Roubaix hasrd to pedal
 

I have a 2011 Roubaix SL3 Expert (double—approx 19lbs) that seems harder to pedal than my 2005 Aluminum Allez sport (triple—approx 22lbs).
The Allez in big chain ring (52T) / 5th gear (15T) is easier and faster than the Roubaix 50T / 5th (17T) to get up to 15-18mph.
I bought the Roubaix used with only 50 miles on it (according to the seller) and I have no reason to doubt there were more than 100 miles on it. The bike is brand new.

However, my question is: would the bearing grease in the crank stiffen up all that much from sitting in a garage for 2 years?
Do I need to pull the crank and re-grease it? Nasty job.

I did a quick test by lifting the rear wheel and reverse spinning the pedals. The Allez spun around 2 turns, the Roubaix only one. Dunno if this is an accurate test in that the Roubaix is a whole lot newer.


Gravity is a conspiracy perpetrated by the makers of time, space, and traffic lights.

Two issues are presented in your post.

First is the gearing/wheel speed one. Two rather different gear ratios will have differing ease to spin up to the same wheel speed.

Second is the comparative friction in the bikes. There's every reason under the sun for two bikes to have different efficiencies in their drive trains. Wheel bearing condition, seal drag, QR skewer preloading, der pulley friction, chain condition, chain line in the two cog combos stated are the first aspects that I think of.

You could have each bike detail tuned by the same wrench then re compared. Don't know what you'd find out. Or you could just maintain them and ride happily. Andy.