Cycling for Noobs

89 watchers

Diogenes 16 May 12:44pm, 16 May 2024 86,031 posts	0 Diogenes What would you pay for a bike service? I need my brakes and gears done on my hybrid bike My nearest place quotes £35 for each of these. For £70 they do a bronze service which includes the following: Full inspection and quote Adjust gears Adjust brakes Check and inflate tyres Lubricate drivetrain Tyre pressures checked Torque check all fixings and bolts Test ride Does that seem like a reasonable rate. I find bike mechanics, brakes especially, virtually impossible so don't say I should do it myself. I'd rather attempt brain surgery.
Dave W 16 May 1:41pm, 16 May 2024 19,042 posts	0 Dave W Seems reasonable to me. My local mechanic charges £20 P.H. plus parts, so wouldn't be a great deal of difference for a full service.
Meglet 16 May 2:20pm, 16 May 2024 24,652 posts	0 Meglet Bronze service sounds about right. Peace of mind knowing it’s full checked over too.
um 16 May 3:02pm, 16 May 2024 8,455 posts	0 um Mine was charging £50 for that 10 years ago or so. And it's not so much the time they spend, it's the time you save. They may be able to do brakes & gears in 10 -15 mins. I'd take 3 days and they still wouldn't be quite right.
lammo 16 May 3:11pm, 16 May 2024 12,639 posts	0 lammo Indeed, you're paying for the expertise, well worth it in my opinion and the numbers you've quoted seem reasonable
Diogenes 16 May 3:13pm, 16 May 2024 86,041 posts	0 Diogenes Thanks everyone, I a have also found another place that does similar for £60. I just need to work out now whether I will ride it enough to make it worth my while, especially as I also need to invest in a different saddle.
lammo 16 May 3:19pm, 16 May 2024 12,640 posts	0 lammo You only need to ride it once to make it worth your while
um 16 May 3:25pm, 16 May 2024 8,458 posts	0 um And having it done will increase the probability you ride it more than once! (And give you a bit of incentive. Try thinking of the service in £, and then within a few days or weeks, pence per mile ridden!)
MudMeanderer 16 May 5:16pm, 16 May 2024 2,558 posts	0 MudMeanderer Seems about right. You may possibly be able to find a 'Dr Bike' service that pops up and can give it a quick fettle, but I like the idea of building a relationship with a local bike shop. Even if you can potentially do a lot of jobs, a lot can get tricky and awkward (more so with modern bikes) and so it's good to find a local mechanic you have confidence in.
LindsD 16 May 5:52pm, 16 May 2024 67,964 posts	0 LindsD Sounds totally reasonable to me.