Spring Tuning

March is a tough month in New York, as Mother Nature is ever-determined to stifle our anticipations of spring by reminding us, with icy rebuke, that this is still winter. To get through these cold, wet days, I think of the first sun-drenched, 60-degree bike ride that, I tell myself, is just around the corner. If your bike has been collecting dust in a closet or basement since late fall - or even since the late 1970s - you should have it tuned up before taking it out for the first time, lest a mechanical failure deflate your unbridled happiness.

For fairly new bikes (1 to 5 years old), a basic tune-up will do the trick. This entails lubricating and testing the bike's principal parts, such as gears, brakes, and derailleurs, and just making sure that it's in good working order. At most bike shops this will cost you between $30 and $50, not including any new parts. For a young bike that has seen a lot of miles, or one older than 5 years, a cleaning of all bearings in addition to a basic tune-up is in order. This will run you another $25 to $50. For bikes older than 10 years, regardless of mileage, getting the brake and gear cables replaced is a worthwhile investment and will cost an additional $30 to $50.

Bike shops also offer a third level of tuneup: the overhaul. The shop will take your bike completely apart and clean every part and will "true," or straighten, the wheels. This treatment runs between $90 and $200, depending on where you go. Getting your wheels straightened is a good thing if they need it; however, the rest of it isn't necessary for anything other than a very high-end bike that has seen a lot of miles. Besides, if you do that much riding you probably already know how to do most of this yourself.

An upgrade on some things like handlebars and handlebar tape, not to mention saddle, tires, and tubes, and perhaps even wheels, will make a noticeable difference in the pleasure of your rides. If you know that you need specific parts, or just want to make an upgrade, the best place to buy them is www.bikenashbar.com. But because not all bike parts are compatible with all bikes, if you can't be sure that something will work with the bike you have, it's best to let your local mechanic find the part for you.

Most Manhattan shops that sell new, off-the-rack cycles won't have a lot of parts to upgrade your old Raleigh. Bike Works at 106 Ridge Street on the Lower East Side has parts for old bikes, as does Bicycle Station at 560 Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn. If you want to upgrade your derailleur, say, or replace the brake pads and shoes, but aren't sure about compatibility between parts, it's best to take your bike in to one of these shops and let the mechanic take care of it.

If you are a mechanically inclined person and would like to try tuning the bike yourself, basic servicing is something that's easy to figure out and can save you a lot of money. Park, a manufacturer of bike tools, has an explanation of just about every kind of repair that can be done on its Web site, www.parktool.com, under "Repair Help." They also tell you what tools you'll need.

Without a doubt, there's no better way to revel in spring's arrival than riding a bike fast on the open road. Good luck finding that open road.

Shops and Prices

Manhattan

Bicycle Renaissance
430 Columbus Ave. at West 81st Street
Basic tune $40, mid-level (includes wheel true) $60, overhaul $170

Brooklyn

Bicycle Station
560 Vanderbilt Ave, close to Prospect
Park Basic tune $35, overhaul $90

Queens

Bike Stop
37-19 28th Ave. in Long Island City
Basic tune $30, overhaul $169

Bronx

Westchester
2611 Westchester Ave.
Basic tune $45, overhaul $100