Tension after coasting

[gavinr]

When coasting and you then put the foot down, I'd like there to be an immediate tension on the pedals, but instead there is a tiny free rotation and then the tension kicks in.

would you know what's wrong?
Is it the chain, something else? The chain itself doesn't look too saggy.
Am I in the wrong gear?

I'm new to bike repair, fyi. so any ideas would be good thanks

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Replying to myself, the other time you can notice this, is if you back peddle a bit, and then immediatly front peddle. There's a slight 'free wheel' gap between the tension coming back on, compared to what you would expect.

[nfmisso]

There will always be some free motion when switching from coasting to pedalling due to:

* pedal bearings are not infinitely stiff
* BB bearings are not infinitely stiff
* there is a slight gap between the chain roller and the chain ring
* there is a slight gap between each chain pin and roller
* slight gap between the chain roller and the cogs
* the freewheel/freehub pawls require slight motion to engage
* the spokes are not infinitely stiff
* the tire has some compliance.

A Fixie has less free play, but there is still some noticeable.

[gavinr]

After a service I noticed that the free motion was less. I was wondering what was fixed (I didn't mention it to the mechanic to fix).

So are any of the above tunable?
Or was it just pumping the tyre .. which I generally have soft alright ..

[nfmisso]

The bearings are tuneable; except "sealed" BBs

Chains and sprockets are wear items.

Tire pressure is.