Tune Up
+ Full Video Guides
What is a Tune Up
A tune up is the precise adjusting of the shift cables, brake cables, and adjustment screws. We also examine the whole bike for loose parts and tighten them up.
Why do a Tune Up
Doing a tune up will help you shift and brake perfectly. It is especially important to handle brake tuning to prevent brake system damage.
3A (Rim Brakes): Wheel alignment
Rim brakes need straight rims to grab and slow the bike.
Flip the bike and rotate the wheels slowly
If there is a bend severe enough to be noticed now, watch this guide
Spin the wheels quickly
If there’s a bit of wobble, use a spoke wrench and this guide to fix it
If the wheels is straight, next step
3B (Rim Brakes): Alignment and Tension
If there are any, loosen the spring tension screws as much as possible
Pinch the pads together and put the cable back, once the cable lock is engaging gently, release the pads slightly from the rim
Pull the brake levers a few times
3C (Rim Brakes): Skew
Put the wheel as close to the center of the pads as possible
Tighten the brake arm spring tension screws to move the correlating pad away
Pull the brake lever a few times in between attempts
If there is still noise, it’s likely the tire nubs, cut them
4: Shift Tuning
Tighten barrel adjuster as much as possible
Pull cable to the anchor with pliers and anchor it down at the high tension
Loosen the cable barrel adjuster 1/8 turn at a time and try shifting up
Try this until the result has minimal noise and reaches all gears.
On the highest and lowest gears, make sure the H and L limits are engaged
Quick video guide
1: Preparation
Doing preparation will prevent things getting in the way during the rest of the steps.
Shift to the smallest gears available in the front and rear
Loosen the cable anchor bolts at the derailleur and brakes
2: Cables
Inspect cables for rust, dust, or gritty movement.
Cut off the frayed part or pull off cable caps
If there is no longer at least 1/2 inch past the anchor bolt remaining and the cable goes through the anchor rather than pinched by it, you’ll either need need cables or to modify the anchor to pinch the cable on the side.
Go down the whole cable and release the housing
You should be left with cables hanging from the handlebars
Pull off the housing and keep them in order
Drop chain lubricant in the housings
Use abrasive tools to remove rust from cable
Reassemble the cables except on the anchor bolt
5: Final Check
Inspect all systems for improper assembly
Fix and small miscellaneous errors