Recreational & Family - Did I make a mistake?

Hi - I am very sad. I put a lot of thought into what bike I should buy but am worried I made a mistake. I just bought a Raleigh Venture 3.0 yesterday. I did a lot of research on-line and spent a lot of time trying to make the right decision. I wanted a bike for both bike paths and off road trails so popular here in Northern Colorado. I also needed it to be upright as leaning forward hurts my back. So that kind of narrowed it down. I finally got it down to Trek Navigator 2.0 and Raleigh Venture 3.0. I loved the test ride on the Trek but the tires on it had a big smooth patch down the middle with just a bit of aggressive on the sides. The Raleigh had the same basic frame, the same size 26" tires but had Shimano components instead of Sram and was less expensive. The test ride on the Raleigh was fine, very nice. I bought it home yesterday from the local bike shop and took it for a ride around the neighborhood and a bike path near us. I was so disappointed when it didn't ride as easy as the test drive. I had to really work and it seemed slow and heavy. I tried shifting but it didn't improve much. I was barely able to get along on the bike path at all. The path is slightly up hill but nothing steep or bad, just an incline. If I can't do that I know I'm in trouble. I have been trying to figure out why the test drive at the shop was good and why now it is a struggle. The only thing different was we had them change out the basic tire tubes to the thicker thorne proof ones and add some True Goo. Could this make any difference? I feel so bad spending a total of $368 and now not having a bike I really can enjoy. My old Schwinn that I am replacing actually rides easier. I want to get some exercise, yes, but I also want it to be fun to ride too. What can I do? I know the shop won't give me a refund. And I don't think they have another bike I want there anyway. Does anyone know what the problem could be or what I can do? Any advise will be appreciated. I am so heartsick over this. It's a lot of money and I tried so hard to be careful. I just can't believe the bike is so much harder to ride than I anticipated.

Actually the gearing is about the same for the Trek Nav 2.0 and your Raleigh Venture 3.0. Might want to take the bike in and ask them to check/adjust the fork adjustment/preload and show you how to lock it out. Most recreational riders like or adjust their forks on the stiff side or even lock it out and that should help you enjoy your bike more and get up that incline. Shouldn't cost you anything for the adjustment and take a test ride afterwards before you leave the shop. Also have them check for proper fit. A simple thing as seat and handlebar height can make a major difference.

I tried shifting but it didn't improve much. I was barely able to get along on the bike path at all. That makes no sense at all, unless your tires are nearly flat.

What is the composition of the bike pat ? If it is gravel that can make a big difference in your rolling resistance.

I had to really work and it seemed slow and heavy. I tried shifting but it didn't improve much. I was barely able to get along on the bike path at all. The path is slightly up hill but nothing steep or bad, just an incline. If I can't do that I know I'm in trouble. I have been trying to figure out why the test drive at the shop was good and why now it is a struggle. The only thing different was we had them change ~ and add some True Goo. Could this make any difference? Yes, my son did this with a Giant bike he bought for his wife. She complained for a week plus, that it was not the same bike she had test rode at the the store.

They changed the tubes, (w/o the green goo, or what ever) and she has been happy ever since.

Looked at your bike and geometry, it is almost identical to the Specialized Crossroads Sport (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=32298) my wife has, but has 700x38c tires, and rides great, even on moderate climbs, she does not flinch.

Check to see if LBS can remove the goo and if another model with 700 size tires are available. May change your experience.

yes thanks bab2000 I did get another bike with 700 tires and yes it's much better. No goo or thicker tires this time either! Glad you understood what I was saying. The bike shop even admitted the thicker tires and goo added weight and we weighted it and it was 4 lbs heavier than the new one I selected the Raleigh DeTour 4.5 with the bigger, narrower tires. Anyway I'm happy with it though sometime I may test out an electra townie 21 just to see why it received such wonderful recommendations. But I figure I'm set for the next 6 years with this one. My husband doesn't even want me thinking about other bikes anymore! He makes decisions quickly. I took so much time trying to research every bike on-line and yes the Specialized Crossroads was one I was going to test. The LBS did not have one in the WSD assembled yet and asked me to come back in a few days but I never made it back. After I tried the DeTour I was very pleased with it. Anyway thanks for your reply!