Cycling in and around Birmingham England

Slow Bike

Guys and Girls

I'm looking for some advice please.

You see my Giant road bike which I normally ride though I have not been on since Sept 22nd has and, this is where I'll either sound like I'm worn out myself or extremely unfit or both, seems to have developed some sort of mechanical fault which makes riding at what I would consider a normal speed much more effort than I would expect (I'm normally at around 14-16 mph on the flat I think). I have had the rear wheel trued and the front seems to be pretty true at least it not running out much when I lift the front wheel and spin it.

I decided to take ot out on Saturday for a run to check put possible route to work, I only got about 2 miles when the effort of riding it seemed just too much for me so I turned back. Downhill riding seems fine but the gravity helps so much with heavy riders such as myself. I know it was cold but it wasn't that bad was it.

I had felt the bike seemed to be hard to propel from sometime in August as I was finding it increasing tiring to ride home from Saturday morning rides with the North Birmingham CTC. Now I would have ridden about 8 or 9 miles to the meeting point then another 20 or so and another 9 or so home and mostly uphill on the way home. I had been riding regularly but instead of getting faster or easier up the hills it has become even more of a struggle. The bike has mudguards and a tool bag etc but nothing really heavy such a panniers yet.

So here is my problem. Why is it harder to ride than before? What have I missed?

I have as stated I had checked the normal things like brakes, BB, tyres run hard at over 100psi, wheels are positioned correctly, bearing seems to run smoothly.

I know some may think that perhaps I'd rested too much over the time period from 22^nd Sept to 14^th Jan but I'm a regularly doing fitness training at least 3 times a week so I'm sure I'm as fit as I was in August if not fitted.

Any help or tips gratefully received.

Phil

Perhaps I have to save up for an electric bike!!!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Philip Eddington on January 16, 2012 at 23:14

Folks

All of these respones have been super and some thing I hadn't thought of either. Thanks all.

I might just have to drag the turbo of the shed and build up a bit. I'm only allowed to use it in the garden though but that does does stop me getting too hot and it stops sweat staing the floor. Mind you the I do think all th local cats gather and piss themselves silly over the big fat human who is riding a bike with the wheel stuck in something sort of noise making machine

As to being over 40. Too right but it would be easier if was all downhill from here. My problem is my house id always at the top of the last hill. Problem of living near the baggies ground I guess. That is why I like canals they need to be flat otherise they don't work.

My training consists of runs and British Militray Fitness with some swimming mixed in.

I'm hoping to do the RAB next year but I know I need to up my game to do thst without blowing up.

Thanks again.

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Permalink Reply by James Lee on January 17, 2012 at 8:33

Muscular deterioration is usually three times the rate of muscular gain.

This means... if you take two weeks off, it will be six weeks to get back.

In the muscle industry, the 'normal gain' is 1/4 lb of muscle mass per week using a six day 3-split routine.

Strength and power is a different thing. Progression of increasing power follows a decaying hyperbolic curve. You will get as strong as you can and then stop. If you get stronger, you will break your own bones. It can be done quite quickly, within 12 months.

As for fitness, do anything to maintain your above average levels of gas-exchange pulmonary efficiency.

On vacation, a pair of running shoes on a few early mornings before SWMBO gets out of bed.

David Cooper said:

Hi

I would put it down to the rider rather than the bike.

I took a couple of weeks off in the summer and TT times both sides of two weeks lazing by the pool with beer in hand differed by over three minutes. If you have taken three months off from cycling you will have to work hard to get back to your previous level of fitness.

Good Luck

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Permalink Reply by Ken Davidson on January 18, 2012 at 9:41

Are the brakes releasing properly after use? They may check OK straight out of the stockade, but be relaxing too slowly after a couple of grabs - kinked, dirty or corroded cables?

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Permalink Reply by Philip Eddington on January 29, 2012 at 16:27

Folks thanks deeply for all the replies. I have now had the bike checked over professionally and they can find nothing wrong.

They where lind enough to suggest the fault is with me. LOL. Now a had start to feel that this might be the case.

I wonder what the effect might be to change to different sized cranks. Would shorter be better or longer. I know I might have issues with toe and front wheel overlap but I only have size 8 1/2 feet so it shouldn;t be too bad if longer is the better option. I'll have to check what is on it first though. I suspect 170mm long and I thing 175mm might be available and if so does anyone have any recommendations.

Thanks

Phil

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Permalink Reply by Andy White on January 29, 2012 at 17:27

Phil, are you in denial about what is going on?

If longer cranks made riding more efficient, don't you think everyone would be using them?

There's no silver bullet to combat the aging process, you just going to have to train harder or set your sights lower!

The truth hurts, sorry.

Andy

P.S. I haven't come to terms with this myself yet. I've hung onto my 'skinsuit' (just in case) and my superlight straight-thru block (again, just in case) :-(

Philip Eddington said:

I wonder what the effect might be to change to different sized cranks. Would shorter be better or longer. I know I might have issues with toe and front wheel overlap but I only have size 8 1/2 feet so it shouldn;t be too bad if longer is the better option. I'll have to check what is on it first though. I suspect 170mm long and I thing 175mm might be available and if so does anyone have any recommendations.

Thanks

Phil

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Permalink Reply by Philip Eddington on January 29, 2012 at 18:20

Andy

I think your right I am in denial. I am also going to have to shift the weight too. I have at between 20 to 25 kilos to lose to get to a weight that I think is sensible. Lots of running and swimming needed to get there. Perhaps then I'll get my fast bike back again

Currently doing 5 hours of BMF training mixed with running and swimming when I can. Roll on warmer weather so I can commute and get the miles in.

I'm also going to try using the turbo perhaps for an hour or so it I can;t get road or canal miles in..

Such is life a guess

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Permalink Reply by Robert on January 29, 2012 at 19:05

A bike normally weighs about 15kg. If your bike weighed 40kg, do you think pedalling it might feel like hard work? If so, would you (a) replace the cranks, or (b) replace the bike? :)

Philip Eddington said:

I think your right I am in denial. I am also going to have to shift the weight too. I have at between 20 to 25 kilos to lose to get to a weight that I think is sensible. Lots of running and swimming needed to get there.