What should a shop charge to swap headset **Final outcome**

msriddle · #1 09-07-2019, 10:37 PM

I need to change out a standard 1 1/8 headset. Basically knock out the cups and press in new cups. Approximately how much should that cost? I have the new headset.

Thanks.

bigbill · #2 09-07-2019, 10:48 PM

$20-50? Are you going to shop around for a headset swap or try to talk them down? Most shops have hourly rates and some have flat rates for certain items. The shop has to have the tools, a paid mechanic, and all the overhead that goes with it.

dave thompson · #3 09-07-2019, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbill

$20-50? Are you going to shop around for a headset swap or try to talk them down? Most shops have hourly rates and some have flat rates for certain items. The shop has to have the tools, a paid mechanic, and all the overhead that goes with it.

...and the knowledge to do it right.

Blue Jays · #4 09-07-2019, 11:26 PM

Put that new headset on your shelf that you bought elsewhere for a future frame.
Buy a new headset from your local bicycle shop. Have them install it.
Cheerfully pay them. Bring them a nice six-pack to enjoy if it was a rush job.

jtbadge · #5 09-07-2019, 11:29 PM

If you’re that stingy, learn how do to it at your local bike co-op. Costs me $4 each time.

Or buy a new headset from your LBS and they’ll probably install it free.

zmalwo · #6 09-07-2019, 11:35 PM

In the age of internet it's usually better just do it yourself. Take Shimano stuff for example, you only need about $45 worth of tools to assemble everything on to your new frame yet they charge anywhere from $120 to $200 to do it in bike shops. Even the initial cost is lower than the initial cost from a shop, just think about how much it will save you down the road. It's better just look up the procedure on YouTube and buy a bearing press to do the job yourself in my opinion.

CiclistiCliff · #7 09-07-2019, 11:39 PM

If bike is complete and customer wants to pick it up ready to ride - 80. Remove brake, remove headset, replace crown race, clean, install new headset, reinstall brake/stem, make necessary adjustments and clean bike.

If bike if just frame/fork - 50. Remove old cups and crown race, clean, install new parts, adjust headset if stem/spacers provided.

Tools aren't cheap, experienced mechanics aren't cheap, keeping the doors open so that you can run in for the 'last minute repair' isn't cheap.

Let's not forget all the free information.....

joosttx · #8 09-08-2019, 12:01 AM

A little less (mmm, 15% less) than it costs you to buy the tools and do it yourself.

marciero · #9 09-08-2019, 05:24 AM

Some shops post their labor rates, which seem to be on par with auto rates, $80-$100/hr. All that knowledge, tools, experience overhead is built into that. I dont see why bike shop labor rates should be any more or less than auto.

A bare bones headset- you bring in frame with fork removed. They remove headset, install cups and crown race but do not install. That might take 5-10 min but it would seem reasonable to round up to the closest 15 min, or to have a 15 min minimum. So 20-$25. $50 would be exorbitant for that.

tuscanyswe · #10 09-08-2019, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marciero

Some shops post their labor rates, which seem to be on par with auto rates, $80-$100/hr. All that knowledge, tools, experience overhead is built into that. I dont see why bike shop labor rates should be any more or less than auto.

A bare bones headset- you bring in frame with fork removed. They remove headset, install cups and crown race but do not install. That might take 5-10 min but it would seem reasonable to round up to the closest 15 min, or to have a 15 min minimum. So 20-$25. $50 would be exorbitant for that.

Do you know how many customers asks 100 questions and then decide not to do that headset install after all. Or brings you the wrong headset for the fork and or frame. Or just have old stuff that dont work and then thinks you have done a poor job etc etc

20 for headset replacement is super cheap and not available anywhere around these parts at least.

buddybikes · #11 09-08-2019, 06:06 AM

Why did it go in the first place? Headsets these days should have a good long life. You have 3 main pieces that need to be 100% parallel. Steer race (which is a tool itself unless you want to hack something together) then bottom and top races.

oldpotatoe · #12 09-08-2019, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msriddle

I need to change out a standard 1 1/8 headset. Basically knock out the cups and press in new cups. Approximately how much should that cost? I have the new headset.

Thanks.

Depends on if the headtube and fork needed to be faced..

$35-$55 or so.