Basic Bike Maintenance
Cycling isn’t just motion — it’s machinery in motion. Every ride leaves a trace: dust on the chain, grit in the cassette, tension through the brakes and cables. Maintenance isn’t a chore; it’s care. When you clean your bike, you’re not just preserving parts — you’re protecting the freedom to ride again tomorrow.
Daily Routine: 2–5 minutes
After most rides — especially dusty or wet ones — a quick ritual keeps your bike feeling new.
- Wipe the chain
Run a rag along the links to remove grime. A clean chain is a fast chain. - Check tire pressure
Under-inflated → harder work, risk of pinch flats
Over-inflated → harsh ride, less grip
(You’ll learn your sweet spot.) - Inspect brake pads & cable/hose alignment
A light rub now is better than a scream later. - Tighten bolts — gently
Snug, not cranked. Torque is awareness, not aggression. - Look, don’t rush
A simple visual scan teaches you to spot issues early — a superpower on long rides and trips.
This routine prevents 90% of mechanical headaches you’ll ever experience.
Weekly Flow: 10–20 minutes
Once a week — or every 3–6 rides — spend a little more time.
- Lubricate the chain (sparingly)
Wipe off excess — lube is lubricant, not glue. - Wash the frame
Sponge, bucket, and soft brushes. Skip the pressure washer (it forces water into bearings). - Spin the wheels
Watch for rubbing, wobbling, or brake contact. - Shift through all gears
Smoothness tells you everything. If shifting is loud or hesitant, the cables or derailleur need attention.
Think of this phase as tuning the instrument before the next performance.
Seasonal Reset: Every 3–6 months
You don’t need to be a mechanic — just systematic.
- Deep clean drivetrain (cassette, chainring, pulleys)
- Replace worn cables or housing if shifting feels slow or gritty
- Re-grease key bearings (or have a shop do it)
- Check chain stretch (shop can measure in 10 seconds)
- Replace brake pads when thin or glazed
An annual shop tune-up is never a sign of inexperience. Even pros rely on mechanics. The goal is longevity — of both bike and body.
When to Visit a Shop
Take your bike in when you notice:
- Persistent shifting problems
- Grinding or creaking from the bottom bracket area
- Wheel wobble that doesn’t go away after truing
- Brake fade or lack of stopping power
- Damage after a crash or impact
Your job is to listen to the machine. Their job is to fix what you hear.
Mindset: Care as Practice
A clean bike rides better — but it also feels better. Quiet gears, smooth shifting, responsive brakes… the work pays you back immediately.
Maintenance is presence:
- A rag on the chain
- Air in the tires
- A careful eye on bolts and cables
Small acts protect big freedom.
Running | Sendō
Running is one of the most accessible and effective forms of exercise, offering a multitude of benefits for both physical and mental health.
Sendō
Strength Training | Sendō
For a long time, endurance athletes saw strength training as optional. But research and real-world experience tells a different story: strength training isn’t just a bonus - it’s essential.
Sendō
Yoga | Sendō
Yoga is far more than just physical postures; it’s a rich, multifaceted practice that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit.
Sendō
Mindset | Sendō
Explore your mental framework. Consider the hard facts of reality that you have to deal with. Develop your own system of being. Make it clear to yourself and others. Keep evolving.
Sendō
Nutrition & Hydration | Sendō
Nutrition plays a crucial role in a runner’s performance and recovery. Eating the right foods at the right times can fuel your runs, enhance endurance, and speed up recovery.
Sendō
Sleep & Recovery | Sendō
Sleep is the most underrated performance tool out there. It’s when your body rebuilds muscle, balances hormones, consolidates memory, and restores energy. Skip it, and all your hard work gets taxed. Prioritize it, and you unlock superhuman gains.
Sendō
Training Injuries | Sendō
From novice runners to seasoned athletes, understanding common running injuries and how to prevent them is essential for a safe routine.
Sendō
Choose Your Bike | Sendō
Choosing the Right Bike for You Choosing a bike isn’t about trends or tech — it’s about feel. When the machine moves in sync with your breath and balance, you stop noticing the bike and start noticing the ride. That’s when cycling becomes effortless, meditative, and personal. Choose
Sendō
Bike Fit & Comfort | Sendō
Bike Fit & Comfort A perfect bike isn’t the one with the best specs — it’s the one that disappears underneath you. When your position is dialed in, effort flows smoothly, breathing comes easily, and riding becomes something you could do for hours. Bike fit isn’t vanity or perfectionism.
Sendō
Cycling Gear | Sendō
Cycling Gear & Essentials Less gear, more freedom. Cycling doesn’t require much — but what you bring matters. The goal isn’t to look “pro” or load your bike with gadgets. It’s to carry the few things that help you ride farther, safer, and more comfortably without thinking about them.
Sendō
Bike Maintenance | Sendō
Basic Bike Maintenance Cycling isn’t just motion — it’s machinery in motion. Every ride leaves a trace: dust on the chain, grit in the cassette, tension through the brakes and cables. Maintenance isn’t a chore; it’s care. When you clean your bike, you’re not just preserving
Sendō
Bike Upgrades | Sendō
Bike Upgrades: Where to Start Cycling will always tempt you with more — carbon here, titanium there, aero everything. It’s easy to believe that better gear equals better riding. But the truth is that upgrades only remove friction so the rider can grow. Upgrade to enhance feel, not status. Every
Sendō
Build Endurance | Sendō
Building Endurance the Smart Way Patience builds power.
Endurance isn’t born from suffering — it’s built brick-by-brick through consistency. Your body adapts when it’s asked to, not when it’s punished. The athletes who go far aren’t the ones who ride the hardest — they’re the ones
Sendō
Climb & Descend | Sendō
Climbing & Descending Techniques The hill isn’t your enemy. It’s your teacher. Cyclists talk about suffering on climbs and flying on descents — but both are just expressions of rhythm. Climbing rewards patience; descending rewards trust. Master both, and the landscape stops being a barrier and becomes a playground. Endurance
Sendō
Track Progress | Sendō
How to Track Cycling Progress Progress isn’t just speed — it’s understanding. Cycling can drown you in metrics: heart rate, power, cadence, FTP, elevation, TSS, VO₂ max. Data can sharpen your training — or steal its joy. Here’s what matters: Track enough to grow. Ignore enough to stay free. Endurance
Sendō
Bike Fit Assistant | Sendō
Bike Fit
Route Planner Bike Fit Assistant Quick starting points for size & contact points. Refine with a pro fit as you progress. Units cm
in Height Inseam Measure barefoot from floor to groin. Riding Style Road / Endurance
Gravel
MTB (Trail/XC)
Tri / TT
Commuter / Hybrid Frame Size
—
— Saddle Height (BB
Sendō
Route Planner | Sendō
Bike Fit
Route Planner Route Planning Suite Estimate ride time, effort, and fuel needs. Tuned for Texas — good anywhere. Texas Quick-Presets Choose a preset…
Veloway Laps (3.1 mi, ~120 ft)
Hill Country Rollers (20 mi, 800 ft)
Driftwood Scenic (35 mi, 1500 ft)
Brushy Creek Mixed (10 mi, 350
Sendō
Casual Cycling Program | Sendō
Casual Cycling Program Cycling 101 is the starting point for new riders or returning athletes. The goal is simple: learn how to handle your bike confidently, pedal smoothly, pace smartly, and build the fitness to ride 30–45 minutes comfortably without feeling wrecked. It’s ideal for: * New cyclists * Runners
Sendō
25-Mile Cycling Program | Sendō
25-Mile Cycling Program This 6-week program is the bridge between “I can ride” and “I can go long.” It’s designed to build comfort, confidence, and endurance so that riding 25 miles (40 km) feels exciting — not intimidating. It’s ideal for: * Riders who completed Cycling 101 * Riders who can
Sendō
50-Mile Cycling Program | Sendō
50-Miler Training Program Here’s an 8-week training plan to help you ride 50 miles / 80 km confidently, without bonking or falling apart near the end. The plan gradually increases your long-ride time, strengthens your climbing, and dials in your fueling so you can actually enjoy the day. It’s
Sendō
100-Mile Cycling Program | Sendō
100-Miler Cycling Program Here’s a 12-week training plan to help you ride 100 miles / 160 km confidently, without bonking, blowing up at mile 70, or questioning your life choices at every hill. The plan builds endurance, climbing strength, sustainable pacing, and the fueling strategy needed to stay strong for
Sendō
Subscribe to get updates on new content, merch and more from Sendō Worldwide.
Browse the Online Shop for apparel, accessories and training books to equip yourself for the path ahead.
Have a tip, story, or idea? It could end up in a future post. Email me anytime with questions, thoughts, or even confessions — we're all in this together.
