Fifty Plus (50+) - Bought new bikes today

My wife and I bought new bikes at the LBS today. We settled on Specialized Tricross Comps. We ride unpaved rail trails as well as roads and are more interested in efficiency than racing so we like the cross bikes. We have them fitted out with racks and light weight packs so we can carry a pile of sh** along. The Comp model has carbon forks and seat post and Shimano 105 gears. Felt great on the test rides compared to our old Specialized Crossroads.

Until we get used to the bikes we will not be using clips but I welcome suggestions on what would be a good clipless system to start out on. Neither of us has used clips. I think we would prefer shoes we can walk in.

Congratulations on the new bikes. Pictures, please! :)

Congratulations on the new bikes. We do need to see some pictures. I have Crank Brother Candy Cs on my bike and really like them. My shoes are touring shoes, which I would call a cross between road and mountain bike shoes. I can walk in them with no problem and the sole is very stiff.

I have 2 sisters that each bought that bike in the last year, they are both very happy with their choice. I have ridden one of then a small bit, and really liked how stable it felt, but still quick. Being able to go on and off road would also be a big plus. Yep, I probably better avoid this thread unless I really am ready to put one in my stable.

Hope you get many happy miles with your new rides. You do know, of course, that in terms of mechanical efficiency, there are very few machines as efficient as a road bike. However, once off the road they begin to drop drastically. Sounds like you and your wife made a good choice.

The Tricross bikes look like good, versatile bikes. Closer to what road bikes used to be before the age of specialization, but with updated technology.
SPD or Crank Bros. Eggbeater variants are the most popular choices for recessed cleat clipless pedals. Both work very well, as I am sure the other brands like Speedplay Frogs and Time ATAC. On my all purpose road bike I use Crank Bros. Smarty pedals.

Have fun with your new bikes and let us know how you like them.

OK. Here is an attempt to post a photo. I haven't done so on this forum before. My wife's bike won't arrive until Monday. When hers arrives I will take some better light balanced photos.

I will study up on the Crank Brothers BluesDawg -- thanks.

Hmm. That merely attached it. On another forum I use, attached JPGs display inline. Do I need to host the file on an external server to display the image in the text body? a la:
http://www.heffernans.org/gifs/DonBike.jpg