New bike is too easy to pedal - something not right?

HurdyGurdy

I have just bought this bike :

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B6300.html?mv_pc=gp1&gclid=Cj0KEQjw7vmgBRDdnLPZp7aBlroBEiQA7_NmVytdq7BxCmOnoH-kUtGchP-TTwPy9Pmo8Plj1Own3KgaAu_O8P8HAQ

(sorry for the long link - I don't know how to shorten them)

I love it. It is so comfy for me to ride and I love the upright riding position.

However, even in gear 7, I am finding it very easy to pedal. I am experiencing practically no resistance and can even get up hills in no lower than 6. When I was out today, I could barely pedal because the thing was going faster than my legs! This was on a fairly level, rough pathway.

Easy riding is great, but as I have got the bike to help me get fit, I can't see it happening if I am barely using any energy to move the bike.

Could it be that there is something wrong with the set up of the bike, or if not, can it be adjusted a bit so I feel I am actually doing some work to move along.

27col

I would have thought that a bike that was easy to pedal was a distinct advantage.
I suppose that you could always adjust your brakes so that they are rubbing a bit.

HurdyGurdy

Yes, of course, it is a good thing, I suppose. But I would have expected to have to put a bit of effort in. I might as well have bought an electric bike for all the muscle power I'm using

robotrobo

HurdyGurdy wrote: »

I have just bought this bike :

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B6300.html?mv_pc=gp1&gclid=Cj0KEQjw7vmgBRDdnLPZp7aBlroBEiQA7_NmVytdq7BxCmOnoH-kUtGchP-TTwPy9Pmo8Plj1Own3KgaAu_O8P8HAQ

(sorry for the long link - I don't know how to shorten them)

I love it. It is so comfy for me to ride and I love the upright riding position.

However, even in gear 7, I am finding it very easy to pedal. I am experiencing practically no resistance and can even get up hills in no lower than 6. When I was out today, I could barely pedal because the thing was going faster than my legs! This was on a fairly level, rough pathway.

Easy riding is great, but as I have got the bike to help me get fit, I can't see it happening if I am barely using any energy to move the bike.

Could it be that there is something wrong with the set up of the bike, or if not, can it be adjusted a bit so I feel I am actually doing some work to move along.

hi
we need to know what size of front chainwheel teeth & the amount of teeth on the 7 speed block on the rear wheel & also the size of the wheels to determine the size of the gear you are pushing.
i would guess that you are on a bike that gets you to work & back & the gears are to suit the easy push to work & commute.
e

alanrowell

Have you tried it in gear 1?

When you change gear using the thumb shifter does the back of the bike make a noise and the chain move from one sprocket to the next?

Does the derailleur move when you use the thumb shifter?

brat

Front ring has 38 teeth. Rear cassette has 7 cogs from 14 teeth to 28. Wheels are 26"

If you can get uphill on 38/~16 without breaking sweat on a heavy bike such as this, you're doing well! Even at its lowest gearing of 38/28, your gearing is higher than most comfort bikes, suggesting that this is not a bike for climbing hills

38/14 on 26" wheels should allow you 21mph at a cadence of 100. 120 cadence is 25mph. I wouldn't want to be going much faster on that bike.

I think you're probably fitter than you realise!

HurdyGurdy

robotrobo wrote: »

hi
we need to know what size of front chainwheel teeth & the amount of teeth on the 7 speed block on the rear wheel & also the size of the wheels to determine the size of the gear you are pushing.
i would guess that you are on a bike that gets you to work & back & the gears are to suit the easy push to work & commute.
e

God, I am so pleased that brat answered your question, because it was double-dutch to me :rotfl:

It *is* a bike I got mainly for commuting, and some leisure/pleasure cycling. I was just really surprised how little effort it took, compared to my old (stolen :mad: bike). That had five gears on a twist thing on the handle. Maybe it's just because it's a different type of gear . . . thingy . . . that's making the difference

HurdyGurdy

alanrowell wrote: »

Have you tried it in gear 1?

When you change gear using the thumb shifter does the back of the bike make a noise and the chain move from one sprocket to the next?

Does the derailleur move when you use the thumb shifter?

Yes, the chain definitely move when I change.

I have no idea what a derailleur is

HurdyGurdy

brat wrote: »

Front ring has 38 teeth. Rear cassette has 7 cogs from 14 teeth to 28. Wheels are 26"

If you can get uphill on 38/~16 without breaking sweat on a heavy bike such as this, you're doing well! Even at its lowest gearing of 38/28, your gearing is higher than most comfort bikes, suggesting that this is not a bike for climbing hills

38/14 on 26" wheels should allow you 21mph at a cadence of 100. 120 cadence is 25mph. I wouldn't want to be going much faster on that bike.

I think you're probably fitter than you realise!

I wish!!! I am very overweight, very lazy and have no fitness whatsoever - hence getting the bike to try and change all that.

Maybe I am just comparing to the old bike, which was quite heavy and had different gears - and only five of them. Probably just a case of getting used to not needing to put as much effort in

HurdyGurdy

Oh, and while I am here and asking about "things that don't seem right with my new bike" - the front brake is very squealy.

short of oiling it (joke!!), is there anything that can be done to quieten it?

Bantex_2

Shift the chain onto the smallest cog and try going up a steepish hill.