Why is my new used bike slow?

"Not having ridden for many years" - here lies the answers

even though i bought new bike with 21 gears its slow coz of many years gap :)

edit :

for faster speeds > move chain to largest chainring in front & smallest in back

So you bought a "7 speed bicycle"? Which one? If it is a 7 speed cruiser it will be heavy and slow. If it is a lightweight bike with high pressure tires it would be faster, but no bike is any faster than the rider using it. If you are out of shape YOU won't be able to ride fast regardless of the bike you have. For maximum efficiency, your tires have to be properly inflated to the recommended pressure on the tire sidewall and your saddle has to be at the correct height. For fastest speed, you use the correct gear for conditions. This is the gear that will allow you to pedal at 70-90rpm with moderate pressure on the pedals. Smaller cogs require that you push hard on the pedals, but if you aren't yet strong enough you will bog down and will not go faster. Novice cyclists often use too hard a gear and end up going slower than they could if they shifted to an easier gear

New used bike??? Did you thoroughly inspect it first or have a qualified bike mechanic look at it first? Are the wheels turning true? Are the brake pads rubbing the rims in spots? Is there the proper amount of air in the tires? Is the saddle (seat) at the proper height? Could be - you are just plain out of shape.

The fastest speed is obtained by using WHATEVER gear is needed for the existing conditions. Always pedal at a rate or "cadence" of at least 70-90 rpm in gears that are easy to use with moderate pedal pressure. This is why bicycles have gears; to match the gear selection to the terrain conditions...uphill, downhill, flat land, riding into the wind or with the wind at your back. Whatever happened to common sense?

Links below. Please read. Class starts now.

i'm guessing the 'engine' you - is the problem

plus y ou don;t know how to use gears

or even what the right questions are

wle