Get Your Bike Ready for Riding Season

Now that the weather has officially turned to spring,  bicyclists of all ages are dreaming of taking to the streets and parks.

It means cyclists need to get their bikes ready for the season. Matt Sordill, High Gear Cyclery service manager, said getting a yearly bike checkup is vital.

"People bring in bikes that are in very questionable condition. These bikes shouldn't be on the road, they're dangerous, " he said.

At the very least, he cautions you need to check that all the nuts and bolts are tight—that means inspecting the bike's pedals and wheels. It's also important to eyeball your tires to make sure that they have the proper tread and aren't dry rotted or cracked. Make sure tires have the correct pressure too.

Sales manager John Martin said the number one safety item is a helmet. "You may not realize, Martin said, "Helmets are dated and should be replaced about every three years because the protective foam dries out."

Sordill offered some tips for a safe and fun biking experience.  Make sure the bike's seat height is correctly adjusted—did your child grow over the winter? Sordill also suggested making sure when you set out on the road you bring along the following items:  a helmet, gloves, water bottle, cycling socks and Road Id. Keep your bike's saddle bag packed with additional tire tubes and an emergency tool. Make sure your bike is equipped with a blinking light and you have reflective strips on your clothes.

Sordill told us, however, the most common reason bikes are brought in for major repairs isn't because the bike is run off the road, hit by a car or is in a collision. It's because people forget their bikes are loaded onto top-of-car racks. They then head for drive-though banks or fast food restaurants and run into trouble when high-sitting bikes hit low roofs.