We often use the phrase ‘like riding a bike’ when we talk about something that we know from memory. This phrase implies that there is nothing easier than learning to ride a bike and that once you know how to do it, there is no way of losing that skill. However, sometimes riding a bike isn’t about just remembering – and sometimes your bike just may not pedal.
Your bike may be hard to pedal because of a few reasons. Here are some of the things to consider:
- Your brakes are not correctly adjusted.
- A tightened wheel because of damaged axles.
- The cartridge bearings have some damage.
- A rusty chain or one that has seen damage.
- A bottom bracket that is too tight.
- You’re using the wrong tires with the wrong pressure.
- The pedals are too tight.
If you suspect that this is the case for your bike, keep reading our article! We will explain the possible causes for hard pedaling and what you can do to fix each of these issues. So, if you really want to get to the bottom of your issue on the bike, keep reading our article!
Why Is My Bike Hard To Pedal?
So, you’re biking along, and you notice that the bike is not able to pedal any further. What does this mean, and how can you fix your bike? There are many causes to consider when you are trying to address this problem, so let’s discuss each one in detail.
Brakes Are Not Adjusted
In most cases, when there is a problem with the adjustment on the brakes, you can easily tell. This is because you will hear an unmistakable sound of the brakes rubbing. However, in some cases, you won’t hear the sound, and as the alignment falls out even more, you won’t be able to pedal any further.
This issue can happen because of disk brakes. If you are using disk brakes, you will need to take out the brake caliper and turn the wheel to see if the rotor is appearing to wobble. If that is the case, you need to adjust the rotor. Once you have done that, you can place the caliper back and then tighten the bolts just enough.
Wheels Are Too Tight
This issue can come up if you are using a bike with a cup and cone axle system. It’s a system that is sensitive to too much tightening, and in these models, this is a common issue you can experience. If you pull the wheel too far from the frame, the cones can tighten, causing the wheel to slow down and the pedals to stop working. Usually, you can fix this by untightening the cone bolts and by keeping the ball bearings undamaged.
Damage To Cartridge Bearings
Cartridge bearings can, in some cases, sustain damage enough to halter your bicycle pedaling. Because the bearings lose their smooth surface, the pedaling becomes more challenging over time. This can happen if they break, or rust, or even obtain enough scratches.
The more damage there is, the greater the friction, and the less smooth movement will be on the bike. The only way to fix this issue is to take out the bearings and clean them. You can try different methods to get rid of any rust, but if they are broken or damaged, you will need to replace them eventually.
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Rusty Chain
Perhaps this is the most commonly known answer to the problem you are facing. A rusty chain won’t be able to move through the bike’s mechanism smoothly enough. As a result, you may find it hard to pedal and move the bike. In most cases, though, there is an easy tell that there is something wrong with the chain.
When a chain is rusty, you will hear a sound that almost seems like there is grinding happening. In this case, there is a way to fix the problem. Start off by removing the chain from the bike, and then place it in a bath with a rust cleaning agent. Once you let the rust cleaner take care of the chain, you can clean it using a WD-40 polish.
This will help to keep your chain moving smoothly. However, in some cases, the rust can be much worse, meaning it will need to be replaced for the bike to work. But don’t worry, any old mechanism can replace your bike’s chain for you in just a little bit of time.
Bottom Brackets
Another issue you can potentially run into is with the bottom brackets on your bike. When the bottom brackets are too tight, this locks the system in place, and the spindle will not be able to move. In that case, you should try and take out the chain from the crank-set and then spin it. If there is resistance, that means they need to be loosened up. You can also use different tools to adjust the bottom brackets.
Wrong Tires
There are many different tires available, with a lot of factors that can play into whether or not they are the right tire for you. Using the wrong tire can make a massive difference in the way that your bike works. This could be because of the terrain or even the type of tire. If the tire is not in the right direction, for example, you won’t be able to move. Another thing is the pressure. You should always check the pressure of the tire, as a tire with low pressure can be hard to move.
Tightened Pedals
One reason for your bike not pedaling right is, well, the pedals aren’t working as they should. Each type of pedal uses different mechanisms, but there are simple ways to address this problem entirely. Try spinning both the pedals and check for any resistance. If you see any catching, you need to clean the pedals for rust or replace them by taking them to a mechanic.
Conclusion
Hopefully, once you have read this article, you have been able to address the problem with your bike. With all of these methods, you should be able to restore your bike to perfect function again!