Mountain Biking - sluggish feeling ride - troubleshooting

Hello Everyone -

I have been really struggling the last few weeks trying to figure out what could be wrong with my bike or potentially with me! Let me explain what is happening: I got a 2004 rockhopper comp from my local bike shop about 5 months ago, got a really good deal on it. Everything is stock except for the brakes which have been upgraded to avid disks...really love em. I feel that since I have had the bike it has felt sluggish, I don't necessarily notice it all the time, but there are definetely times where it almost feels like I am riding with the brakes partially applied. I want to get to the bottom of what it could be. My initial thoughts:

1. Hubs in front or rear wheel not working properly
2. Bottom bracket not working properly
3. Wheels slipping, or binding in the fork or rear dropout (i.e. wheels not in straight)
4. bent frame?

I am really dissapointed because I had such high hopes for this bike, and considering the level of bike that it is supposed to be I feel pretty let down.

Hopefully some technically experienced riders can help me with troubleshooting.

now - going to put on a new stem and handlebar set while I wait for answers. :)

Here is the link to what I got - WHAT A DEAL! http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.aspx?i=GP605A00

s.

now - going to put on a new stem and handlebar set while I wait for answers. :)



Experimenting with bar widths would also be my first suggestion; as well as making sure all of the other adjustments (seat height, stem length, crank length, brakes, wheel QR tension, etc) are set right for you. Does everything spin freely? If so, bars and stem can make a big diff in feeling quick vs sluggish.

1. Hubs in front or rear wheel not working properly

Pick up front of bike, and spin the wheel. If it spins smoothly, it's fine. If it doesn't it's either your brakes rubbing or your hubs. The age of your bike would almost rule out the hubs unless the cones were tightened too much.


2. Bottom bracket not working properly

Spin your cranks backwards. Should spin relatively easy.

Grab one of your cranks and push/pull in a perpendicular direction to the rotation of the cranks. If there is a lot of wiggle your bb could be shot. Again, age of the bike would steer me AWAY from this.


3. Wheels slipping, or binding in the fork or rear dropout (i.e. wheels not in straight)

Undo the quick releases and pick up the front or the back wheel an inch and then drop it. I wiggle the wheel a bit. Then flip the quick releases tight again. Pick up bike and spin the wheel again!


4. bent frame?


Doubtful, this wouldn't make the bike sluggish, but would make the handling feel wierd.


How often do you check your tire pressure. If I leave mine in a hot garage, the tire pressure will drop 10 psi overnight. Especially in my road bike (higher psi) tires.

Fill them to 45psi and then go down from there! Too much pressure will cause problems as well as you will bounce off rocks/roots instead of riding over them. Plus your handling will suffer.

What about your pedals. They should spin rather easily.

Chain lube? Do you cross chain? (big chainring/biggest cog or granny gear/smallest cog) This puts a lot of stress on the chain.

Of all things I'd check for brake rub first, then tire presssure.

I just re-checked the quick release on the rear, and after doing the dropping thing, it spun like the wind...I think that was a big part of it. I am as we speak putting on flat bars and a 120 mm stem which should stretch me out over the bike more, which is definetly my prefered method of riding. I have long arms so I can still get my crack over the back wheel for descents. Thanks for all the replys, I will update on the way everything feels once I get the new handlebar and stem on and give it a ride. I might post a photo too.

s.