Originally Posted by
prooftheory
The tires definitely seem like a good candidate.
I've fallen victim to this one. I have a pair of Specialized Armadillos that came with a used bike and I never knew how incredibly drastic an effect sluggish tires can have on a ride until I met those two. It was like pedaling through molasses.
After I switched out the tires it felt like I had inherited a rocket. And I use platform pedals with straps.