[andy89]

Hi

Recently purchased a Trek Roscoe 7, i don't really do any serious mountain biking just like to take the family out to trails around Buxton etc.
I have noticed i have to work quite hard to get it moving and to keep it going, it feels like a truck for some reason. It's been serviced so everything is working as it should, really not sure...
Is there anything i can do or get to maybe help? Or should i get a different bike?

 

[CrozCountry]

Biking on trails takes more effort than on pavement. Especially on lose trails and gravel. It's best to switch bikes with someone else for a minute and see if their bike feels the same. You can also try your bike on pavement and see if it takes more effort than a typical bike.

A couple of things to check mechanically:

1. Enough tire pressure
2. Wheels spin freely without brakes engaged

 

[edstrobici]

Which bikes have you ridden on trails before, or is this your first? The Plus size tires are not fast rolling. I see this is about 32lbs. which is pretty heavy for a hardtail. are you getting into any decents during your ride. if you are riding mostly flat bike paths and carriage roads, definitely add air to these wide tires. Also check your fork air. if too soft you can loose momentum when pedaling hard. Or just try the the fork in the lockout position to prevent pedal loss. again just as a test.

 

[andy89]

These trails/paths are mostly straight gravel routes, family friendly, nothing serious. I usually hire bikes from there, hybrids, and as much as i hate the look, they seem to be effortless when they get going.
I will check the pressure and add some air if needed, i know the wheels spin freely as this was one of the first things i checked.
It also feels like i'm hunched a little over my handlebars as they feel a bit low which makes it uncomfortable after a while.

 

[edstrobici]

you may be able to move some of your stem spacers from under to over the stem, to raise your bars a bit, for free, otherwise you can get a stem with an angle greater than your current. Adjust your bar height intro video:

 

[chazpat]

Sounds like it is the wide and heavy plus wheels/tires compared to the narrow hybrid tires you're used to. Takes more effort to get them spinning and I'm guessing if they are renting hybrids to ride on the gravel, it's a well packed and relatively smooth path where you don't need the benefits of the wider tires.

you may be able to move some of your stem spacers from under to over the stem, to raise your bars a bit, for free, otherwise you can get a stem with an angle greater than your current.

I think you got that backwards!

 

[edstrobici]

Sounds like it is the wide and heavy plus wheels/tires compared to the narrow hybrid tires you're used to. Takes more effort to get them spinning and I'm guessing if they are renting hybrids to ride on the gravel, it's a well packed and relatively smooth path where you don't need the benefits of the wider tires.

I think you got that backwards!

YUP. Doh! Good catch CHAZPAT! Should have written Add more spacers UNDER the stem, if possible. I need more coffee! And I was thinking the same about those hybrid bikes having narrower/lighter weight tires.

 

[In2falling]

Maybe convert it from 27.5+ to a 29er? Pickup cheap light 29 wheelset maybe 30mm inner, and put some light fast rolling 2.35/2.4 trail tires on it?

 

[rangeriderdave]

For the riding you say you are doing, those tires are over kill . I'd look into putting something lighter/narrower on at least the rear wheel.

 

[Koogs]

I'd first check the tire pressure, and pump it up to a higher PSI. not sure what the tires can take, but more in the 30-40, than 20.

if you are really spending most of your time on gravel and not taking it on more adventurous trails, you can look into narrower faster rolling tires.

 

[kevine1785]

First things first... check your bike over!

The wheels should spin freely for a least 30 seconds with a moderate spin. (The brakes may be misaligned and can drag and make you bike feel like its riding in deep mud)

Next check your bolts for proper torque... and wheels for alignment (especially your back wheel). Your bike should ride nicely and compared to other bikes shouldn't take much more effort. If it still rides poorly get the shop to check it out.