Is it my bike , or is it me (thats so slow)?

[fit447]

I've recently started cycling at weekends and have been exploring the National Cycle network in my area. My longest ride so far has been 14,miles which I coped with fine, except for a bruised bum. I'm reasonably fit, having recently moved over to cycling from running, but couldn't keep up with the others in my group, even on the flat. Is my bike likely to be slowing me down? Its a Raleigh AT05 Freeride All terrain. it was originally bought for commuting, and has chunky knobbly tires. I plan to get it services as I can hear a bit of 'grinding' and it seems generally nosier than my mates bikes. They all ride similar bikes, no road bikes in our group.

 

[GreigM]

If they are on similar bikes then it's you You might well be fit but probably not bike fit

Be worth checking the grinding is not your wheels rubbing against the brakes though slowing you down.

 

[byegad]

Changing the tyres to a lightly treaded one will add several mph. A grinding noise is definitely not good news and needs sorting soon. Sustrans paths vary massively but if you find one that needs proper chunky tyres you'd be unfortunate. Personally I'd avoid a section like that as getting the mud off the bike can be a right pain. Pressure washing it will force water into every possible crevice and cause more problems than enough.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

The knobbly tyres won't help. You could try changing to a slick or a touring tyre which will roll easier. Sounds like that service on the bike is needed which may make a big difference.

As mentioned above, running fitness isn't the same as cycling fitness and it may take a while to adjust.

Edit: Beaten to it bygad! Another thought - is the bike set up right for you? I have a bee in my bonnet about beginner cyclists setting their saddle too low (there is a common misconception it should be set so you can easily put both feet on the floor when seated).

 

[fit447]

So it looks like Im off to my local bike shop for a service. Its funny how when commuting, I never thought about speed. it was only when I was overtaken so much on the cycle trails, I registered that I was a tortoise. Others in the group have done far less cycling than me, as Ive commuted to work sporadically on my bike. Even my daughter who hasn't cycled for years was nudging at my back wheel. Do you think a service and tyre change would be the place to start, or just the service and see if that helps?

 

[fit447]

Ive just googled my bike, and its described as a mountain bike. Am I expecting too much speed from it? This bike stuff is really confusing.

 

[Batgirl]

The knobbly tyres won't help. You could try changing to a slick or a touring tyre which will roll easier. Sounds like that service on the bike is needed which may make a big difference.

As mentioned above, running fitness isn't the same as cycling fitness and it may take a while to adjust.

Edit: Beaten to it bygad! Another thought - is the bike set up right for you? I have a bee in my bonnet about beginner cyclists setting their saddle too low (there is a common misconception it should be set so you can easily put both feet on the floor when seated).

Guilty as charged..

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Guilty as charged..

Not good that. It makes the bike feel really hard work to pedal and will make your knees hurt.

Regular readers can look away for a moment while I repeat my usual advice: An easy way to get it about right is to set the saddle so that with your heel on the pedal, your leg is straight at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Your leg will then have around about the right amount of bend in it when pushing with the ball of the foot and it can be fine tuned to suit you from there.

The technique does work but may feel odd to start with - here was the reaction I got from @Pat "5mph"

 

[Batgirl]

Not good that. It makes the bike feel really hard work to pedal and will make your knees hurt.

Regular readers can look away for a moment while I repeat my usual advice: An easy way to get it about right is to set the saddle so that with your heel on the pedal, your leg is straight at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Your leg will then have around about the right amount of bend in it when pushing with the ball of the foot and it can be fine tuned to suit you from there.

The technique does work but may feel odd to start with - here was the reaction I got from @Pat "5mph"

Thanks - I got a new seat bolt through today with a view to raising it, even just a little at a time. I wobble when I start off and some of that is the time it takes to get my leg as HIGH as it'll go to get left foot onto the pedal as there isn't a lot of room. I met a friend last ride and she gave me a pep talk too.. off to read the post - thanks for the advice, I will listen I promise.

Sorry for hijacking the thread OP.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Ive just googled my bike, and its described as a mountain bike. Am I expecting too much speed from it? This bike stuff is really confusing.

Well, it's not going to be as fast as a road bike but a mountain bike can be tweaked to go reasonably well.

 

[Ganymede]

So it looks like Im off to my local bike shop for a service. Its funny how when commuting, I never thought about speed. it was only when I was overtaken so much on the cycle trails, I registered that I was a tortoise. Others in the group have done far less cycling than me, as Ive commuted to work sporadically on my bike. Even my daughter who hasn't cycled for years was nudging at my back wheel. Do you think a service and tyre change would be the place to start, or just the service and see if that helps?

Also check you are pumping up your tyres enough. I relied on an regular old hand-pump for ages but have just bought a track pump and the difference is really noticeable.

As for being slow - maybe it's a sort of habit? I walk extremely fast and my fairly fit husband can never keep up with me - he has a more relaxed walking style and that's that. He's faster on a bike and much stronger. If you have been in the habit of pootling along rather than zooming, then perhaps that's one of the things you like about cycling - speed is not everything, by any means!

 

[fit447]

well, I've just booked my bike in for a service. I have the tyres pumped to the correct pressure (its about the only thing I CAN sort out on my bike myself at the moment), and the saddle is at the right height. I'll see if the service helps. You're right though, speed isn't everything, and I always expect a lot from myself. I need to remember I don't have to be at the front of the group.

 

[Ganymede]

well, I've just booked my bike in for a service. I have the tyres pumped to the correct pressure (its about the only thing I CAN sort out on my bike myself at the moment), and the saddle is at the right height. I'll see if the service helps. You're right though, speed isn't everything, and I always expect a lot from myself. I need to remember I don't have to be at the front of the group.

You sound a bit like me!

 

[Retribution03]

This is that sort of advice that can never be repeated enough.I see people riding (those just going from A to B) and think your bikes not set up right and your using too much energy I don't say anything as would probably get looked at like I was an alien lol
This was in reply to @rickshaw

 

[G3CWI]

couldn't keep up with the others in my group, even on the flat

If they are club riders I would not be at all surprised. Having joined a club recently thinking I was pretty fit (5,000 km cycled last year), I can see that whilst I am fit compared to the general population, an experienced club rider is hard to keep up with.

Our club has a Thursday evening ride to a pub. Last week i went on my hybrid (they were on road bikes) and I was flagging towards the end. It didn't matter much though as they did wait and I knew the way having been before.