Originally Posted by drumbum
, it feels like the Giant has "more resistance", in that I have to push slightly harder. It feels like my Blur has way too many easy gears (granny gears).
When comparing the small chainring of the Giant to the Blur, the Giant just feels better. I've counted the number of teeth and it's the same.
What can I do to my Blur to make it feel "better"?
Thanks!
I can make two guesses why you have that sensation if the gearing is in fact the same. The Blur, being a big $'s bike, may have lighter wheels, or at least less weight at the rime such as lighter rims and lighter tires. That will allow the bike to accelerate much more quickly making it feel like you are in a lower gear.
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I had a similiar feeling when I moved up to my Stumpjumper SLR from my old hard tail which had clunky wheels. I was faster, got to speed quicker and I was pedalling in higher gears. I had the affect again when I upgraded the Stunpjumper's wheels to Cane creek Zonos. I gained more speed and better cornering. My lap times went down once again.
Another, but less likely possibility is the switch from a hardtail to full susppension. You just feel slower initally on the FS because of the plush ride so you work harder to get the same feeling of speed as on the hardtail. I had a reverse affect when I blew the air seals in my rear shock and locked it out so I could finish the ride. The Stumpjumper felt sportier and faster as a hardtail, but it really wasn't. I was just feeling the trail more.
The feeling might go away when you get used to it. I'd just use my big chain ring more. That's what I do. I didn't want to touch the lower gears as i need them when I ride in the Georgia mountains.
Al