Help with First Road Bike for my 70th Birthday!

[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 :-))

[Citycyclegal]

re: weight of pedals, that was my thought also...I just listened to him, but knew it wasn't something I would take seriously. He also told me that you didn't add a rack to this bike...? which I also didn't pay attention to, and now I see all the things you have on yours, LOL. Right now, I just want to get the bike, bring it home, and ride it for a while. I'll figure out what I want on it later. I just came back from a bike repair/maintenance workshop, and feel much more confident about my purchase. The workshop was very informative, lots of fun, nice people, and I met Crankin. I talked to people who had the dual pedals, Frogs, and some who changed from them to others. Right now the weather report is saying light snow on Monday...aargh....enough! Fitting on Monday! looking forward to it. Thanks so much!!! everyone for all your replies and encouragement! It means a great deal to me.

[Crankin]

Check your private messages, Citycyclegal. You'll see a notification at the top of the window.

[Owlie]

re: weight of pedals, that was my thought also...I just listened to him, but knew it wasn't something I would take seriously. He also told me that you didn't add a rack to this bike...? which I also didn't pay attention to, and now I see all the things you have on yours, LOL. Right now, I just want to get the bike, bring it home, and ride it for a while. I'll figure out what I want on it later. I just came back from a bike repair/maintenance workshop, and feel much more confident about my purchase. The workshop was very informative, lots of fun, nice people, and I met Crankin. I talked to people who had the dual pedals, Frogs, and some who changed from them to others. Right now the weather report is saying light snow on Monday...aargh....enough! Fitting on Monday! looking forward to it. Thanks so much!!! everyone for all your replies and encouragement! It means a great deal to me.

Carbon frames usually lack eyelets for racks. It's not so much "you don't" but "you can't." Although I think "you can't" evolved from "you don't."