homeholly

This forum was recommended by a co-worker and I have found a lot of useful information on it. Now I am looking for some help. I've done extensive "googling" but cannot find the answer on my own. I am a heavy person and own a single speed cruiser type bicycle. Once I save the money I will be purchasing a Trek or similar bicycle. However, in the meantime I would like to make do with what I have. The problem I am having is that I do not seem to be able to ride for more than 5 minutes and my leg muscles give out. I can ride my indoor exercise bicycle for a half hour or more and so I am not sure what is happening when I am on my single speed bicycle. The area I ride in is around my aparment complex which is a flat area. There is a bike trail immediately outside my complex but I cannot even begin to go up the hills. Does anyone know why this is and what I can do?

Thank you in advance.

Holly

BookFinder 

My comments below are made assuming the single speed bike is in good working order and there is nothing in the running gear creating a problem.

The true resistance factor is entirely different on the bicycle and is impacted by numerous factors: your weight as opposed to the static inertia of the exercise bike; the wind being behind you, or in front of you, or crosswise; and then the grade and elevations of the road surface. Another subtle factor is tire inflation; I would suggest inflating them to the max psi to be sure and eliminate that as an issue.

On my typical daily ride I am on relatively flat ground in the flood plain of a river and encounter two insignificant grades out on the flats, and one short set of hills near the start/finish. The gearing on the Giant or on my old MTB makes all of them manageable.

However, yesterday my wife was off from work (CPA celebrating the end of tax season) and we decided to go for a ride around the campus of the nearby university. We both rode up a significant hill and it reminded me that resistance is a factor impacted by many variables. I successfully rode the entire hill but was all the same glad when I crested that sucker...

Stay after it. It will get better!

BTW, welcome to bikeforums.net!

10 Wheels

Can you stand to pedal?
Seat to Low?

hotbike

Pump the tires up to at least 70 psi.

Other than that, you might want to oil the chain.

RonH

Pump the tires to the recommended inflation. It is shown on the sidewall of the tires. For a cruiser bike I'm guessing it will say the recommended psi is 40-65. But whatever it says, pump the tires to the high end of the psi range shown on the tires.

You may want to read thru the Clydesdales/Athenas forum. They may have other helpful suggestions.
Good luck.

homeholly

Thank you for your helpful replies. I had not even considered something might be awry in the running gear. The first thing I am going to do is check the tire pressure and inflate if they are not already on the high end of the allowed psi. If that does not seem to solve my issue it's off to the local bike shop for them to look at the running gear. Thank you very much! I am glad my co-worker recommended this forum.

RonH

Bike tires aren't like car tires. They must be "re-inflated" or "topped off" every few weeks.

Have fun.

Cyclist0383

My Anti-Virus reports the above link as an attack site. Be warned!