New bike = slow, slow, slow

[teamtrinity]

I did use the small gear quite a bit on my Trek for the hills in my area and I feel as if I am missing my "middle range gear" on the Specialized (I am guessing this is the 16)?

How many mm's of space do you all keep between your wheel and the brake pad? Mine were so close initially, that I really had to look to make sure they weren't rubbing. I just loosened them to the point that I can see the space between the two, but the brakes still do their job.

Would you all wait a few weeks and get a fit before you switched out the cassette?

Absolutely...get the fit done first. Then ride the snot out of the bike for 2-3 weeks. If it still feels slow...then think about changing gears.

As far as the Specialized feeling like it's missing a middle range gear...it's possible. I'm just guessing on the exact configuration of your cassettes. The smallest gear in the cassette probably wouldn't be used for climbing though. Your climbing gear would be the small chainring up front, with the largest cog on the cassette in the back.

As far as the brakes...mine are set pretty close. I never measure...I just guesstimate. Close...but not close enough where they rub on the road.

[Ritamarie]

Aluminum has a much stiffer feel than carbon, in my experience. Some carbon bikes feel sluggish to me. I have a carbon bike now and love it, but in trying bikes during my search there were some very expensive carbon bikes that felt too soft for me and my riding style.