Cyclists, it's time for a spring tuneup

PDF | Get your bike ready for Spring

Spring has sprung and with it comes the promise of longer days, tulip and daffodil fields a-burst with color, and mucho abundant sunshine.

All right, two out of three ain't bad.

Nevertheless, now's the time to remove your bike from its place of winter hibernation — likely, shoved behind the folded-up pingpong table in the garage — and get it back on the roads and trails of the Great Northwest. But before you do, you'll need to give your bike a thorough once-over to ensure that it is ride-ready and safe.

In many cases, say if the bike was new or well-maintained last year, all that's needed is a little lube on the chain, a few pumps from the tire pump, and you're good to go.

"But if it's a long time since you've ridden it — and we saw this a lot last year when gas hit $4 a gallon and people brought in bikes they hadn't ridden for 10, 15 years — then you'll likely need a major tuneup," says Marty Pluth, general manager for Greenlake-based Gregg's Cycles. "Depending on the bike and what needs to be done, a major tuneup costs about $100."

You might have bald or cracked tires that need to be replaced. Teeth in your cassette — the gears there at the center of your rear wheel — that have been ground down to mere nubbins. A bottom bracket — that axlelike thingy that connects the two crank arms holding the pedals — that's shot and sounds like a meat grinder when you pedal. Or your bike may have any number of issues that need to be lubed, greased, replaced or otherwise addressed.

Sound intimidating? Some of these things you can do yourself depending on your mechanical inclination, interest and the contents of your toolbox. To ease your fears, we've put together a color poster that shows what areas to focus your inspection on, which tweaks and fixes you can do yourself and which ones you're probably better off letting a paid professional handle.

"A bike is like anything," Pluth says. "If you take care of it, it'll last you for a long time."

Reminders for safer cycling

1. Always wear a helmet.

2. Make sure your bike is safe to ride — tires inflated to recommended air pressure, brakes in proper working order, chain lubricated.

3. If you're going to ride when it's dark, make sure you have adequate lighting to ensure that you can be seen — use flashing headlights and taillights. Wear bright clothing and/or reflective gear such as arm or leg bands.

4. When riding alongside parked cars, be on the watch for opening doors; ride far enough out that an open door can't hit you.

5. Communicate with drivers by making eye contact at intersections; use hand signals when turning and stopping. Don't ride erratically.

6. When riding on urban trails such as the Burke-Gilman, remember that cyclists yield to pedestrians. Use a bell or your voice to signal to pedestrians and other riders when passing.

7. Remember: Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users.