Is it all in my head ?
10-12-20, 12:24 AM
#1
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Is it all in my head ?
The bottom bike has been my daily rider for about 2 years and just this year I gave it a freshen up in the form of a repaint until I get my new steed (still havent figured that out yet ?) anyhow in the meantime this bike popped up locally so I bought it. Other than spending 2 days soaking the seat post in wd40 and Coca cola I manged to get it free and have been riding it on alternative days. This is the part I am not understanding? somehow it feels much harder to do my normal flat 21k loop, the gearing isn't that much different to my steel bike(or is this the part I am missing completely I am not great with numbers) I figured this bike would be faster as its carbon, but I am not doing my route any quicker slower if anything. I haven't got anything to judge the weight but it feels lighter, both are running 23mm tyres the bars on the steel bike are 40cm while the carbon bikes bars are 44cm width, seat height set up so its the same but the carbon bike reach is about 20mm ish further forward(could get shorter stem) Would the 1 extra tooth on the big chain ring be enough to make the ride feel harder, or the reach being that bit further ? I can pedal in the highest gear on the Steel bike on parts of my loop fine but struggling doing it on the carbon bike and have to knock it down a few gears ? the carbon bike does feel a tad smoother but if i was to choose between them I would pick the steelie .
Is it all in my head
10-12-20, 05:24 AM
#2
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Load free Strava on your phone, ride your route. You won't have to guess at the results. 21K/13miles is short to make any judgement. Try 100K and any difference will be more apparent. 
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10-12-20, 06:31 AM
#3
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Check your saddle fore/aft position, compared to your other bike. The new has the saddle shoved forward and a short stem. If that still produces a 20mm longer reach, the fit on one of the bikes isn't ideal. The saddle should not be used for reach adjustment.
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10-12-20, 06:35 AM
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Yeah, it could all just be saddle position. On every bike I ride, I routinely slam the saddle back as far as it will go without even thinking about it. Of course YMMV, but that's the first thing I would try on the CF bike.
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10-12-20, 06:36 AM
#6
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10-12-20, 07:43 AM
#7
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If the seat post was showing signs of corrosion, I would suspect that the wheel bearings, chain and BB should also be inspected and addressed as well.
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10-12-20, 08:03 AM
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Carbon is not inherently faster or stiffer than other materials. It depends on the quality of carbon and layup. I've not been impressed with lower end carbon - regardless of brand.
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10-12-20, 07:00 PM
#11
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Woodcraft the only 2 parts of my ride i am in top are along a couple of stretches of main road maybe 2k long as I try and push it a bit on them bits. but i dont think i got in top on the carbon one I guess like someone else suggested a longer ride would be the way to go, I do have strava but didn't make a note of what bike I was riding but was sure they were a little down on top speed and my heartrate seemed to be up on the carbon bike but that could have been due to weather or any other factor really, but that aside it feels harder to me ?. I guess i will have a little play with the seat and see if i can get if feeling better.
Cheers for all the input people appreciate the comments and suggestions
10-13-20, 09:01 PM
#12
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Try swapping wheels between the bikes to see if it makes a difference.
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