Just curious how much on average it should cost to replace a tube for a front and back wheel of a bicycle. I took my bike in to have the tube replaced in ONLY the back wheel, and was shocked to have paid >65 CHF!!

Did I pay too much, or is this really the going rate?

Before I knew how much I was going to pay, I dragged my other bike down, which also had a flat front tire (darned Zurich construction!!). They told me even the front one would cost 50 CHF! Since I was already there, I reluctantly left it, but left wondering if I was being fleeced.

Looks like I need to learn how to replace my own...yikes.

Learn to do it yourself it it actually a very easy task.



a Generic tube costs CHF 5.50 at the Migros SportXX, a set of levers cost probably other CHF 5.-

Or get a patch kit ( some 3 CHF ) and then you have there material to fix many flats ( no need of throwing the tubes away everytime )



You'd need an inflator, so some CHF 20 to CHF 30 for a standard quality one or 60-100 for a good one.

Yes, I repaired for the first time 2 tubes using a migros patch kit and it took me less than 30min for both. It's really easy and it was fun with the kids showing them how to find the holes using water.

Many thanks! Very helpful indeed.

Sorry that you have been ripped of. Always ask bevore how much it will cost, to replace an inflator should not cost more than Fr. 20.- for labour.

Thanks, Tom - definitely learned my lesson on this one...I know I'm mainly to blame since I did not get a quote ahead of time. When I inquired as to the source of the problem (was it that the tire was too old, had crack(s), or was it just the tube), they acted too busy to bother looking, so I didn't press them further for a quote. My mistake!

I went to Elsner Velo, one that had been recommended on this site, so I was very unpleasantly surprised by the costs They certainly won't be getting any more of my business!

Bike shops in Zürich city are really very expensive.

They are good and have a nice stock of bikes but their labor prices are "unpleasant" as you say.

can't blame them though, the costs of setting up a high end shop in Zürich City are also very high.

Hmm, good point. Still wondering whether that cost is too high even for Zurich city? Maybe I'm just a bit sensitive that since I'm a woman, repair shops can sometimes take advantage...though I like to believe, and my experience has been, that the Swiss are generally honest.

Well either way, this has prompted me to learn it on my own

I'd say 59 CHF to change a tube is way too high... unless they also changed the tyre too.

Nope, just the tube...eesh.

Elsener are absolute rip off merchants. My wife had a bike serviced there years ago - they then did a lot of work without authorisation and she had to cough up the 400CHF!

The bike shop in Zollikon is very fair on price.

Replacing/repairing an inner tube should be an easy job - expecially if you have disc brakes - and shouldn't make a difference front or rear. Saying that I have to do the wife's bike!

Never needed the water method of finding the hole though - run it close to your lips and you'll feel the air easy enough. Although repairing is possible - and cheap - a new inner tube is considerably quicker.

Elsener's one and only redeeming feature is their free to use air system. We are trying to get the 400chf back one tyre at a time!

...don't forget to reconnect your brake cable once the wheel is back on the bike

hi there, yes its way way too high. I got my tyre changed before the Lausanne Cycle Tour a few weeks ago (an organised ride / race around lausanne) after a blowout and the athleticum tent changed the tyre for 10 CHF.

But as everyone is saying, just do it yourself, its a doddle.

Can't speak for Zürich but around here I find the bike shop labour charges pretty reasonable considering the wages they have to pay. CHF 10 to change a set of Avid disc pads is an absolute bargain given the physical and mental cost of the DIY alternative (if you have Shimano or Magura brakes don't criticise me until you've changed Avid ones).

However, I agree CHF 65 for a simple tube is a complete rip-off. Perhaps partially excusable if your bike has the older Nexus gearing/hub brake arrangement I came across once and was a complete pain and time consuming to remove and re-fit....but still not CHF 65 worth either.

Athleticum (e.g. store at Sihlstrasse near Stauffacher) has fairly humane prices for bike repairs by Zurich standards.

They probably didn't patch the tube, but put a new one in. That should take 10 minutes at the most, less than 5 if one is experienced and in a rush. So basically they were charging you CHF400 per hour

Its not that difficult. Its literally less then a 5 minute job on the trail with the tools from my backpack!

65chuffs cheeky ers

If anyone needs their bike looked at ill happily assist at a far more competitive price or return of favour. Im near Seebach if you need help.