HELP! DYING on my road bike

**leah** · 05-02-2012, 07:19 AM

Ladies - HELP!!

I am 100% willing to concede that it is related to my fitness level, and I could sure stand to lose 10-15 lbs (I am 5'4" and 144 lbs), but I am finding that riding my lovely new road bike is exponentially harder than my hybrid. I am so confused as that thing weighs at least twice as much.

The route I normally take on my hybrid took me at least 20 minutes longer on the road bike and my thighs were on fire the whole time, even going downhill!! I felt like I was working but never felt this exhausted riding the hybrid.

I was wearing my heart rate monitor and my heart rate was also way way up there, so it's not just perceived exertion. And I was using the easiest gears the whole time - the small ring in the front and lowest in the back!!!

Do you think it has to do with being clipped in? Am I using new muscles or something? I was using platform pedals with my hybrid. But I have done a lot of indoor spin classes, so I was clipped in there. I admit I am not in the most stellar shape, but I have been riding pretty much every day for the last 5 months, averaging about 100 miles a week. I never imagined I'd be this slow and fatigued on such a light and racy bike!

I am not complaining because I love the bike and am super happy with my decision, just kind of baffled by the whole thing! Any insights you ladies have would be really appreciated. If you say it is just my fitness level, and to keep riding, I get that - I guess maybe I thought I was in better shape than I am?!

**leah** · 05-02-2012, 07:44 AM

Thanks! I did get it from a local shop. I wrote to the woman who sold me the bike and we will see what she says.

According to my bike computer, I averaged about 12 miles an hour, but was much slower on the uphill (it is a very slight grade)- more like 9-10 mph. The fastest I ever got up to was 13 mph and that was on the downhill.

When I tried to shift up to a higher (more difficult) gear, I found it too tough to pedal at all for more than a few pedal strokes.

I thought I did understand shifting but I guess I don't?! The bike is a compact... so when you say middle gear are you referring to a triple?

**indysteel** · 05-02-2012, 07:47 AM

This a longshot, but make sure neither of your brakes are rubbing. I had a rear break that never wanted to stay centered and would rub against my tire. I thought I was just woefully out of shape.

**redrhodie** · 05-02-2012, 07:49 AM

Check to see if your brakes are rubbing. Give your wheels a spin to see. I learned this the hard way.

**redrhodie** · 05-02-2012, 07:50 AM

Jinx, Indy!

**leah** · 05-02-2012, 07:53 AM

Hmm, I just tried it and the front wheel does not turn easily at all. But for the life of me I can't see where the brake might be rubbing? I might have to take it into my LBS.

**Penny4** · 05-02-2012, 08:43 AM

Check the tire pressure too!

**Blueberry** · 05-02-2012, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by leah

Hmm, I just tried it and the front wheel does not turn easily at all. But for the life of me I can't see where the brake might be rubbing? I might have to take it into my LBS.

Definitely take it to the LBS and have them take a look and show you! Could be off center in how it was put in, etc. But that's something you want to know how to adjust.

**Maye** · 05-02-2012, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Muirenn

If you were using the smallest rings the entire time, that could explain it. When I 'spin' I keep the rotations per minute at 70-90. But I'm used to it. Hard to say how fast you were going, but the lowest gears going downhill would be next to impossible for me.

Try putting the chain in the middle of the rear cassette to start. And did you get the bike from a local shop? Go back, have them put you on the trainer, and learn to shift. They shouldn't let you out of the shop with a Madone without first making sure you are proficient at shifting. You can damage the drivetrain if you don't do it right, or drop the chain in a bad place in traffic.

Sheldon Brown is always good to read.

And try this video.

You should only shift with the left hand (up front) if the chain in the rear is near the middle setting. This way you avoid cross-chaining.

Muirenn,
Great sources of information. Thanks!

**leah** · 05-02-2012, 11:04 AM

Oh ladies. I feel like such a total idiot. For 2 days straight I was riding with a misaligned front wheel. No wonder it was complete and utter torture.

I really couldn't hear anything rubbing or that sounded off - it was just all of a sudden exponentially more difficult to ride! With my hybrid that happened once and there was a weird sound so I immediately knew that something was up.

I should trust that if anything feels that horribly off, it is probably not me - it's the bike! Instead I was thinking I was suddenly way out of shape

(Not that there isn't room for improvement!)

I seriously need to get with my bike mechanics knowledge.

**indysteel** · 05-02-2012, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by leah

Oh ladies. I feel like such a total idiot. For 2 days straight I was riding with a misaligned front wheel. No wonder it was complete and utter torture.

I really couldn't hear anything rubbing or that sounded off - it was just all of a sudden exponentially more difficult to ride! With my hybrid that happened once and there was a weird sound so I immediately knew that something was up.

I should trust that if anything feels that horribly off, it is probably not me - it's the bike! Instead I was thinking I was suddenly way out of shape

(Not that there isn't room for improvement!)

I seriously need to get with my bike mechanics knowledge.

Most of us have been there in some capacity or another--even with bike mechanics knowledge. My husband maintains a fleet of 12 bikes in our house, but that doesn't mean he and I haven't had "duh" moments.

**ny biker** · 05-02-2012, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by leah

Oh ladies. I feel like such a total idiot. For 2 days straight I was riding with a misaligned front wheel. No wonder it was complete and utter torture.

I really couldn't hear anything rubbing or that sounded off - it was just all of a sudden exponentially more difficult to ride! With my hybrid that happened once and there was a weird sound so I immediately knew that something was up.

I should trust that if anything feels that horribly off, it is probably not me - it's the bike! Instead I was thinking I was suddenly way out of shape

(Not that there isn't room for improvement!)

I seriously need to get with my bike mechanics knowledge.

Lance Armstrong once rode an entire stage of the Tour de France with his brake rubbing on his wheel. So, you're in good company.

Before every ride I spin the front wheel, check to make sure nothing is rubbing on it, then test the brake. Then repeat with the rear wheel.

**leah** · 05-03-2012, 05:58 PM

ny biker - Haha!!! That is great. Makes me feel much better.

Today I took her out for a spin after fixing the wheel issue and my average speed was 17 mph. So I am feeling much better about everything.

I will definitely make sure to check the bike for issues before taking her out in the future. Ah, the learning curve!

**Chicken Little** · 05-03-2012, 07:11 PM

Great, my wheel doesn't rub and I always feel like that.

**TigerMom** · 05-03-2012, 08:53 PM

Team Estrogen is so amazing to figure out a bike problem so quickly via the internet!

The irony is that Leah thought she was slow and out of shape, but she is actually biking at 17mph now! Great job! It's been 5months of biking and I'm still not there yet.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

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