To find out why your bike is suddenly harder to pedal, there are several things you can check. Before taking your bike to a bicycle shop for maintenance or repair, it is useful to go through the following points first.
- Check whether your tyres are inflated properly. If they are too soft, cycling can become much harder.
- Check the chain and sprockets. If they are dirty, they can create resistance and make cycling more difficult. A bike chain cleaner can help solve this.
- Check the gears. If the bike is in too high a gear, pedalling can feel heavy.
- Check the saddle. If your saddle is too low or too high, cycling can become much more difficult.
If you have checked all of the above and your bike is still hard to pedal, contact a bicycle maintenance professional for further advice or repair. Carry out regular bike maintenance to keep your bike in optimal condition and make your cycling experience as enjoyable as possible. Enjoy your ride!