I think this is the place....

When I start looking seriously at road bikes, there are probably things to look for besides pretty paint. There's that lovely Dolce (specialized) down at the LBS yesterday, with the carbon fork/aluminum frame, and that makes sense, I think. It's got a "triple" which sounds like a very good thing for me, since I have enough trouble on hills without taking away that tiny gear up front! The brake lever system on the $800 version looked like a good thing for me, though the shifter system on the $1200 version looked like a better way to go. Bike guy said that the extra brake levers could be added to the nicer bike if I wanted them. Pedals -- gotta have my clipless pedals when I get around to doing this. Bike guy says that the frames are all mostly the same, that I wouldn't "gain" much by going up to the Ruby, really, so a Dolce would be cool. I AM just getting started after all. Don't need real fancy stuff yet. But I got thinking about wheels. Tires, spokes, that sort of thing.

Something about people having problems with things breaking, cuz maybe they're too heavy for the components struck home: I want to be sure I'm buying stuff that can handle me when I get to it, cuz at least for now, I'm a "clydesdale" (at least those monsters are beautiful horses!)

SO, the question is, I guess, are things I should take into consideration as a larger rider?

Karen in Boise, who's more and more tempted....