Help with First Road Bike for my 70th Birthday!

[thekarens]

Just my .02 as someone who is new to being clipped in. I'd start with "comfortable" places as far as being clipped in goes...your subdivision, an empty parking lot, park, etc. I spent several days just going in circles in my cul-de-sac, then I moved out into the subdivision, then to the park and then on a group ride. Once you're comfortable with those things hills won't seem quite so scary. I figure if nothing else, if I find a hill I can't pedal up I can always walk it

[Crankin]

What shop are you buying from?
A salesperson who is telling you not to buy the dual sided pedals because of weight, raises my concern. That's something a racer would be concerned about. He or she might also tell you not to use spd/mountain style pedals on your road bike. You are obviously experienced in many facets of cycling and that will help you. I agree to starting in stages and I also did something similar to Karen when I got my first clip less pedals. First in my neighborhood, then around the area, where the streets were flat, and finally I rode for about 3 weeks with only one foot clipped in and the other resting on top of the cleat. Finally, I felt that was dumb and I was naturally starting to clip in. However, using clip less on hills makes climbing easier; you start out on small hills and build up.
The one thing I will caution you about with the dual sided "campus" pedals, is because they have the cleat only on one side, that side is heavier and it makes the pedal flip over when you are starting off. Not all of the time, but sometimes you have to kick it to flip it to whatever side you want, be it flat or cleated.
I will talk to you at the workshop, but I am interested where you bought your bike...

[Owlie]

I work in a bike shop. I do tend to caution people new to clipless against the campus pedals because if you want to clip in, they flip over, and having to look down at your pedals at intersections can cost you--I definitely don't talk about the weight! Provided that you're aware of the tendency for them to flip over and it becomes instinct to turn them so that the clip-in mechanism faces up, they're a viable option. (I still tell people to consider a dual-sided (ie, you can clip into either side of the pedal) SPD-type pedal as well if they're thinking of the "campus"-type pedals.)

[Catrin]

I tried out the campus-style pedals when I first learned to ride. I didn't like them. It took those few extra seconds to flip the pedal to clip in (when it worked the first time), and the platform side was so slick that I couldn't keep my feet on the pedals, so I really couldn't use the platform side. I moved onto good quality BMX pedals and was quite happy with those until I went clipless a year or so later (Speedplay Frogs). That was my experience, but that doesn't mean everyone will have the same issue.

[marmac]

if i can ride clipless, anyone can. i am in my 60's and not the most coordinated person on the planet. i have the dual sided pedals, shimano A530's. i don't find it too difficult to transition between the flat and clipped side. the idea of toe cages scare the daylights out of me and i think they would be more difficult that the clipless.
if i am changing sides, i just wait until i have my speed up before i clip in. it is sometimes easier to be on the flat side if the situation could create a quick need to stop ie,
MUT and there are alot of kids on bikes or walkers who aren't paying much attention to where they are walking. the only thing i had problems with was the cleats that came
with the pedals. i needed to switch to the multi release cleats. they are much easier to clip out with.

[Citycyclegal]

Thanks everyone! Due to recent snow, I haven't been fitted for my bike yet, rescheduled it to this Monday. I've decided not to purchase the shoes and pedals I set aside. They offer 10% off things bought with purchase of a new bike, but that's not going to break the bank. I want to be more informed and confident about what I want. As it is, I may not have put enough time into the purchase of the bike, it was an emotional purchase, done too quickly perhaps. I have gotten positive feedback about the bike however, so I'm looking forward to getting out on it finally. I'll get familiar with the SRAM shifting, and then get the clipless pedals/shoes. Looking forward to talking with you at the workshop, Crankin.

[Cyclingfun]

Hi again, Citycyclegal! That sounds like a good idea to take it in stages. Also, I guess it means that, when you do buy the clipless pedals and shoes, you'll already have the non clipless variety to swap back to if you want. That comment from the bike shop about pedal weight is only a serious consideration if you are a serious racer, I would have thought. As I'm always on the high end of the 'normal BMI' spectrum I look at it in this way - if I really wanted to lose some more bike-weight, rather than being the LBS dream customer and buying into the featherlight, super-expensive, pro-racing gear saving a few grams here and a few there - well, I could just lose a few grams off me instead :-)). The Ruby is so wonderfully light already and the bits and pieces I've added to her (Crudguards, lights, saddle, bags (top tube and saddle ones), pedals) don't seem to have spoilt her for me. I had a bike fit, by the way, and thoroughly enjoyed it as the guy was really helpful and I went away feeling so much more confident that I could now enjoy the Ruby with the least damage to my ageing body! I wish you years of pleasure from your lovely bike :-))