Probably just something to do with your general set-up with it being as old as it is I'm no pro or anything - still quite new actually :$ But just about everything that CAN go wrong with a bike - on mine - it has. All within 9 months or so Maybe a slightly too difficult gear ratio? Might be too long for your liking, and you're struggling to get the leverage to pull it up maybe... It may have something to do with the BB rise - but I can't talk about that seeing as I've only ever ridden my 'Pro, not had the chance to see what other heights are like - so I'll leave that for someone else to pick at. -Flipp