Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sin City, Nevada
Posts: 2,886
Bikes: Catrike 700, Greenspeed GTO trike, , Linear LWB recumbent, Haluzak Horizon SWB recumbent, Balance 450 MTB, Cannondale SM800 Beast of the East
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Have you checked to see that the bike was assembled properly?
In order to get maximum ride for the least effort, the bike needs to be properly adjusted. If you lift a wheel and spin it, does it spin freely and slowly come to a stop with the valve in the lowest position? That's a test for properly adjusted axle/bearings. Do the brake pads rub against the rim as the wheel spins? Either of these can make the bike harder to ride. One good test is to ride along side someone of similar weight with a good bike on a slight downhill and see which of you goes faster without either of you pedaling. It's a good test of the bike and its components.
BTW, the first thing that should wear out on you bike should be the rear gear cable. Shifting gears frequently to get a comfortable cadence gets to be second nature and will make the ride a lot more pleasant.