How to Tell if it’s Time to Tune Up Your Bike
Indicators you need to tune up your bike and our recommendations
It’s important to know when it’s time to tune up your bike. Take care of your bike so you can enjoy as many miles as possible! How often you need a tune-up for your bike can differ depending on several conditions. They include how often you ride, how you store your bike, and how often you perform your own maintenance checks. 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.
Signs it’s time to tune up your bike
- Bike is squeaking
- Brakes are loose feeling
- It is crunchy when you pedal
- Shifting is off
- Your bike is dirty and there is build on the chain
- You have not had a tune-up in the last year
Things that are checked during a tune-up
- Wash & Degrease Drivetrain
- Adjust Gears
- Adjust Brakes
- True Wheels
- Hardware Safety Check
- Bearing Adjustments
- Chain re-lube
Different shops may have different levels of tunes ups. Make sure you check out all the details. If possible, see if you can drop off your bike beforehand. This way you can get a recommendation on what level of tune-up your bike needs. If your bike is in really bad shape you might need a full overhaul. This includes taking all the components off and rebuilding the bike. Pro tip: if it’s a simple derailleur issue, follow these simple steps to fix it yourself!
Why getting a tune-up is important
A tune-up is like cleaning the sheets on your bed, it feels so amazing after! If a bike is not taken care of it can cause damage to its components. In extreme cases, it could lead to costly repair and the frame beyond repair. Make sure your bike is ready to begin logging miles, especially if you’re following these 7 tips to begin triathlon training!
Bike tune-up recommendations
Bicycle House
James Balentine is our go-to man at Bicycle House, he got his first job in the cycling industry at the age of 12. For the last three decades, he’s helped open, manage, and oversee operations at renowned shops throughout Texas. In 2004, James started as a team mechanic for the US National Triathlon team, having now worked over 25 World Championships. In 2013, James became a US Paralympic Triathlon Mechanic and has supported the team at both the Rio and Tokyo Paralympics.
Hill Country Bicycle Works
Hill Country Bicycle Works has been serving the Texas Hill Country in 2 locations since 1995. The owners, Adam and Lisa, rode their bicycles around the world for 3 years (30,000 miles, 17 countries on 4 continents from 1992- 1995). They found the beauty of the Hill Country a perfect place to open a bike shop! With more than 70 years of bike shop experience between them, they have a wealth of knowledge about all aspects of bicycle riding, touring, advocacy, trail building, event promotion, racing, and bicycle repair.
Jack & Adam’s Fredericksburg
Josh Allen started this Hill Country location of the famous Jack & Adam’s Bicycles in 2014. They specialize in carrying triathlon gear and have a full-service department to meet your needs. As a true cyclist destination, he even has a guest house where you can stay right behind the shop in downtown Fredericksburg.
On your next ride, check for indicators that it’s time to tune up your bike. Whether you’re on the go or visiting the Texas Hill Country, our recommendations will make sure you and your bike are good to go. Remember, take care of your ride and it’ll take care of you, whether you’re on a hilly training ride or it’s race day.
