Shootingstar--Yes, I've mentioned him before. If he can give me a good reason why he doesn't think I should get that particular bike, fine. I'm not going to let him sway me unless he has a good reason. I just wish he wouldn't try, and why he's trying is bugging me more than the fact that he is.
Smilingcat--As for his attitude on pedals, I think part of it was that he was introduced to road cycling by someone he greatly respects, and that was the way he (and most of the cyclists he knew) was taught to do things. Anything else is a bit alien to him. I think he thinks that starting with toe clips/cages is safer. I disagree. He thinks I'm a little crazy for wanting to put SPD pedals on a road bike, but then again, he's one of those people who must have everything match. (He's the cycling bumblebee of earlier posts...)

Liza--actually, he's an only child!