My bike feels more difficult to pedal than it used to?

Your question brings up more questions. When's the last time you checked the air in the tires? When's the last time you cleaned & re-lubed the chain, gears & derailleurs? When's the last time (if ever) the bike has been to a shop for a tune-up?

Do the wheels turn true with no side-to-side or up & down wobble. If a wheel is out of true, it could be rubbing the brake pads - making it difficult to pedal. In short - your bike is in desperate need of a tune-up (at least) from your authorized, independent, knowledgeable, friendly, local bicycle shop.

The clicking may indicate that the chain and gears are not meshing exactly. This may be because your gear cables have stretched slightly in which case your local bike shop should be able to reindex them in a matter of minutes for around £5-10. A little quality lube on your chain once a month may help too. Having to work harder may mean your brakes are binding, that your tyres need reinflating or that, like many of us, you've put on a few extra pounds over Xmas.

Give it an oil 'bath'. Lube the chain with a paint brush[1/2 inch] by 'painting' the four sides also 'paint' the rear cog as it helps the gears. Basically anything that pivots needs lubed with a few drops of oil. Also treat yourself to a T handled floor pump, most tyres are happy at four bar. Tyres may be the wrong type such as super knobbly tyres, the Schwalbe Marathon Plus range is a good start from SJSCycles. Also try to learn how to service it as edinburghbicylecoop do classes for beginners. A properly looked after bike runs much smoother.

Check your chain to make sure it's flexing like it's supposed to. If it's really stiff and oiling is not helping then it may be time to get a new one.

Also make sure your axle bearings are oiled and that your pedal bearings are also.

Failing all of that...take it to a bike shop to have them look at it. You may have worn bearings that need replacing.

i think of we % extra documents, so, that could be a team of questions. You pronounced gears. what variety of gears? MTB, hybrid or highway motorbike? i do no longer % to sound condescending, yet do you already know the gears & the thank you to shift? without pedaling, does the motorbike roll particularly? Do the wheels spin particularly? If definite, then needless to say that isn't the wheels. turn the pedal/cranks backward. Does this sense mushy and uncomplicated?

Yes, it could be that the chain just needs oiling; or it could also be that the cogs and gears need to be reset because they are not engaging properly.

no it isn;t oiling, that wouldn;t really make that much difference in effort, just chain life

either look at it for dragging brakes, rubbing tires, etc and or go to a shop

could be a m illion things

inc luding ""just your perception''''

or wind in your face that day

wle

It is time to bring your bike into a shop for maintenance.

If you purchased your bike at a bike shop it is possible that the work will be completed for little or no charge... but you have to make the trip to find out!

Also check for soft tyres and rubbing brakes

What about your Xmas spread, how many pounds did you put on?

Check tire pressure and for brake pads rubbing.