago).

I'd say if your bike only needs the tires pumped up and the chain oiled, then take it in for a tuneup about two weeks before your April ride. If it needs more work, take it now.

[Aiacha]

Don't forget that you will also have to get your bike inspected before the MS150, which are free until April 11th at the following shops...

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/cha...res/index.aspx

Mention this when you bring it in for a tune up. I just got mine done, which it needed, and now it shifts like a dream!

[TrekTheKaty]

Two different shops recommended bringing my new bike back after 100 miles to tighten up anything that may not have been tight enough. Then I get a free yearly tune up--last year was the week before my century (I'm paranoid--my hubby had lots of problems last summer, and I didn't want to risk my first century). So I'd say both :-) It's worth the money.

[DebW]

A bike needs a tune-up if:

(1) it doesn't shift properly, ie. one click on the shifter doesn't always result in a gear shift, or the chain slips or jumps between gears without shifting, or you can't reach one or more of the gears, or you drop the chain off the front chainrings frequently, or it just runs very noisily (indicating the chain is not centered on a sprocket).

(2) the brakes levers almost bottom out on the bars when braking hard, or the lever position with the brake on doesn't suit you.

(3) the wheels are out of true, ie. the rim wobbles side to side more than 2 mm or touches the brake pads when the brakes are not engaged.

(4) unusual noises or play anywhere it shouldn't be

[polly4711]

so.... I took my bike in to get looked at because the seat post kept slipping... while they were looking at that... they just fixed anything that needed fixing (ie. tightening breaks, lubing, etc)... no charge... I LOVE my LBS. I think that i will take my bike into the bike shop in april to check it all out again (hopefully many miles will have taken place)

thanks for the help girls!

[brodymom]

Based on the thread, is it correct that you only need a tune-up if you are having some issues - what ever they might be? I have been riding since April, averaging 100 miles/week so have about 950 miles on the bike. I searched the forums to see what people said about tune ups and this thread (though older) seems to address the issue and I just want to confirm that you all agree - no need to get a tune-up after some number of miles unless there are issues. If that is right, I will do it at some point later in the summer or before next Spring. Does this make sense?

Thanks for the help in advance.

[carolync]

Based on the thread, is it correct that you only need a tune-up if you are having some issues - what ever they might be? I have been riding since April, averaging 100 miles/week so have about 950 miles on the bike. I searched the forums to see what people said about tune ups and this thread (though older) seems to address the issue and I just want to confirm that you all agree - no need to get a tune-up after some number of miles unless there are issues. If that is right, I will do it at some point later in the summer or before next Spring. Does this make sense?

Thanks for the help in advance.

My LBS told me to bring in my road bike after the first 100 miles, and X number of miles after that... I can't remember what they said, but I was surprised it was so few... and they provide them for free.

The LBS where I bought my hybrid recommended once a year.

Personally, if it doesn't cost anything, it's worth taking it in, they may notice things out of whack before it starts to affect the ride.