Riding time has been precious since we got Roxie, the 8 week old Golden Retriever puppy, on Saturday and I take it when I can get it. Might be a while before I can work in another 30+ miler. So, yeah, I flipped a little when found the busted spoke on my Kaitai Monday (the wheel should be ready tomorrow) and the clock was ticking. Then I grab the Reno, head out, turn around to head back and get a flat.

So, I got home and, yesterday, repatched the bad tube after swapping it out for a new tune and a set of Armadillos. While I was at it, I threw on a rear set of Kool-Stops. I got to take them out for a shakeout today. The tires are REALLY nice and the additional pressure -these run at 120psi versus the 100psi of the stock Bontragers- makes a difference in feel and handling, for sure. The Kool-Stops are just insanely good; I'll be throwing on a front set this weekend.

But, what's next? I head out today for an hour or so, get 5 miles from home and my left foot unclips. Well, the left has felt a little loose to me of late so I figure I'll just stop and tighten up a notch or two. Something feels wrong and I find a critical piece of the tension adjuster has fallen off. Somewhere. Now, I can't clip in my left shoe. I went back to find the missing piece but, of course, that's a fools errand. Fine. I bit the bullet, took the plunge and ordered up a set of THESE. No more foolin' around, these are real road pedals. I should have them on Friday. Just in time for Saturday

30 miler?

When are you going to get serious?



I know all about 8 week old Golden Retrievers, we had one 4 years ago. Now we have a 4 yr Golden. That puppy nearly chewed us out of house and home over the first 2 years. I ended up buying something like 20 chew toys & bones and distributed them all over the house.

The great God doG is cursing you for ignoring the puppy. Get a trailor, take the pup with you, and the troubles will vanish.

Yeah... I put my puppy's whole crate in the dog cart and took her out. And she's X-Large. She got lots of socialization, too. Who can resist a puppy in a cart?

I like my A520s. Not as much as my M520s but they look cooler. I'd recommend you set the spring tension to low for awhile.

First time I've heard of a serial no for a dogs name.

Mind you Onza's sounds better.

And the A520's do look cooler- I prefer the M520's for the double sided action- But already screwed the tension up (Once I found the screw)

Pics required of the Puppy and its new Chauffeur.

Well, sort of.

these are real road pedals.

Pikers! These are real road pedals.

Real road prices too...ouch.

That's a pretty good price on the Michelin Pro2 Race tires shown below

Actually, that's a real good price on the Look pedals too. I've seen them going for the full list in stores.

Here's some pedals for ya...

Those are real expensive road pedals.

I might go for these.

Yup, I guess paying that much for pedals is hard for this old goat to stomach. Probably worth it if you're rolling in money.

I don't care what everyone else says, these really are real pedals, really.

I have a pair of those and a pair of the Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL pedals in the garage and they'll never see one of my bikes again. I rode with them all last summer but I hated walking in them, they were harder to unclip in emergency mode and they resulted in the worse accident I've had on a bike in quite a few years. I thought it would be safer for these old bones if I went back to the SPD pedals.

Licensed Freds wear these. And they work well.

Wouldn't a real Fred be unlicensed?

The Feds started regulating us in 2004. Something to do with Homeland Security.

Did you say Golden Retriever puppy??? I want one... they are my favorite dog.

Enjoy your new pedals!

Maybe... but they wouldn't work with my current shoes. Yeah, yeah... I know...

Meanwhile, my real new pride & joy?

I have SPD's on all my bikes and find that the A520 are a pure pain in the B**T and the worst of all my SPD pedals.

With the platform, they are harder to clip in to because you can't feel where the clip is relative to the platform. They seem to always be turned the wrong way, and in no time they were all beat up on the "non-clip" side as a result of trying to start off from a stop and also from flipping them over to clip in. I bought them because I thought they would provide more foot support and I'm not sure that is true. Functionally I think they are way below the M520 because you can only clip in on one side.

They do look cool, though.

M324 is a good choice for a more casual commuter/around town bike or even a not-ridden-too-hard mountain bike.

Absolutely adorable!!!!!
(Does your camera have a setting for blue-eye?

Thanks... the only word we keep coming up with is precious, though she's got some demon in her for sure. Already.

Hmmmm a blue-eye setting... no, don't see one anywhere. Got a red-eye but no blue-eye
That shot was probably taken with the flash on "Auto", I'm guessing. Wonder what it "autoed" to?
I try not to use flash at all because her color is more true in natural light.

And, in fact the M324s are what I have on my Kaitai. I was going to get a set for my Reno as well but eneded up with the lighter -and obviously MUCH cheaper- store brand. Avoid Mike's Bikes if at all possible.
I almost though of getting a pair when the cheapos broke but I looked at 500+ grams for the 324s vs. 330 grams for the A520s. Since I already have some added weight from the Armadillos, I figured I'd shave a little off with the pedals. Besides, I wanted some true road pedals for the LeMond and the 520s have a nice platform... pedals are cheap, I can always swap 'em again later for a pair of double-sided or something.

Weight weenie!

Hey, don't worry... I more than make up the difference.