This is all great info. I'm not really sure if changing out the tires would work ,but wondered if it could be a cost effective alternative in the mean time. I'll have to check with the LBS to see what could be done. On the note of just getting narrower 26" tires, I was told that I could only go down to about 1.75 which I thought was insignificant. Maybe going down to 1.5 inch would be the way to go if possible. I'm really trying to figure out ways to pick up a little speed on avg. I know not getting full leg extension is probably hurting more than the wide tires. At 6'3" 275lbs 10-12 mph is leisurely, 12-15 is moderate and anything faster is really pushing it, or gravity aided. LOL! Ideally I'd like 12 to 14 mph to be more of a leisurely pace. Any more suggestions?