Frank Krygowski wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::
::: Well, Thursday I had cleats put in my shoes and I switched over to
::: clipless pedals.
::
:: [tales of tribulation trimmed]
::
:: Hmmm.
::
:: First, I agree that you don't need to be riding those wheels. At
:: your weight (which is really not tremendous) I think you'd be better
:: off in a more traditional wheel. 32 or 36 stainless steel spokes.
:: I'm not fond
:: of the super-lightweight stuff that works only if conditions are
:: ideal.

Okay, noted...

::
:: You can always keep these wheels for when you enter your first road
:: race.
::

Funny...I've not even though about racing, even though I enjoy watching it
on the tube. My goals are to do the century rides and build up to decent
speed, and to keep the weight off (I've lost 130 lbs). At 46, I'm just not
too interested in racing, but I would like to be competitive...hmm...maybe
I'll have to race to be competitive....dang!

::
:: Second, I agree with Dan that some tools would have saved you. Get a
:: multi-tool, or at _least_ a 4mm, 5mm, & 6mm allen wrench to carry
:: with
:: you. (You do carry tire tools, patch kit, pump, etc, right?)

Yes...with a CO2 pump, which I have not used, BTW. I do have a set of allen
wrenches, but I didn't think to loosen the brake.

I've
:: come across other cyclists who had your exact experience with the
:: rear spoke,
:: and they made it to the next town only because I showed them how to
:: loosen their brake.

I'll learn!

::
:: A spoke wrench could have saved you too, but practice at home first
:: on a junk wheel. Spoke wrenches can be dangerous in the wrong
:: hands. I once knew a guy who started with a wheel that was a bit
:: out of true, and
:: ended up with a potato chip.

I hear ya..I was just looking at some on the performance website. I'm not
sure what size to get...

::
::
:: Third, is there a chance that you wouldn't have these problems if the
:: bike shop lady wasn't quite so hot? ;-) Maybe it's a subconscious
:: thing. Maybe you need a bike shop with a grumpy old male owner!

Naw...the hot lady is a saleperson (but an experienced mountain
bicycler...the mechanics are different people (they all are way into riding,
though). And the older, owner lady is the one with the "pushing in too high
a gear up hills" theory. Now, if she's feeding me hooey, I may have to
agree with needing a new LBS, but this is where i got the bike. They were
very helpful today in helping me get my bike back so I can fall some more
tomorrow am! I'm solo riding tomorrow.

::
::
:: Fourth: Don't worry, you'll get the un-clipping down pat. Or,
:: maybe, almost down pat. I have friends who still do that ten years
:: later, but
:: by now they've got calluses on the parts that hit first, so it
:: doesn't bother them as much. ;-)

I do like to not fall...I give a better impression that i'm not a total
noob on the bike! My riding buddy was a bit put off on the entire notion of
clipless pedals when I fell the second time. He's about 49 or 50...

Great comments/suggestions from all of you!