Did I make a mistake?

[Owlie]

She has the Ruby Apex Compact so she has a double on the front rather than a triple. Given that, it makes sense to do a lot of riding while she gets comfortable in the small ring in the front and practice shifting on the rear. The empty parking lot is a good idea.

Good point on the fact that the gearing is different on road bike. I was wondering if newtothis was trying to ride around in the big chain ring on the front (the "hard" gear).

Thanks. I haven't had enough coffee this morning for proper reading comprehension.

OP, I can't really talk about compact doubles because I don't have one (and didn't like them on the bikes I rode that have them), but my suggestion still stands on the parking lot. The small chainring isn't comfortable for me except on hills, but you're not me. You might find it works for you.