Long Torso, Short Legs.

[winddance]

I do my first shopping tomorrow. First go is to ride Specialized Roubaix, Ruby, Amira. Then orbeas. THEN jamis and felts. Then giant and Fuji. Trek, cannondale, marin last.

And no white!

Thoughts on clips? I've never clipped in.

I like Speedplays. Not only are they kind to your knees, but I feel like they're a good first option due to the amount of float they have. I'm somewhat of a klutz but have found they were easy to get out of and avoid the slow tipover.

I have to say the thing I loved the most about my Orbea (aside from its overall prettiness,) was the fact that it absolutely OOZED up hills. That bike probably would have climbed without me. Its new owner finds it to be the same.

If you like the Amira's feel but not the WSD fit, the unisex version is the Tarmac, so perhaps add that to your list as well?

[Catrin]

As far as clipless pedals are concerned, I LOVE my Speedplay Frogs - just love them! They are a dream to clip in/out of, have never unclipped accidentally, very knee-friendly, and as mountain bike pedals the platform is larger than SPD mtb pedals. Nothing wrong with using mtb pedals on the ready as the recessed cleats does make it easier to walk around.

I've heard good things about LOOK and Speedplay road pedals but I've not used them.

[kelleil]

Ladies, I couldn't get off the Amira. The ruby and roubaix were fine (48 and 51 for the ruby, 49 for the roubaix. Of the two I liked the roubaix better.) But with the Amira, my upper back didn't hurt, it was effortless in the drops, and I had this deep sense of joy. My butt didn't love it as much tho, so the ruby/roubaix gets a point there.

My bf tried to talk me into the ruby due to the cassette being better for climbing as we've got 2000 ft climbs here but the Amira won hands down.

Granted I had a hard time getting started on any. On my commuter I stay on the seat with a toe down. To start from standing is going to take getting used to.

And then the clips... I'm not ready but I'm thinking MTB clips.

Oh what have I gotten myself into?

There will be crazy descents! I don't have health insurance!!

Ayeee!

[kelleil]

Speed plays, crank brothers, shimano MTB? Those are the recs I've received thus far

(although really I gotta be good just starting, a month or two maybe)

[Koronin]

Glad you were able to test all 3 to decide which was best. Also for for your butt, it could be a different saddle would help with that.

[MGM]

Congrats! You're feeling more comfortable with a more stretched out position. The Amira is a super bike and one you'll be proud to own. I went clipless for the first time with my new road bike, and got the Speedplay Light Action (road pedals). A lot of people use the Speedplay Frogs on their roadies too (mountain bike shoes). They are very light, two sided so no fumbling for the correct side, and easier to clip in and out of than some other pedals. Have a good amount of float, too, so you don't feel locked in one position. I told my bike shop that if they could find me a shoe that didn't hurt my foot and a pedal that I could get in and out of with relative ease then I'd consider going clipless. Well they did, and I went clipless.

[MGM]

Oh, and you could switch out your saddle, which I believe is the Jett(?) to the Lithia Comp used on the Ruby. Both are Specialized. They make very nice saddles.

[Owlie]

Ladies, I couldn't get off the Amira. The ruby and roubaix were fine (48 and 51 for the ruby, 49 for the roubaix. Of the two I liked the roubaix better.) But with the Amira, my upper back didn't hurt, it was effortless in the drops, and I had this deep sense of joy. My butt didn't love it as much tho, so the ruby/roubaix gets a point there.

My bf tried to talk me into the ruby due to the cassette being better for climbing as we've got 2000 ft climbs here but the Amira won hands down.

Granted I had a hard time getting started on any. On my commuter I stay on the seat with a toe down. To start from standing is going to take getting used to.

And then the clips... I'm not ready but I'm thinking MTB clips.

Oh what have I gotten myself into?

There will be crazy descents! I don't have health insurance!!

Ayeee!

The Amira is an awesome bike. (I'm actually considering one, since I think the Ruby may be too upright for me.) You can swap out the saddle. It may be more comfortable because of the extra padding in the Lithia/Riva as compared to the Jett.

As far as clipless pedals are concerned, I'm currently using SPDs (Shimano MTB pedals). I like them. There was a bit of a learning curve there, but I like them. I'm probably going to be changing them out for Speedplays or Looks on my next bike, but they're fine to get started.

[winddance]

My bf tried to talk me into the ruby due to the cassette being better for climbing as we've got 2000 ft climbs here but the Amira won hands down.

There will be crazy descents! I don't have health insurance!!

Ayeee!

...Yeah. That was my argument to myself about the Ruby or the Trek, because I have a compact on my Amira and live in some pretty hilly territory. But!! I love riding my bike so I figured that would help me get strong enough to ride on those hills instead of having a sort of, "meh" feeling about the entire situation. And the descents are fuuun.

Give yourself time on clipless. No need to rush. Enjoy your bike!

[Eden]

Cassettes are cheap (relatively - maybe about $100...) and easily replaceable... in fact they are a part that wears and *needs* eventual replacing. That certainly shouldn't be a deciding factor.

[kelleil]

So tonight I talked to a friend who is a bike shop manager and a triathlete who recommended totally different ones. First said Looks, triathlete said the shimanos and not the speed plays. So confusing.

Consensus please!! No...? Oh...

I just don't want to have to think about it!

Should I swap out for a different cassette? I'm getting ahead of myself. I've gotta be able to get on it first.

Re saddle: yes it's the Jett. The original ruby pro I tried had the same. The others were indeed the Lithia.

Y'all have been awesome.

[Eden]

So much of it is about personal preference.... I love my speedplays. I grew up with toe clips... flip the pedal over to put your foot in.... My speedplays are double sided - I don't think I'd ever go back to a single sided pedal like a look, but that's me. Other people love their looks.

What cassette comes on each of the models you are looking at? I would guess the difference isn't huge. Try what's on the bike and if you are experiencing problems then change it. (Now we are only talking about the rear gears here.... changing the *cranks*[front gearing] from say a standard to a compact or to a triple is a whole different proposition, and is expensive)

[Crankin]

Do not let anyone's "opinion" sway you. There are a lot of "myths" in cycling, i.e. don't do this, do that. Try everything. The fact that the saddle isn't comfortable means nothing. I don't know anyone who kept the saddle that came with his/her bike.
I have Speedplay X pedals on one road bike and Speedplay Frogs on the other. I've also used regular SPDs. I liked the SPDs until my knees started complaining and now that I've been using Speedplays for about 7-8 years I never want to change.
I have the same saddle on both bikes and I don't want to change that, either!

[winddance]

So tonight I talked to a friend who is a bike shop manager and a triathlete who recommended totally different ones. First said Looks, triathlete said the shimanos and not the speed plays. So confusing.
.

My tri coach recommends speedplays. But I already used them before we started working together. Ask 50 people and you'll get 50 answers.

There is no consensus, so just find what works for you. For example, my father used to use SPDs but struggles with plantar fasciaitis, and got hot spots from the SPDs. I have a myriad of foot issues but had never had problems with my Speedplays, but WAS having trouble with the spin bikes at the gym (SPD.) I shared this observation with him, and he bought himself some Speedplay light action pedals. Now he can ride his bike comfortably again. It turned out to be a "big cleat/small pedal" (Speedplay) vs. "small cleat/bigger pedal" (SPD) issue for him that was concentrating the pressure on a small part of his foot. The Speedplay cleat seems to spread the pressure more evenly and thus doesn't give him problems.

So, just think about YOU, your body, and what would work best. Ask a lot of questions. You can always change your mind later.

[MGM]

My tri coach recommends speedplays. But I already used them before we started working together. Ask 50 people and you'll get 50 answers.

There is no consensus, so just find what works for you...

So, just think about YOU, your body, and what would work best. Ask a lot of questions. You can always change your mind later.

Yup, best advice you can go by. You have to find what works for you, just like when you chose your bike (but the SPDs are much heavier. Just sayin'... ;-) ).