Making my bike more efficient???

[Gadolinium]

Hey all

I have a Saracen Ventoux, with 14 gears and wheels with a circumference of 2155 mm (had to measure for the cycle computer). How can I make my bike more efficient? At the moment, it is really hard work to ride and takes so much effort. I know improving my fitness will help, but my dads bike which is about 20 years older, is so much more efficient, and so much more effortless to ride.

Has anyone else found this problem. Is it just the bike, or is there something I can change/adjust to make it less hard work???

 

[geo8rge]

Have a local shop look at it.
Take a bicycle maintenance course.
sheldonbrown.com or parktools.com

If the bike is old the hubs might need overhauling.

obvious things:
You might turn the bike over and crank the pedals to see if it feels wrong. remove the wheel and see if the axel spins freely. Are the brakes rubbing against the wheel?