Newbie...one burning question

[evilbob333]

Hello all,

Due to the fact that me and a few friends have agreed to do the LE2JOG trip this summer we all rushed out and bought new bikes. Being total rank amateurs some of us bought crap and others (myself included) consulted those in the know and ended up with some thing decent...I got a 2009 Gant FCR 1, and i'm well chuffed with it. Anyway, one of those who rushed out and bought crap (£200 road bike from amazon i think) is getting totally frustrated when we're out riding together...he's stood up in his pedals slogging his guts out up a hill when i'm in my seat taking it nice and easy. He's going mad with his bikes, swearing and bitching all the way up the hill and i'm taking in the view! My question is...whats the difference between my gear set and his that makes it so, so, so very much easier for me to pedal up the same hills? To look at our gear sets look similar, but obviously something is making a huge difference...is it worth hanging on and just investing in new gears? Or should he cut his losses and upgrade?

Cheers

 

[iLB]

could just be your alot fitter than him??

 

[evilbob333]

Ha!!! I wish...no, unfortunately quite the opposite is true...which makes me appreciate the difference a decent bike can make...

 

[RedBike]

The gear set doesn't really matter.

The weight / the efficiency of the bike does make a big difference. However, the major difference between what makes one bike fly up a hill and another crawl is the rider.

Swap bikes for a bit. If he leaves you for dust then it's his bike.

The biggest improvement he can make to his existing bike will be to change the wheels / tyres.

 

[jayce]

Yes some tyres roll better than others ,as said weight is a biggie ,check the bikes for weight a few pounds is a lot

 

[evilbob333]

Yeah we tried that, and his bike is definitely worse...could probably be the weight of it then...the tyres are pretty much the same though.

 

[jayce]

What bike has he bought

 

[evilbob333]

Its a ventura equipe... just had a look at their webpage and its deffo a cheapish bike...i cant find any detailed specs on it anywhere!

 

[marinyork]

I'd have thought that if your bike was a lot faster instead of whizzing away on the hills you'd notice you whizzing away on the dead flat or downhills? Much more noticeable than on uphill sections. If you're zooming up hills and they are equal speed to you on the flat it sounds to me like you're just a better climber.

 

[HJ]

Classic, this is why I always tell people to ride the bike before they buy. From what you have told us it sound like he is trying to climb in too high a gear. The secret to hill climbing is to choose a low gear and spin (your legs should be doing 80 rpm or more).

At the end of the day I would suggest that he cut his losses and get another bike, if he is on a tight budget look for a second hand touring or audax bike. Find out if there is a cycle recycling scheme need where you live, these are really good sources of cheap bikes and make sure he test rides it before he parts with any money.

 

[Randochap]

It's not possible to answer the question; there are too many variables.

IMO, neither of the bikes mentioned are ideal for the purpose stated.

 

[Sittingduck]

IMO, neither of the bikes mentioned are ideal for the purpose stated.

What's wrong with doing this trip on the Giant then? Not looking for an argument, just interested in why you think this is all

 

[evilbob333]

In reply to all of the above...mine is faster on downhills and on the flats (he has to put in a load more effort to keep up), and he is pedalling in his lowest gear going up the hills, and still having to work like a cart horse! I think that if it isn't down to his gears then it must be the weight of his bike.
Randochap - Why is a Giant not suitable for this kind of trip? I absolutely love it...granted it is my first 'proper' bike (discounting all the cheap mountain bikes i've had in the past) but all the same its an absolute pleasure to ride.

 

[marinyork]

If it is much faster on the flats and downhill I'd agree with some of it is probably the bicycle.

Don't listen to randochap, he's a bit of an elite and dislikes newbies or slow people . If you like the bike then that's cool.

 

[Speicher]

Classic, this is why I always tell people to ride the bike before they buy. From what you have told us it sound like he is trying to climb in too high a gear. The secret to hill climbing is to choose a low gear and spin (your legs should be doing 80 rpm or more).

At the end of the day I would suggest that he cut his losses and get another bike, if he is on a tight budget look for a second hand touring or audax bike. Find out if there is a cycle recycling scheme need where you live, these are really good sources of cheap bikes and make sure he test rides it before he parts with any money.

An excellent link, Hairy, but I think you will get more sensible results, if you add in the county you are in, or the next door ones. Sorry if I am pointing out the obvious.