Bike dosent seem as stiff?

[jack smith]

Hi all bit of an odd one here but the past two rides I have done I have noticed an big difference in my bike, it just dosent feel as stiff if you get what I mean especially not under acceleration, first think I checked are the wheels, shimano rs11's 16 spoke front 20 rear, they seem to flex quite abit (not loose hubs more a flex overall) although it's the first time I've ever pulled on them in thatay to check so I'm not sure if they have always been like that, any idea's what it could be? As it just makes my riding feel sluggish and puts me off going out , the bike is specialized allez sport 2013

 

[Hacienda71]

You get lateral flex in wheels hence the reference people make about some wheels being stiffer. Do your wheels spin smoothly and freely?

 

[jack smith]

They do I adjusted the bearings myself to the point they are unbelievably smooth and run for ages off just a small spin, I am 110 kilo though if that could of done something to them but they both run true and spoke tension seems okay from what I know? I can't explain the issue too well but I'm sure others have had it, when I pedal it feels like a lot of energy is going nowhere and is being wasted and generally feels sluggish

 

[Cubist]

Tyres pumped up? QRs tightened properly? Tired legs? Saddle height change?

 

[jack smith]

Tyres are always freshly pumped before a ride and nothing has been adjusted recently, it just seems really odd

 

[ColinJ]

You have knocked one or both of your brake callipers so it is rubbing all the time? (I did that at the start of a 200 km audax ride but did not notice until I got back and wondered why I was totally exhausted! The wheel would only spin 1/4 turn before stopping.)

 

[Cubist]

If your brakes aren't rubbing, then my guess is tired legs. Check you're eating enough, or if you're dieting that you aren't anaemic, and that you aren't overdoing it. I note that you have told us your weight, but not whether you are dieting. If you are, then give your legs a rest by taking it easy or even missing a ride.

 

[screenman]

Of course they flex, you are a big heavy bloke hanging on by a few spokes. It would be that or snap, if they are flexing a lot you will know it before long as they will bend beyond the flex point and end up rubbing somewhere.

 

[uclown2002]

The maximum weight recommendation from shimano is 101 kilos according to Q/A on evans site, so maybe they are struggling under the strain!

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Maybe you've bought a few cycling magazines lately and seen the words "stiff" and "flex" and "sluggish" mentioned a lot, and have now started to think that a bike has to fit into one of these descriptions?

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Hi all bit of an odd one here but the past two rides I have done I have noticed an big difference in my bike, it just dosent feel as stiff if you get what I mean especially not under acceleration, first think I checked are the wheels, shimano rs11's 16 spoke front 20 rear, they seem to flex quite abit (not loose hubs more a flex overall) although it's the first time I've ever pulled on them in thatay to check so I'm not sure if they have always been like that, any idea's what it could be? As it just makes my riding feel sluggish and puts me off going out , the bike is specialized allez sport 2013

What bike have you got? FYI my expensive carbon mtb went that way before snapping and causing some pretty nasty injuries. I just put it down to me being daft as I couldn't spot anything wrong.

Could be just as simple as your getting stronger and fitter and the wheels can't take your weight and additional power capabilities...you are pushing the envelope of those wheels a bit.

 

[jack smith]

My riding has gone way up recently I'm averaging over100 miles a week and riding daily I never feel tired after rides or before them I also run daily I'm pretty sure it isn't tired legs as I have always kept them up to fitness, the breaks are definatley not rubbing, it is probably the wheels flexing, got weighed this morning I'm now 100 kilo haven't been weighed for a couple of weeks my fitness and power output has improved dramatically as I have been cycling out in the moors the past few weeks so it could have something to do with that, just sold my old wheels so I can't stick them on to try, I'll just live with it until it's time to get some summer wheels

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

It seems you are sensing two issues, flex and resistance, which can be related (e.g. by flex at the wheel causing brake rubbing on rim, or flex at the frame affecting the brake cabling). Brake rub can certainly be tested by finding a stretch of open ground release one brake at a time and ride as normal to see if the bike feels different. I guess you can also check what the rim pad clearances are and if pushing the rims with your finger how easy is it for them to touch the pads.

 

[jack smith]

it definatley isnt the breaks, did check it just to be 100 percent today though, but i ride with them pretty far apart anway because i prefer the feel of the levers that way so there would need to be a serious issue to have them rub, the weakness seems to be in the cranks / bottom bracket area

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Try this...

Push the drive side pedal to the bottom of its stroke.
Grip the bike by saddle and bars so you're facing the bike, get a good grip.
Put your foot on the outer edge of the pedal and push with your foot in a bouncy type of repetitive motion.
Listen for creaks or look for obvious movement.
Turn the bike around and try the same on the other side.

Ime it's usually in the second side pushing that faults appear as the first side pushing loads the bike into flex.