How to Tune Up a Bike at Home: DIY Tips to Save Money

How to Tune Up a Bike at Home

Your reliable local bike shop will likely charge no less than $50 for a basic tune, but it can be hundreds if they need to go deep and replace parts. Learning to work on your own bike will save you the time and money involved in taking it to a bike shop, prevent fun-ending (and potentially dangerous) mechanical failures, and provide you with the satisfaction of embracing the DIY spirit.

This guide will cover the basics to get your bike rolling for spring. For detailed guides to specific parts on your bike, consult Park Tool’s Repair Help website for general instructions or the service manual for the specific component, which is often available on the manufacturer’s website. Sheldon Brown’s amazing website is a witty treasure trove of useful technical information as well.

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7 Ridiculously Simple Upgrades to Make Your Bike Feel Like New

best bicycle upgrades

There’s nothing sweeter than that first ride on a new bike. Your hands settle into a comfortable groove on the bars as your feet march into a smooth rhythm. You seek out a punchy climb only to feel the bike lead ahead with a weightless acceleration.  

But what happens when the honeymoon period is over? We’ll always love our bikes, but how do we get that initial spark back?

What are the best bicycle upgrades? Here are seven tips to help bring back that new bike feeling — without the hefty price tag.  

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