okay, so here comes the first few questions about bikes --

figuring there's more to these things than pretty paint jobs, considering the amazing variety of prices (why, some even cost more than my sewing machine!)

When Earl and I went out shopping this spring, we didn't know the WHY of price differences. Looking at two levels of the same bike, we didn't understand WHY this bike with "elite" in the name was worth so much more than the one labeled "sport." Tires were different. Knowing better now, I'd have spent the money on the bike with the Armadillos. But then, I've had like 15 punctures and he's had zero. Riding in the same spots, and he's leading the way... The shifters were different too, but we actually liked way the ones on the cheaper bike worked easier. Perhaps there will come a time... Aside from that, we couldn't SEE what made the "elite" bike better.

SO, WrensMom just got this new Bianchi beauty (the paint is LOVELY! makes me think, there, that's the one for me!) and she said it's got a triple on the front. This I get, cuz this I got on mine. But some of the road bikes don't got this? Or is it that lots of the road bikes don't got this?

Now, I GET that weight is important to roadies. I get that a triple would weigh more than just two, so that could be an issue. But for the average Jane, which is "better" and why?

The other thing I noticed -- she got "Campy." I'm guessing that this is instead of Shimano? And from what I've read here, it sounds like this is a VERY good thing -- again, why?

Then of course, there's the pedals thing. I can get the pedals and put them on this bike I have now, and later move them to some other bike I may get -- or get more pedals for that bike if I decide to keep this bike too when I decide to get some other bike some day, so it can't hurt to know the why of pedals now -- what's better about some than others? What is good for a newbie? Bike dude, when we were shopping for shoes for DPITA the other day was showing us the ones labeled SPD for the most part. People seem to write a lot about getting stuck in these buggers, and falling down. It even sounds like they're all settled out of the things and STILL fall down somehow because of these pedals. I can see the value in those nasty cage things, but I hate 'em because they're clumsy and bulky and stuff. The clicky pedals that are clips but not clips seem like a better idea aside from all this tipping over they seem to make people do, SO -- what do we choose and how do we keep from falling down on what sounds like a regular basis?

So, Campy or Shimano, pedals, double/triple, hmmmm, what was the other thing -- oh, let's see, tires -- this used to be easy when I was a kid. You got a 20", 24", or 26" bike. That was all there was to know. Now they're 26, 650, 700, and several other sizes from weensy to what looks like there might actually be a tire there -- and let's dont' even get to the mountain bike tires that look like they belong on a tractor in comparison! I think I get the tread thing -- or lack of it -- but all the sizes, now there's something to be confused by! (and the whole concept of running over a little rock on the road and getting a flat tire, well, now, that makes a girl think again about the road bike issue....

Okay -- maybe that's a whole lot more to learn about what to look for in a bike than I wanted to ask at one time, but not being in any hurry, I'll take whatever information y'all have to give as it comes, and probably come up with more questions as I learn, eh?

Karen in Boise