[QUOTE=RoadRaven]I have a training bike and a race bike, and they are both doubles - I don't want a triple. You will find that many women-specific/designed bikes have a triple. The triple ensures that it is much easier to climb a hill.

Training bike? Race bike? Yikes -- new things to think about again! What's the difference in the two?

It sounds to me like personally, for me, triple is good!


This is the kind of question you would find in cars - Falcon or Holden? BMW or Merc? Porsche or Volkswagon? Its about components, materials, reputation etc etc.

Oh dear -- I'm not certain Porsche and Volkswagen are apples and apples... Especially confusing is when the Dodge looks just like the Chrysler, you know, and the derailleur thingies look alike, but why does the one on the blue bike make the bike cost so much more than the one on the red bike? See what I mean? (I'm still learning about why shorts aren't shorts aren't shorts!)



The pedals that you clip in and out of with cleats attached to the sole of your cycling-specific shoes will enable you to bike faster on the flat, and give you more "oomph" when climbing. Once used to them, most people never want anything else. I have never like the idea of strapping myself in with buckles and straps - too hard to get out of in a rush - I'm not that coordinated. But with cleats you can just twist your toes and you are free (I recommend "LOOK" )

Yes, pedals - they're like, my next purchase. The sooner the better, my quads are telling me this week! Quads are doing all the work alone (so to speak) now, and I know the difference from the "cages" on my old bike. I could probably take those buggers off that bike and move them, but I don't like them in the first place. Same clutz issue, more the getting in than out, maybe. So, yes, pedals to go with my shoes is the next thing (shoes happened cuz my feet hurt in softer shoes!) I like the shoe/pedal concept --

BUT -- why do you like the LOOK kind over others? ( I'm pretty sure that this pedal question is much like the saddle question and I could get a LOT of different answers!)



Keep looking round the site, Kano... use the search engine and join in convos... its a really useful site with a wealth of knowledge on tap here.

I LOVE search engines! And while I admit, at first I was a bit shy of asking, I've decided you more experienced ladies seem easy with sharing your knowledge. I'm also noticing a huge crop of MEs in the group lately -- I don't feel quite so alone in my newness! So, I'm working with the search engine a lot, and learning lots of things that don't always apply to what I thought I was looking for!

Karen in Boise