As another newbie to bicyling, I am puzzled by the "tune up" concept and it's accessibility to the masses.
I understand the masses are comprised of people with a different level of "do it yourselferism", but I would like some experienced and possibly pro tuners, to tell me what (aside from truing a wheel which is as much an art as a trade), is so difficult about tuning a bicycle that it warrants a trip to the famous (or infamous depending on your stance, but no, this is NOT another thread about BD versus LBS) bike shop.
I've practiced motocross from my 20's up until I realised in my early 40's that my bones weren't healing as quickly :( , and during that period, spent quite some time "tuning" my machine which was obviously subjected to a little more abuse than a road bike, and requiring permanent attention from one end to the other.
That said, I understand it doesn't necessarily qualifies me to work on a road bike, but just want to find out what constitutes a pro-tune up, that apparently very few are able to do themselves, as I keep reading over and over experiences of people buying a bike online (NO! not a thread about BD vs.LBS!!!) and having to take it to the shop for this mysterious tune up session.
So I would be eternally grateful to this forum (hoping it hasn't been posted before in which case I'm certainly gonna be sent to my homework by a moderator, but I couldn't find one)
if someone could post an exhaustive list of items that constitutes a typical tune up. And again leaving the wheel straightening aside which is a whole other animal in itself requiring much more practice than setting a shifter or the right tension on a break cable.
Thanks in advance to all.

Beginning of season tune up should include.

Checking the tires for cuts or anything embedded in the tread, checking the shifting and adjusting as needed. checking the brakes and making sure the pads are in good shape and not glazed, pick small rocks out of the pads and sand any glazing off. Lube the cables, give the bike a wash and wax and inspect everything for damage or cracks. Check for any wobble in the bearings and measure the chain for wear and replace if needed. And wheel trueing really isn't that hard if you work slowly and carefully.

Some people change their own oir and spark plugs, others take it to a quick lube.

Me personally, if I am pressed for time I will take it to the shop and let them do it. If the wife is out of town and I have a few hours on a rainy Saturday, I will do it myself.

Nothing really mysterious about it. If you have the tools and the time, you can print everything from the Park Tool website and knock yourself out.

I'd consider this a "tune up"

Wipe down bike
Adjust ders and brakes
Lube brake and der cables
True wheels
Make sure everything is tight
Inspect tires
Check to see that hubs are adjusted properly
Check headset and bb
Basic cleaning and lubing of drivetrain

As another newbie to bicyling, I am puzzled by the "tune up" concept and it's accessibility to the masses.
I understand the masses are comprised of people with a different level of "do it yourselferism", but I would like some experienced and possibly pro tuners, to tell me what (aside from truing a wheel which is as much an art as a trade), is so difficult about tuning a bicycle that it warrants a trip to the famous (or infamous depending on your stance, but no, this is NOT another thread about BD versus LBS) bike shop.
I've practiced motocross from my 20's up until I realised in my early 40's that my bones weren't healing as quickly :( , and during that period, spent quite some time "tuning" my machine which was obviously subjected to a little more abuse than a road bike, and requiring permanent attention from one end to the other.
That said, I understand it doesn't necessarily qualifies me to work on a road bike, but just want to find out what constitutes a pro-tune up, that apparently very few are able to do themselves, as I keep reading over and over experiences of people buying a bike online (NO! not a thread about BD vs.LBS!!!) and having to take it to the shop for this mysterious tune up session.
So I would be eternally grateful to this forum (hoping it hasn't been posted before in which case I'm certainly gonna be sent to my homework by a moderator, but I couldn't find one)
if someone could post an exhaustive list of items that constitutes a typical tune up. And again leaving the wheel straightening aside which is a whole other animal in itself requiring much more practice than setting a shifter or the right tension on a break cable.
Thanks in advance to all.
Every basic tune up (which usually runs in the $40-55 range) I've done, which has to be hundreds, includes, in order:

Remove wheels
Fill tires with air
Wipe bike clean
Check all components for anything that needs replacing
Clean wheels
Adjust hub pretension
True/tension wheels
Install wheels
Check for loose bolts
Adjust brakes
Adjust headset/BB preload
Lube and wipe down chain
Adjust derailleurs
Test ride

Usually takes 45-60 minutes, unless something needs replacing

If you can competently do those things yourself, theres no need for my (or anyones) help.

Thanks for clarifying and confirming what I thought: pretty much nothing anybody can't do, with the exception maybe of business college majors as noted in the chain lube thread....
Just kiddin' business college majors!!

Thanks for clarifying and confirming what I thought: pretty much nothing anybody can't do, with the exception maybe of business college majors as noted in the chain lube thread....
Just kiddin' business college majors!!

I think they really meant English majors (or was it General Studies?). :)

At any rate, I taught myself how to overhaul a bike at the age of 14. The only "instruction" available at that time was to have a buddy's bike available to look at when you couldn't remember how something went back together. You need a few specialized tools, but any competent mechanically inclined person can take a bike totally apart (everything that comes apart), clean it, lube it, and put it back together in good working order.