Service

Regardless of how much a bike shop charges for any service, very few bike mechanics get rich fixing bikes. Maybe not even one ever in history, seriously. We're just trying to keep the lights on. We encourage you to learn how to fix your own bike. We'll even teach you.

This gets it's own section, just 'cause. A flat fix usually involves

1. Inspecting the wheel, tire, and inner tube 

2. (Often) removing the offending thorn or glass or whatever

3. Installing a new inner tube

Sometimes you'll need new rim tape, or a whole new tire. Some tire don't have inner tubes

Call it what you want: standard service, full service, routine service, tune-up... it involves activities like inspecting, cleaning, adjusting, and lubricating. Typically it's easier, faster, and less expensive than Corrective Maintenance (a.k.a. repair).

Here's what we do:

• Inspect and wipe down frame, fork, and wheels.

• Remove and inspect wheels, adjust bearings, spoke tension, and tire pressure.

• Clean and lubricate chain/drivetrain, while still on the bike, adjust gears/shifters.

• Check seat binder, seat post, stem, headset, crank, bottom bracket, etc., adjust as needed. 

• Inspect and adjust brake pads and cables/lines.

Notes:

• Parts not included!

• Wipe down and cleaning are modest. Extensive cleaning may incur additional cost - or look at the other services below.

• Prices are different for different sorts of bikes, that only makes sense

• • "Normal" two-wheel geared bike with front and rear brakes | $150

  • Single speed bicycle, kids or adult | $150 - $50 = $100

  • E-bike | $150 + $50 = $200

  • Three-wheeled bike, cargo bike, or tandem | $150 + $50 = $200

  • Cargo E-bike | $150 + $75 = $225

  • Unicycle | No uni service, that's just weird. Just kidding, we'll make it up on the spot.

All the stuff above, PLUS...

• Comprehensive wheel truing

• Drivetrain deep cleaning (parts come off the bike) or replacement (parts not included)

• Labor to install new shift and brake cables, inner wires and housing (parts not included)

• Labor to install new brake pads (parts not included)

• Headset bearing service (includes new standard ball bearings, but not cartridge bearings)

• Bottom bracket bearing service (includes new standard ball bearings, but not cartridge bearings)

Stuff brakes, we fix it. Stuff wears out and stops working correctly, and starts makes other parts wear out faster - we replace it.

Strip it down to a bare frame, clean it all, reassemble. 

Jeez that's seems like a lot of money.

This service makes an old bike new again. Not all bikes can handle it, not all bikes are worth it, but if yours can and is, and you want to keep rolling with your old friend, do this. THIS SERVICE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING NEW PARTS (AS DESIRED):

• New cassette

• New chain

• New brake cables, cable housing, and pads

• New shift cables and cable housing

• New grips or bar tape

• New saddle

• New tires

• New inner tubes

• New rim tape

If you think you might want this service, lets talk about it. We'll inspect the bike thoroughly before accepting the job. Afterwards, you can come in for FREE ADJUSTMENTS anytime for THREE YEARS. What?! Yeah.

The new parts you'll get on a signature build will be practical - excellent quality but not super-Gucci-deluxe. If you want to pick and choose your own bits and pieces, or have a particular aesthetic, style, or purpose in mind, let's talk about it. 

If you don't see it here, ask.

• Cursory inspection and estimate | FREE

• Minimum labor charge | $30

• Safety Checkover | $60

• Install tire and inner tube, per wheel | $30

• Install tubeless tire, valve, and sealant, per wheel | $50

• Add sealant to tubeless system, per wheel | $30

• Wheel truing (spoke tension adjustment), per wheel | $30 +

• Shifter/gear adjustment, per shifter | $30

• Brake adjustment, per brake| $30

• Hydraulic brake service/bleed (includes mineral oil fluid) | $60

• Headset or hub bearing adjustment | $30

• Bottom bracket service | $60

• Wheel build | $100 + parts

I've worked with or for or near all of the people below. Not recently, certainly, but enough to trust them and recommend them. If you think you should be listed here, and maybe I forgot about you, give a call.

• Chris Militello and Chris Davidson - Arrow Bicycle

• Linda Mack - Silver Cycles

• Matt Moore - District Velo

• Omar - Nomad Bicycle Works

• Phil Koopman - Bicycle Space

• Tim Fricker - Bikes@Vienna

There are LOTS of bikey people who I don't know doing bikey things that I don't know about in and around DC. I suspect most of them do good work. Very few people in the bike business are in it for the money.