new rider again

[Kano]

So, it counts as being a new rider to go from being a comfort-beaster to a roadie, because I say so!

DH and I went shopping today and found a GREAT deal on a very comfy '06 Roubaix Elite. (deep blue) I did NOT expect all carbon, and even some Ultegra in the mix! I thought I'd be lucky to get tiagra instead of Sora...

Not WSD, but a very nice fit. Much better than the Dolce I also rode. Both were okay up on the hoods, but when I got into the drops, the WSD just wasn't a happy thing. As I told DH, the only comfort issue I found on it was anatomical: MY anatomy got in the way a bit when I was in the drops, and the bike shop will NOT be able to make THAT change for me!

Picture later on today, right now I'm trying to figure out how to get the pedals off my beast so I can put them on my new toy. We have a hedge to massacre, and then, as I told DH, we MUST go for an inaugural ride!

(DH insisted we had to get some kind of ****ering going, even with the discount, so we got 'em to swap the seat for something wider which may end up on my comfort-beast, and to throw in a couple of tubes. They wouldn't do pedals, so that's why I'm swapping out the stock "blocks" for my clipless ones!)

So, any tricks to getting these things swapped out, or do I just need DH's upper body strength, since I"m just pulling and pushing on the wrench with no luck?

Karen in Boise

[Grog]

Hi Karen !

Congrats on the new bike! Make sure you send us pics soon!!

For the pedals, remember that you must unscrew them by turning your wrench towards the BACK of the bike, whichever side you are on. To put the pedals on, you must turn the wrench towards the FRONT of the bike.

This being said, I've often experienced fused pedals which I was unable to remove. When the bike shop finally did the job for me last time, we added a little o-ring (plus the usual grease) and it made a world of difference.

I now put the pedals on and off by using an hex-key (instead of the wrench) on the inside of the crank. Much easier, too.

ENJOY!!

[Kano]

Thanks Grog!

Pedals are on -- DH has better leverage, since he's taller and has more upper body strength than I do, which made him more persuasive getting them loosened from the other bike. I did install them my ownself, though!

I love the ride! It's so much nicer than my comfort-beast. I ca tell that this new riding position will take a little getting used to, like I need to add some core strength, I feel this in my hands and elbows!

The seat may need to change too. Not sure, could be that I'm wearing my yukky shorts today!

So, here she is, and she wanted me to give you a better glimpse of her lovely blue!

Karen in Boise

[mimitabby]

CONGRATS on the road bike!!

Take your time, they take some getting used to.

( I am finally over the big hump in that learning curve)
m

[Kano]

Thanks Mimi!

I feel like I'm flying with almost no effort at all, it's amazing!

Gotta get myself a rear view mirror of some sort, since it would be nice to see where DH is straggling along behind!

Karen in Boise

[SouthernBelle]

Very pretty. Has she told you her name yet?

[wannaduacentury]

Hi Karen !

Congrats on the new bike! Make sure you send us pics soon!!

For the pedals, remember that you must unscrew them by turning your wrench towards the BACK of the bike, whichever side you are on. To put the pedals on, you must turn the wrench towards the FRONT of the bike.

This being said, I've often experienced fused pedals which I was unable to remove. When the bike shop finally did the job for me last time, we added a little o-ring (plus the usual grease) and it made a world of difference.

I now put the pedals on and off by using an hex-key (instead of the wrench) on the inside of the crank. Much easier, too.

ENJOY!!

Thanks Grog, I needed that advice too. I forgot how to do it



Jennifer

[Bikingmomof3]

Sweet Bike! Enjoy her.

[logdiva32]

Hi Karen !

Congrats on the new bike! Make sure you send us pics soon!!

For the pedals, remember that you must unscrew them by turning your wrench towards the BACK of the bike, whichever side you are on. To put the pedals on, you must turn the wrench towards the FRONT of the bike.

This being said, I've often experienced fused pedals which I was unable to remove. When the bike shop finally did the job for me last time, we added a little o-ring (plus the usual grease) and it made a world of difference.

I now put the pedals on and off by using an hex-key (instead of the wrench) on the inside of the crank. Much easier, too.

ENJOY!!

A tip from a not so old army female wrench turner. Keep a what we call a cheater pole around ( 2-4 ft pole) slide over wrench and turn;adds hundreds of foot lbs for torque power.