Bike Advice- Keeping up with roadbikes

[butters1]

I recently purchased the Kona Sutra 2014 touring bike and went on a weeks trip with friends around northern France, had a great time but despite being roughly the same fitness levels my friends were considerably faster than me.
They were using road bikes around the £800 mark and we're each carrying 2 rear panniers of clothes/sleeping bags/tents.
I would love to hear some advice on steps you may take to allow my kona to close the gap on mostly flat/ slight inclines.

Im using everything stock on my Sutra;

Frame Material Kona Cromoly
Sizes 47, 49, 53, 56, 59, 61cm
Rear Shock n/a
Fork Kona Project Two Touring
Crankarms Shimano Deore
Chainrings 26/36/48t
B/B Shimano BB51
Pedals n/a
Chain KMC HG53
Freewheel Shimano Deore 11-32t 9 spd
Chainguide n/a
F/D Shimano Deore
R/D Shimano LX Treking
Shifters Shimano BarCon
Brake Calipers Hayes CX Expert
Front Brake Rotor Hayes L Series 160mm
Rear Brake Rotor Hayes L Series 160mm
Brake Levers Tektro RL340
Headset TH 848
Handlebar Kona Deluxe Road Bar
Stem Kona XC/Road
Seatpost Kona Double Clamp w/Offset
Seat Clamp Kona Clamp
Grips Kona Cork Tape
Saddle WTB Rocket V Comp
Front Hub Shimano Deore
Rear Hub Shimano Deore
Spokes Sandvik Stainless 14g
Rims Freedom Ryder 21
Front Tire Continental Contact 700x32C
Rear Tire Continental Contact 700x32C

Cheers, Matt

 

[raleighnut]

I recently purchased the Kona Sutra 2014 touring bike and went on a weeks trip with friends around northern France, had a great time but despite being roughly the same fitness levels my friends were considerably faster than me.
They were using road bikes around the £800 mark and we're each carrying 2 rear panniers of clothes/sleeping bags/tents.
I would love to hear some advice on steps you may take to allow my kona to close the gap on mostly flat/ slight inclines.

Im using everything stock on my Sutra;

Frame Material Kona Cromoly
Sizes 47, 49, 53, 56, 59, 61cm
Rear Shock n/a
Fork Kona Project Two Touring
Crankarms Shimano Deore
Chainrings 26/36/48t
B/B Shimano BB51
Pedals n/a
Chain KMC HG53
Freewheel Shimano Deore 11-32t 9 spd
Chainguide n/a
F/D Shimano Deore
R/D Shimano LX Treking
Shifters Shimano BarCon
Brake Calipers Hayes CX Expert
Front Brake Rotor Hayes L Series 160mm
Rear Brake Rotor Hayes L Series 160mm
Brake Levers Tektro RL340
Headset TH 848
Handlebar Kona Deluxe Road Bar
Stem Kona XC/Road
Seatpost Kona Double Clamp w/Offset
Seat Clamp Kona Clamp
Grips Kona Cork Tape
Saddle WTB Rocket V Comp
Front Hub Shimano Deore
Rear Hub Shimano Deore
Spokes Sandvik Stainless 14g
Rims Freedom Ryder 21
Front Tire Continental Contact 700x32C
Rear Tire Continental Contact 700x32C

Cheers, Matt

Try going for a tighter spaced gear cluster 13-28 will still give you less than 1-1 gearing but not such a jump between ratios. Then maybe a size smaller (width) tyre like a 28 but keep any tyre inflated to its max rated pressure and finally check the disc brakes aren't rubbing as this can steal a lot of speed.

 

[helston90]

Upgrade your chain rings to larger ones? Depending on your strength/ stamina/ terrain/total weight I run a triple which is 52/42/38.

 

[raleighnut]

Upgrade your chain rings to larger ones? Depending on your strength/ stamina/ terrain/total weight I run a triple which is 52/42/38.

Can't see the point of a 38 or is it a typo? If it is a 38 wouldn't you be better off with a 52/38 double.

 

[butters1]

Cheers for the responses. Prioritizing things, would you go for a tighter spaced cluster first? think you could send a link to a suitable one? very much new to bikes! thanks

 

[ianrauk]

It's not the gear, it's the engine.

 

[helston90]

Can't see the point of a 38 or is it a typo? If it is a 38 wouldn't you be better off with a 52/38 double.

Sorry, you're right- it's a typo, it's a 30, I can't say I've needed it (so far) but it's there if I do- 52/42/30.

 

[butters1]

It's not the gear, it's the engine.

This a rude way of saying as I get fitter, the gearing wouldnt be a problem and ill be able to keep up?

 

[ianrauk]

This a rude way of saying as I get fitter, the gearing wouldnt be a problem and ill be able to keep up?

Exactly...

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

I would love to hear some advice on steps you may take to allow my kona to close the gap on mostly flat/ slight inclines.

Since we are talking about touring with panniers, unless there is something wrong with it like brake rub or shot hub/bb bearings, a Sutra must be very close to optimum if not perfect for the purpose.

Apart from the engine, two common issues that can make a difference are high tyre pressure when the road surface is smooth, and correct saddle height. Many novices have saddles too low which will have a significant impact on effective and efficient power transfer. A good rule of thumb is that your leg should be very nearly straight if you put your heel on the pedal when it is at its lowest position.

 

[TheDoctor]

Sorry to say this, but I think the answer is simply that your friends are fitter than you are as yet.
Just keep riding. It'll come...

 

[uclown2002]

+1 for improving fitness; just ride your bike more often and that'll make a huge difference!

 

[boydj]

very much new to bikes! thanks

I think that's your answer - if your friends are more experienced they'll be more efficient on the bike. I don't know how you are measuring fitness, but raw fitness is not the best guide to how you'll perform on the bike.

 

[Donger]

I agree with the comment about getting some 700x28s on there and pumping them up near their max pressure , but I also think your mates should be prepared to compromise by slowing down a tad -perhaps by letting you ride at the front for periods, setting a comfortable pace.

One other thought is that, with things as they are, you are getting much more valuable training in than they are. I have found that riding with a group of friends who are slightly faster than you is the best way to continually improve. It forces you to keep your concentration, really think about your gear changes, and put in more effort than everyone else.

When I first got back into cycling, I deliberately kept using an old, heavy, obsolete bike, even though I kept getting overtaken by everyone else on a bike. I'm actually glad I didn't change up to a faster bike until I had reaped the benefit of slogging away on a slower one with 35mil tyres and fewer gears.