Wahine: Thanks for your thoughts. I'll check the cleat placement and also my feet alignment with respect to my hips, something I never thought about.

My bike seems to fit well and other than the feet I'm quite comfortable on the bike. I did have the same problem with my Trek FX too.

I'm not very strong and could see where my bike stroke could be a factor. My calf muscles don't seem tight, but who knows. I probably could really use someone legged peddling exercises.

My thoughts at this point: If the Doms are good enough for Veronica and Mimi, than they are surely good enough for me!

I know the boys down at my lbs will say I need the road cleats to spread the pressure out. My concern is that I'm not very strong or coordinated and may have a harder time clipping in/out when tired.

The eggbeaters are simple to clip in/out from any spot in the pedal rotation.

But who knows what I'll decide by tomorrow!!!