tune up, etc......

[picksbigwagon]

well, now that my kids are into riding their bikes more and more, I figure it is time I shake the dust off my giant GIANT Mtn bike (24" frame, yep you read that correctly). It has been moth balled the last 2 or 3 years, so what can I expect to pay a shop to do a once over on it.

My wife has a cross over bike that needs it done as well. I know we both need new tires since they are cracked and need replacement. It has been years since I changed a bike tire, but I remember it isn;t too hard. What kind of tire do you recommend for a Mtn bike that probably won't see the trails, but more sidewalks.....0r is there a tire that will allow both? I am not trying to start a new hobby, but the kids have been wanting to venture further out of the neighborhood.

[asdfdrew]

I can't say much to the tire replacement issue, I know there are some new hybrid tires that are supposed to handle good all-around. I revived my Trek 4400 last year, brought it to 2 shops here in Roseville and the tune-up ran between $60-$75 without parts. I ended paying more at the smaller shop but I thought the customer service was well worth it.

[shizzy]

There are plenty of options for tires. Just go in to your LBS and tell them what kind of riding you do. I have a set of smooth tires I swap on my winter beater mountain bike once the weather warms up. That bike is my winter bike with knobby tires then becomes my around the neighborhood/errand running bike with smooth tires since its beat up and not worth anything.

[yakfisher]

If you do decide to swap your own tires make sure to get tire levers and do not use screw drivers. They can damage rims and puncture tubes and tires. $60 or so is about right depending on the condition of cables housing and pads it also might take a couple of weeks depending n how many bikes are in line for tune ups ahead of you.

[itchmesir]

Get yourself some GEAX StreetRunners... Great tires.. Very cheap.. Slick mids with side traction... I put over a 1000mi on my pair and they barely look used... A full tune up at my local LBS runs about $80.. If you bought your bike at your local LBS.. they may still give you a discount on tune ups

[picksbigwagon]

Took them into Michael's cycles in Prior Lake on Tuesday, they said about a week...the prices are pretty much what was discussed above. He did mention to me if I was interested in a new one, a 29" bike would be the way to go for a normal sized guy like me (6'7", more than 250 for now).....he even offered to have me try one out, which I declined knowing I would have walked out with a new bike. My question to him was if 29" tires were so great for moutain bikes, why haven't we seen them on the Tour?

[yakfisher]

29ers are becoming more and more popular among the pro xc racers. As for the tour they ride a 700c tire which is actually a 29 in wheel. I picked a 29er mountain bike this year, and I love it. Have fun riding with the kids this summer and remember only two weeks until the tour!