Bike hard to paddle compared to others

chrisps

Hi,

I have cycled on and off for quite a while (not seriously though, just bits of local cross-country). My current bike is about 9-10 years old (a 1998-9ish Specialised Rockhopper FS) and I have always accepted how (hard) it feels to peddle. I tend to be reasonably with keeping it maintained (oiling the chain, keeping the brake pads decent, basic fixing of bits etc)

However, recently I was on holiday and hired a Kona Ho'Chi'Min hardtail from a local shop (I don't believe this model is sold in the UK). I was absolutely astounded how easy it was to peddle. The thing just seemed to absolutely fly along compared to my bike. It was so easy to accelerate and ride along.

When I got back, I realised what a dog my bike felt like in comparison. The problem is, I really cant figure out what makes my bike so much harder to peddle. The tyre tread pattern is very similar on both the bikes and the gearing system seemed fairly similar as well.

When I asked a local shop here in the UK, he started telling me that bike design has moved on in the past 10 years, components are lighter, better designed etc etc, however I'm really not sure it could make that much difference.

Also, thinking back to when I first got the bike, I do remember that it seemed harder to peddle at the time compared to my previous "cheap" bike.

Sorry for the long post, but does anyone have any thoughts on what I could do to make my bike easier to peddle, without following the shops suggestion of "buy a new bike"?

Thanks!

Chris

jeffers696

whats the weight compared? hardtrails dont sap your energy i think when you pedel as well

chrisps

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the reply. I unfortunately havent been able to find any stats on the HoChiMin (it seems to be quite rare), however I really cant remember how heavy it felt unfortunately. Could the presumably small weight difference make a big change to how it feels?

I should point out that my bike is a hard tail as well (the FS in the Rockhopper FS stands for "Front Suspension" I think).

Thanks!

Chris

Anonymous

some of it will be down to the frame geometry. if you are sat too far back due to the angle of the seat tube for example, it will be difficult to peddle as each time you push down, you will be trying to push yourself away from the bike's direction of travel.

frame geometry has changed vastly in the last few years and will be very different to a ten yr old bike.

is your bike a hardtail?

chrisps

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestion. I have just taken a photo of my bike and superimposed an '07 Rockhopper frame over the top. From this, I can see that the angle from the saddle to the pedals is identical on mine and the 2007 version. However, the pedals are considerably higher on the 2007 one. Could this make a significant difference to the ride comfort?

I have uploaded the superimposed image to my site, here:

http://www.chrisps.com/quickdrop/98-07rockhopper.jpg

Thanks!

Chris

Blundell

How often do you wheel bearings get serviced? and how old is your entire drive train. These two things play a quintessential role in how well your bike gets propelled forwards.

chrisps

I have to admit, I have never looked at the wheel bearings, as I always discounted that due to the fact the wheels spin fairly freely if I lift the bike of the ground... I am guessing maybe it is something I should go and have a look at?

Also, nothing on the drive train has been replaced since I got the bike, as nothing has broken yet. What specifically could be wrong with the drive train, or what should I look for?

Thanks again!

john74

silly question but is your saddle to low. that will make pedaling harder also when you pedal keep the ball of you foot on the pedal spindle for maximum effecency. brakes may be binding.

chrisps

Hi John,

The saddle is the correct hight - i.e. leg straight when heel on the pedal. The one thing I have just realised though is that the handle bars seem a lot further forward than a posture guide suggests they should be, although they are just about the correct hight (maybe fractionally low).

Do you think this could make a significant difference?

Chris

Xybadog

chrisps wrote:

Hi John,

The saddle is the correct hight - i.e. leg straight when heel on the pedal. The one thing I have just realised though is that the handle bars seem a lot further forward than a posture guide suggests they should be, although they are just about the correct hight (maybe fractionally low).

Do you think this could make a significant difference?

Chris

Out of interest, where did you ride this Kona?

chrisps

Heya,

I hired the bike from "Freewheel Cycles" in Jasper, British Columbia, then cycled it around local trails.

Apparently the bikes were bought from Kona and given a custom paint job and name. I believe (purely from looking at pictures of other Kona bikes), it might have originally been a Kona Hoss