Seriously, my head hurts - so many things to learn!

[Trek420]

I think the SPD-R will work with my shoes, but I do need to somehow find cleats. The LBS didn't carry them...according to the LBS guy, because they are outdated.

Translation of your LBS "we don't have them in stock and don't know how to order them". I wear MTB style shoes on all my bikes, and yes, Sidi makes a MTB style shoe (if you wear 38s, you want 'em??)

I've had a series of LBS try to sell me similar cleats that are less expensive than the ones I use. Those I could clip in with .... but not out

When I need new cleats I my old pair of shoes with me or go to my fave LBS who listens to me

Thanks ladies - this place is awesome and has been a huge help already! Scary to think I'm still this clueless even after the extensive reading I've done on here!

Yes we are. Welcome to TE or as we call it "heaven for women cyclists" Have you surfed on over to the "Getting to Know You" thread yet?

[spotlightmama]

Translation of your LBS "we don't have them in stock and don't know how to order them". I wear MTB style shoes on all my bikes, and yes, Sidi makes a MTB style shoe (if you wear 38s, you want 'em??)

lol - I think you are very right on your translation! And that is such a very generous offer - thank you! Unfortunately, two babies made my feet waay bigger than that. I think I need more like a 41 - but again, thanks for the offer!!

*off to "introduce myself" in the other thread*

[BeeLady]

I liked Zen's advice -- ask your LBS for a pair of throw-away (for them) platform petals and ask them to put them on your bike. And start riding.

And maybe shortly you'll find an LBS where there is someone more helpful or get it all sorted out here. (Can you post photos of your clipless pedals? Someone on this forum will recognize them and point you in the right direction.)

I felt overwhelmed trying to buy all the right stuff. Now that I'm settling into my comfortable riding style, I'm finding that most of the stuff that was so "necessary" isn't really all that useful to me. Guess I'm glad I have it all (now that I know what it is all for!) but I could have by-passed the buying frenzy in the beginning. (And saved if for now -- when I really know what I want)

Now I "realize" I need some Sidis (just found out what they were recently) -- will be doing a century soon and the shoes I've been using the last two years won't cut it. But I'm glad I didn't start out in the Sidis because I have really gotten proficient with riding clipless with my very loose and easy mtn bike shoes.

But, a lot of the fun and excitement at first was getting all this stuff figured out and getting all the new gear! Have fun and welcome to the forum.

The ladies here have really gotten me, and many others, on the right track.