Resistance

[Doyleyburger]

Hi guys,
I need some advice. As a newbie road cyclist I decided to take advantage of Halfords offer on the Carrera TDF a few weeks back. The bike is great although I did have a few issues with halfords on how the bike was actually built.......disgusted to be honest.
Anyway having been on the road for a few weeks now I have come across a slight issue that seems to be bothering me a bit.....
When I am on a flat or a good descent, I seem to run out of resistance when I'm peddling, even though iv got lots more energy to give. My legs are peddling ten to the dozen like a maniac when my friends seem to be peddling less hard/fast, with more resistance. Any advice would be most helpful, but I'm worried that any changes may affect my ability to climb.

 

[themosquitoking]

Change into a higher gear, if you're already in the highest the problem becomes more expensive.

 

[Doyleyburger]

Sorry should've mentioned that.....
I am in the highest possible gear.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

I'd find it very hard to believe a newbie could spin out like that. Change gear, your bike has many

 

[Dusty Bin]

Assuming you are already on the 11/12t at the rear, are you on the big ring at the front?

 

[Doyleyburger]

Yes biggest at the front and smallest at the back. It's almost as if I need a extra couple of gears. I only have 16 gears as it is, maybe that's the problem

 

[Venod]

Isn't 10 to the dozen slow ? 20 to the dozen fast ?

 

[Doyleyburger]

Could be 20 lol

 

[cyberknight]

the carrera comes with a 52/38 and a 12-26 cassette i think ?

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-carrera-tdf-ltd-road-bike-11-44902
At 90 rpm which is reckoned to be an average for a good cadence thats 30.5 mph , if you can do that on the flat for any length of time you need to get a pro contract !
I use a compact chain set with a 50/34 and a 12-25 and i only go into top gear once i am close to 30 mph anyway , drafting cars down a long slight decline i was in 50x 13 and comfortably doing 30 , speed cameras keep them from going any faster .
Upshot is you should not be spinning out on the flat and downhill you should be hitting at least 35 .

 

[Doyleyburger]

Thank you very much for your advice. I don't think I'm anywhere near getting a pro contact.
Iv hit 47mph downhill (according to strava)
Most of my friends can hit 50+ going down this hill and it looks like they're not peddling flat out, where as I look like an idiot trying to keep up. I can take them on flats pretty easy but just wondering why the bike won't perform as well on this decent

 

[themosquitoking]

What size chainrings do you have?

 

[cyberknight]

Thank you very much for your advice. I don't think I'm anywhere near getting a pro contact.
Iv hit 47mph downhill (according to strava)
Most of my friends can hit 50+ going down this hill and it looks like they're not peddling flat out, where as I look like an idiot trying to keep up. I can take them on flats pretty easy but just wondering why the bike won't perform as well on this decent

Are they heavier than you ?
On club runs i tend to be near the front uphill but downhill i get overtaken by those whos total "inertia" is greater

What size chainrings do you have?

52/38 according to bike radar.

 

[Doyleyburger]

Some of them are heavier but I often cycle with my mate who is actually lighter than me and he manages to get about 4-5 mph faster than me down hill. Was mentioned to me that possibly a bigger front chainring would benefit me????

 

[themosquitoking]

If yours is a 52 you could go for a 54. Not sure how much extra speed that would give you though at 90rpm. Other than that put on weight or get some lead filled bidons.

 

[cyberknight]

Assuming your actually spinning out you cant really get a bigger chainring without a change of bottom bracket etc , you might be able to change your rear cassette to an 11 tooth which would help a little.
After a fiddle with a gear calculator.
52x11 =44.4 at 120 rpm (mph )
53x11= 45.2 at 120 rpm
Your mates just got more practise or a hidden motor
Have you looked at your bike set up for a more aero but comfortable set up ?