Average labor rates and build times at your LBS.

gtpharr · Feb 20, 2011

What is the hourly labor rate at your LBS? The LBS closest to me is $55 per hour.

What would be a resonable number of hours to build a road bike up from bare frame? My LBS said 2.5 - 3.0 hours which includes facing and chasing the headset & BB if necessary. This time also assumes the wheelset is fully assembled and trued.

$55 per hour and 2.5 - 3 hours to build a bike seems reasonable to me. I am just wondering what your LBS charges for the same serviices.

PlatyPius · Feb 20, 2011

My shop rate is $50/hour.

Build from a bare frame depends on where the frame/parts came from.

If the parts OR frame came from me, $30.
If the parts AND frame came from me, free. (Assuming you didn't annoy me with haggling on prices)
If NEITHER the frame NOR the parts came from me $100.

(I don't normally charge by the hour)

old_fuji · Feb 20, 2011

One shop is $1 a minute for any labor...most others have a flat rate for anything that can be done on a bike (i.e. $15 to install a headset, $5 to install a tire, etc.)

orange_julius · Feb 20, 2011

PlatyPius said:
My shop rate is $50/hour.

Build from a bare frame depends on where the frame/parts came from.

If the parts OR frame came from me, $30.
If the parts AND frame came from me, free. (Assuming you didn't annoy me with haggling on prices)
If NEITHER the frame NOR the parts came from me $100.

(I don't normally charge by the hour)

Wow Platy, the rate for "parts OR frame" from you is really cheap. I think you have the right strategy of not normally charging by the hour, but if I were to order a Cyfac frame from you but bring my own complete Campy groupset plus bar/stem/post, how long does it take you to put it all together?

TWB8s · Feb 20, 2011

$1 a minute is pretty standard. Building a bike can be looked at one of two ways. It can either be built or assembled. Built means it's ready to ride/race as soon as it comes out of the stand. Assembled means it will be needing adjustments fairly frequently right away and for some time.

frdfandc · Feb 20, 2011

The LBS I work for has a $50/hr rate. Most items have set prices though.

To do a custom build where the customer supplies all the parts is a set price $200, but I have leeway with the pricing. But that includes all frame prep work required - BB shell chased/faced, headtube checked/reamed if needed.

I'll be finishing up a complete build for a customer tomorrow. Older Specialized Epic Carbon tubed/alloy lugged frame having a full Ultegra 6700 triple setup installed. Customer was charged $100 for assembly due to all the components being purchased in store.

-dustin · Feb 20, 2011

$60/hr

$150 - $200 for a complete build.

PlatyPius · Feb 20, 2011

orange_julius said:
Wow Platy, the rate for "parts OR frame" from you is really cheap. I think you have the right strategy of not normally charging by the hour, but if I were to order a Cyfac frame from you but bring my own complete Campy groupset plus bar/stem/post, how long does it take you to put it all together?

I tend to be very, very thorough (OCD, and all that). Probably about 4 hours.

AvantDale · Feb 20, 2011

My lbs charged me 100 + tax to do a frame swap. That included stripping down the original frame.

Dinosaur · Feb 20, 2011

My LBS charges $130 for a complete bike build. If you purchase a bike from them there is no charge. They have their prices listed on a big sign in the service department, flat rates on everything. No clue how long it takes to build a bike. I've seen them working in pairs slapping a bike together, doesn't take long if you are a pro...they can work fast...

bghill · Feb 21, 2011

I just paid $220 for a build up at my LBS. Shop rate was quoted as $55/hr and estimated time was 3.5 hours. I took the bike in stipped down and all parts were new in box but not purchased from the shop.

Average labor rates and build times at your LBS.

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