Strange Pedal Resistance, Advice Welcome!

[ajclarkson]

Hi Everyone,

I've been out cycling quite a bit in January and even braved a couple of pretty windy days in the process. A few rides ago I turned into what seemed like a mild headwind and battled until my legs almost gave out after 10 miles. There were some slight inclines, but certainly nothing over 4% yet my energy was gone within a matter of minutes. I put it down to the wind and the fact I'd probably overdone it a bit on the first 11 miles with a tailwind.

Then I headed out on another familiar route a couple of days later, and in the first 5 miles slight inclines were exhausting my legs. The pedals were just so difficult to turn, even in very low gears on a very shallow incline my legs were aching, and it wasn't a usual hill climbing ache either. The only way I can describe it is like I was trying to turn the cranks through treacle.

I decided to give it a few days off to rule out fatigue or anything, but as it happened so early into my previous ride I was sure it wasn't that. Also nothing has changed in my routine, same breakfast, time of day, similar weather etc. I've since checked the hubs on the wheels were running freely, cleaned all of the groupset, cassette, chain, relubed the chain, checked the brakes weren't rubbing on the wheels. I just set out again this morning, and did a very familiar circle around the local area, exact same problem. Even from the off pedalling on almost flat ground the treacle like resistance was back in the pedals. I changed down to my lowest gear and while they obviously span quite easily then, it wasn't as easy as it should be.

I'm racking my brains now, and wondering could this be a bottom bracket problem? Any hints or tips are very much appreciated. I know a lot of the advice will probably be to take a trip to the LBS, just thought I'd ask to see if its anything I can fix myself .

Cheers

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

If you unship the chain from the chain rings do the cranks spin freely? Also do the pedals themselves turn freely? Are there any noises when pedalling?

You describe aching legs - could the saddle have slipped a bit so it's now too low?

You seem to have checked pretty much everything else so I'm not sure what else to suggest.

 

[ajclarkson]

Thanks for the tips Phil,

It had never even dawned on me to check the saddle height related to this, but just did and its still the right height. I did notice a squeak coming from somewhere along the drivetrain before the cleaning / relubing, but that seems to have gone away now. The pedals turn freely, and are only 1 1/2 months old, and I just tried the cranks without the chain and they seem to spin absolutely fine as well.

Really not sure what is causing this at all! In my mind I'm now thinking "it's your legs" but I've done 130 miles prior to these problems this month without an issue. So unless my legs just decided to abandon me I can't see how it could be!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Mad question time... have you checked your tyre pressures recently?

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Ah, I'm not much the wiser in that case. It could just be down to the weather going colder since the weekend. It's harder to keep up your average speed in the wind and cold and personally I can lose a couple of mph off my usual average speeds at this time of year just from that.

Sorry if it sounds like I'm teaching you to suck eggs, but how have you judged the saddle height?

 

[Simmer]

Could it be the drop in temperature and you need another layer to keep your core warm ?

 

[DWiggy]

Are you fuelling up properly? lots of pineapple or a big bowl portage are rocket fuel might be what you need if its not mechanical

 

[ajclarkson]

Thanks for all of your input, much appreciated

Mad question time... have you checked your tyre pressures recently?

No mad questions when it comes to things like this, but yep, checked them this morning!

Ah, I'm not much the wiser in that case. It could just be down to the weather going colder since the weekend. It's harder to keep up your average speed in the wind and cold and personally I can lose a couple of mph off my usual average speeds at this time of year just from that.

Sorry if it sounds like I'm teaching you to suck eggs, but how have you judged the saddle height?

I've been doing the saddle height by the old, heel on the pedal method. Its seemed fine for general riding.

Could it be the drop in temperature and you need another layer to keep your core warm ?

I hadn't really thought about that, I guess it could be contributing, would that cause issues as quickly as I'm seeing though? It was within a couple of miles this morning?

 

[ajclarkson]

Are you fuelling up properly? lots of pineapple or a big bowl portage are rocket fuel might be what you need if its not mechanical

Big bowl of porridge on a morning, 90 - 120 minutes before riding, same as has got me through plenty of other rides this month.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I've been doing the saddle height by the old, heel on the pedal method. Its seemed fine for general riding.

That's fine - just checking.

I hadn't really thought about that, I guess it could be contributing, would that cause issues as quickly as I'm seeing though? It was within a couple of miles this morning?

IMO, yes it could make a difference. Wrapping up warmer is worth a try if nothing else.

 

[ajclarkson]

It's certainly worth a try, I have to admit I've been a bit tight and trying to get by, so it's been bib shorts and leg warmers this month so far, but now that the temperatures are really dropping, could be the time to see if some over tights make a difference

 

[raleighnut]

Could be that you're tensing up by trying too hard, try a lower gear faster cadence approach. That will help circulation as well easing lactic acid removal from muscles.
As for over tights have a look at Altura winter cruisers but also make sure to keep your hands and feet warm as any chill will start your body going into survive mode reducing circulation to extremities in order to retain c

 

[Kbrook]

I think its just the time of year, my cycling is rubbish at the moment so much so that I have just taken the mountain bike out this morning, its less depressing when you come back and your average was 13.5 mph as mine was this morning. It really is very hard getting out and about, I don't enjoy it the same of the road bike, why don't you take the pressure off and just go for a spin on the mountain bike or hybrid if you have one, bet you enjoy it more.

 

[screenman]

Over doing it a bit maybe, not knowing what your cycling history is it is hard to know.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Could be that you're tensing up by trying too hard, try a lower gear faster cadence approach. That will help circulation as well easing lactic acid removal from muscles.
As for over tights have a look at Altura winter cruisers but also make sure to keep your hands and feet warm as any chill will start your body going into survive mode reducing circulation to extremities in order to retain c

Now that's something I can relate to. I've been trying (with limited success) to increase my cadence for years now, but it's still lower than for most cyclists. Lactate and I are old friends, in fact I think I'm addicted to lactate!
It's been years since my legs didn't ache continually. Some habits die hard.