Tom Captis has been to a lot of repair shops where the staff is only interested in helping the Lycra-clad riders who shave their legs and buy $8,000 rides.

But the 50-year-old senior mechanic at Island Triathlon & Bike in Kapahulu likes to champion the problems of the basic bicyclist.

"I like to keep it as simple as possible," he said. "The bike should take you for a ride, not the shop."

It isn't hard to give your old bicycle a spring tune-up, and you don't have to be a veteran road warrior to do it, Captis said. His basic checklist will give you an idea of what should be adjusted — if not by you, then by a professional — but you might be able to do it yourself.

STOP, NOW

Simply put, your brakes need to feel like they work, Captis said. When you squeeze the brake levers, they should engage freely. They shouldn't be too loose, and you shouldn't have to work too hard to get them to engage. "There should be a nice smooth feel to them," Captis said. An adjustment may require professional service from a bike mechanic, but you can easily change the brake pads for $5 a wheel. Replace the pads if you can't remember if you've ever replaced them, he said.

GOT AIR?

The first question you need to ask deals with the most basic element of your bike: Is there air in the tire? Air will dissipate over time, and that's normal, Captis said. A few pounds of air pressure can make all the difference. Next, inspect the tire for dryness and "alligator skin," a rough texture created by heat and UV rays. You'll ride safer and smoother if you replace it, Captis said. A new tire can cost as little as $15 and a tube as little as $4.

CHAIN, CHAIN, CHAIN

The chain is the heart of your bicycle, and proper care is essential to a smooth running drive train. "Make sure the chain is working, that it is clean and lubricated," Captis said. "It will be quieter, and the bike will actually shift correctly. With no lubricant, it is like dragging a rope over the edge of your porch." A badly rusted chain or one with stiff links should be replaced, but try to clean it first, and you may find you're able to remove a surface patina of rust, he said.

You can clean your chain with any one of many citrus-based, environmentally friendly degreasing agents, he said. Avoid the popular cleaner WD40, he advises, because it will dissipate quickly and leave bare metal. Instead, apply a Teflon-based lubricant available from most bicycle shops. Wipe off any lubricant you can see, Captis said. "Where the stuff rubs internally is where the lubricant needs to be," he said. "You don't want it to look wet."

NUTS & BOLTS

Inspect your bicycle for loose nuts and bolts. If you have quick-release mechanisms, be sure they are snugly in place.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

Wipe down your bike frame with furniture polish, and it will have a nice shiny look, plus you'll help stop rust. Chipped paint can be touched up with nail polish.

SAFETY FIRST

A helmet should be fitted professionally; many bike shops will do this for you. "Helmets are absolutely the most important item you can use," Captis said. "Helmets can be bought for as little as $30 and will meet or exceed every standard on Earth." Captis also recommends gloves, and not because they look cool. If you do take a spill, it's nice to have a sheath of leather between your fleshy palms and the road.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.