Bike Feels Sluggish...

[Bigcam59]

I just finished up this 700c cruiser built up from a Genesis Onyx from Wally World.

It rides fine except for one problem...It feels sluggish, almost as if the tires have too little air. I've gone over the bike, repacked the bearings and mechanically it seems sound. I was just wondering if it's possible the tires could be holding it back, or if it was just designed to feel this way. Is it possible I'm just too used to riding my stretch bikes?

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Try holding one wheel at a time off the ground and spin it, Maybe the bearing cones are too tight? If not you might consider changing the gearing. The tires do have some effect on this but shouldn't be that bad.

 

[inshane64]

Some of the newer bikes also have smaller sprockets, this might be a reason for a suggish feel.

 

[clamdigger]

I think it is the tires. Seriously over inflate them for a short test ride. Lots of good 29er tire reviews over at mtbr.com

 

[Bigcam59]

The cones are free and I already added a couple of teeth to the back wheel sprocket because I thought it was geared too high. Guess I'll try tires next...

 

[c.p.odom]

It is the handlebars (not kidding). The bike is ergonomically unbalanced. Try some wide flat bars and it will feel like a different bike.

 

[jackdaw]

It is the handlebars (not kidding). The bike is ergonomically unbalanced. Try some wide flat bars and it will feel like a different bike.

I think so...with your weight forward, and stretched out, its hard to get alot of force behind the pedal. I guess. I got a 29er roadish mountain bike with Vittoria Randoneur tires and riser bars and it went ok. Not alot of snap even so. I've read that about 29er's that they are sensitive to heavier wheels. Sweet bike though, I've looked at those in Wal-Mart and thought about it. You posted those cool truss rods in the How-to section didn't you? Good luck.

 

[laguna454]

-Maybe another gear change. You cannot gear it the same as a 26" tire, it must be lower to have the same cadence. Look up gear inches.
-Those wheels and tires are probably heavy and the tire tread is flat and thick. Cheap in the bicycle world translates to heavy.
-Also, as mentioned, the ape bars are positioning your weight disproportionately to the back wheel.
-Raise the seat to get almost full leg extension on the down stroke.
-Make sure the coaster brake is not dragging. (obvious)

I recently purchased a 29" nine speed mountain bike with a very light wheel set and 2.1 knobby tires and it is really quick and climbs well.

 

[big AL]

It is the handlebars (not kidding). The bike is ergonomically unbalanced. Try some wide flat bars and it will feel like a different bike.

Bike fit can be a find line. Too high or too low. Too gramped or too stretched out. I once put some cool tall apes on a bike and lost all my leverage.

 

[rydr1]

the chain isn't too tight, is it?

 

[cruisehard]

The lighter the wheels, the easier it is to pedal. i.e. alloy hubs/rims. Street slick tires is also key.

 

[Bigcam59]

The chain is fine, and all the bearings are greased and spin free. I added a longer seatpost when I bought it just in case, so it fits me. I'll try it with skinny street bike tires and lower bars and see if that changes anything...

 

[c.p.odom]

Cruisers are a touchy subject. By their very name it is a case of "Form Before Function". The more extreme the "Form" the worse the "Function". There is no getting around this, Newton's laws of motion will not be denied. It just depends on what your design parameters are, all things are good if it gets you out riding.

 

[krautwaggen]

What kind of tires are on the bike stock? (Manufacturer and model)

If you ditch them, I'd be interested in them!

 

[Bigcam59]

well I tried it with 700x40 hybrid tires and it made a world of difference! It does look a bit goofy with the skinny tires inside the huge fenders but it flies now!I didn't think the tires could make that much difference, but boy was I wrong! I'm ordering up a set of slicks for it...Serfas Drifters 29x2 . That should do the job. 8)

 

[c.p.odom]

Glad you got that worked out. Now go rack up some mileage.

 

[Skipton]

Not sure if a 2.35 width would fit in the fender.

But the Schwalbe big apples would look SWEET! :wink:
http://www.amazon.com/Schwalbe-Bicycle- ... B00277K9SM

 

[user 135]

Not sure if a 2.35 width would fit in the fender.

But the Schwalbe big apples would look SWEET! :wink:
http://www.amazon.com/Schwalbe-Bicycle- ... B00277K9SM

They should fit under the fenders. I run the 26" version and they fly . The profile is very round so you generally ride on the center (about 1").
Fat Franks also come in that size. http://www.schwalbetires.com/node/1330

 

[Skipton]

Not sure if a 2.35 width would fit in the fender.

But the Schwalbe big apples would look SWEET! :wink:
http://www.amazon.com/Schwalbe-Bicycle- ... B00277K9SM

They should fit under the fenders. I run the 26" version and they fly . The profile is very round so you generally ride on the center (about 1").
Fat Franks also come in that size. http://www.schwalbetires.com/node/1330

I have a set of Fat Franks on one of my Monarks and they are by far the fastest and coolest looking tires I have :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[MplsCoaster]

Hey BigCam
Glad to here you found out the sluggishness problem
I'm kinda a tire junkie so i'm going to throw soemthing else in the mix...

Had Serfas drifter tires and though they are very puncture restiant, they are really heavy (29x2.0 =850 grams)
They didn't seem to roll real well and ended up giving them away
Looked up some Schwalbe marathon duremes and they are 550 grams but ~$80

Here are 2 other tires you could consider (RRB build off 6 bike tires)
Continental contacts (700x28 front) are bullet proof, roll great, and not too heavy (700x37 at 660g ~$37 at REI)
http://www.rei.com/product/731367/conti ... t-700-tire
In the back, I used Nomad resist tires (700 x 40 at 550g ~$28) they roll pretty good but not quite as good as the Conti
http://resistparts.com/parts/tires-nomad/

Just my $.02
Good Luck