Not Exactly Maintenance

[Kimmyt]

Double vs. Triple: Triple means more gears to get your butt up those hills. My advice is that if you foresee hills being a problem for you, then go for the triple. Most bikes will come with them stock, and if they don't you can probably trade out the double for the triple when you get the bike fitted (if you have an understanding bike shop). I ride a triple, and every time I'm chugging up those hills on my lowest gear I thank the cycling goddess that I got a bike with a triple. Of course, if you want a double, go for a double. There's no rule as to who can ride what.

Shimano vs. Campy: That's Campagnolo, if I spelled it right. Many people favor Campy because of the quality and history of the company. On here you'll read alot about Campy shifters being easier to use for those with small hands. But I'm also convinced some people just like it cause its Italian, and well, roadies instinctively love anything that's italian. (I know it's true because it said so in that cycling movie... you know the one I'm talking about). I'll sort of equate Campy to your Mercedez-Benz or BMW of cars. The real flash guys/gals drive one. Some drive it because they know the performance and quality is the best. Some drive it because they like people to say, 'Oh, he/she drives a BMW'. And, while you get the quality of Campy (yes, just like Euro cars, Euro crafted gear costs more moolah too for the higher quality) you have to think to yourself, just like a foreign car, when you need parts in a flash (you're broken down in some podunk town where the only bike shop is a BikeLine whose section of performance bikes consists of a Huffy mtn. bike with pegs on the front and back wheels) they may be hard to come by. Shimano makes perfectly good gear, and may be a lot easier to come by in a pinch. So if you're only just getting into the sport I would recommend going with Shimano, at least until you're sure you want to make the dive headlong into being a roadhead.... er, roadie.

Pedals: Get what feels good! Yes, people fall over with clipless alot, but it just seems like more often because you're reading a website where alot of the riders may be newer. Therefore, the posts are skewed towards the learning curve. Put a pair of pedals on your bike (I use the Look style as well, and they seem perfectly acceptable) and PRACTICE. It shouldn't take longer than a few rides before you're used to clipping in and out of those suckers. Don't be timid about it, the only way to learn how to do it is to DO IT. But make sure your pedals and shoes are compatible (in simpler speak... look at the number of holes on the bottom of the shoes. Match them up to your pedals. There are two types of pedals/shoe systems. Two holes and three holes. The road shoes tend to be three holes and the mtn. bike tend to be 2. There, isn't that simple?) Oh, and I hope you don't think I'm talking down to you here, but that's exactly how the guy at the shop explained it to me when I was confused about the difference.

Wheels: don't worry about it! Get the kind that come with the bike, and odds are they will be perfectly serviceable (especially if you get a half decent bike). At a later point you can always upgrade anyway.