First off, if you are still commuting by bicycle to work everyday, here’s a high five. If you’ve taken a short break to wait out the cold weather, it’s all good. Regardless of your current commuting status (which should obviously be the next addition to our Facebook profiles), the days will continue getting longer and Colorado spring will sweep in. Whether you’ve put your trusty, blinky light-laden winter warhorse through your winter work commute or are getting ready to pull it off the ceiling of your garage, a little (or a lot) of TLC should probably be in the works. As much as we all love a new, shiny bicycle, our friends at the Salvagetti bike shop in Highland have advice on a few ways to bring your ride back to life and add a little pep in your pedal.

Tune-up: A simple tune-up is the number one way to better your biking experience. Starting out at just $65, a basic tune means a clean bike, trued wheels (they will roll straight), and working gears and brakes. If you’ve ridden your bike through the winter, it may need a little more than the basics.

Oil: The cheapest and most efficient way to get your bike to run smoother is to lube your chain. Full bottles start at $8, or stop by the shop and the mechanics at Salvagetti said they’d give you a free sample.

Tires: If your bike has been sitting in the garage all winter, beware of rotting tires. If you’ve been on the road all winter, you may want some new treads. A new set starts at $50, but benefits equal less chance for flats and a smoother ride.

Bar Tape: If you are riding a bike with drop bars (think: road bike), a new wrap job make be just the upgrade your bike needs to start off spring. Starting at about $16, you can be daring with a bright new color or stick with standard black.

Locks: If you want your new spiffy bike to last through the workday, a cable lock will only give you a broken heart and empty wallet. Invest in a U-Lock. You won’t regret it when your bike is where you left it, day in and day out.

—Image courtesy of Shutterstock