New Bike

[Dfrank7262]

Okay, I guess I'm thoroughly addicted now. Just gave myself a Christmas present of a 2014 Giant Defy Composite 2! Test rode several different brands, and loved the Giant, so I took the plunge. LOL

[thekarens]

Pic or it didn't happen!

J/K Congrats!

[Owlie]

Nice! Congrats!
(We do love pictures, though...hint, hint. )

[Dfrank7262]

I'll see what I can do today. Since I'm snowed/iced in, I should be able to get a picture. I need to consult "the rules", though, to make sure the presentation is correct. LOL

[Dfrank7262]

Forgive the clunky pedals. Still a bit of a chicken with clip-ins. Just wanted to get used to the new bike a bit before I put the clip-ins on it.

Why is the photo upside down? The original wasn't that way. Sorry. Not sure how to fix it.

[thekarens]

It's a beautiful bike! And don't worry about the pedals. But everyone uses clips

[Dfrank7262]

I have clips on my other bike, but it's a love/hate relationship that's in a hate phase right now. I just want to get a couple of good rides in, then I'll change the pedals out.

[Owlie]

I love the gray. Very sleek.
Don't worry about the pedals. You don't have to use clipless, and if you want to use them, you will eventually get the hang of them.

(I never got the hang of toe cages...)

[thekarens]

Lord, I hate auto correct. That should have read not everyone uses clips.

[nuliajuk]

Lord, I hate auto correct. That should have read not everyone uses clips.

I've always hated SPDs, even after using them for years. This year I replaced the SPDs on my touring bike with pin platform pedals and am much happier with them for the urban riding that I mainly use this bike for. On the road bike, I'm happy with Look Keo - much easier to get in and out of than SPD, for me at least.

[thekarens]

I use pinned platforms on my mtb, speedplay on my road bike and regular platforms on my cruiser so there's no "right" answer.

[Jolt]

I think a lot depends on what you're using the bike for, as well as what you're comfortable with. For example, on a bike that you'll be using for a lot of urban riding, you probably don't want your feet attached to the pedals because you will be doing a lot of stop and go. For long rides without many stops, a lot of people swear by clipless...but then you have to have special shoes that aren't always so good to walk in and if you do have to stop suddenly for some reason, clipping out is one more thing you have to think about. (In case you can't tell, I'm one who prefers to ride with flat pedals and sneakers...just bought a bike off Craigslist that had toe cages and the first thing I did was get those off it after a somewhat nerve-racking test ride in downtown Portland.) You can always start with one thing and switch later.