Hi all,

I am so excited, my Dad came to me this morning and said, "Hey, wanna go to the bike shop?" I thought this was odd seeing as how he doesn't bike.... but oh well, I was in. So I hop in the car and we drive there. I have been there many times by my self, so I walk in and say hi to everyone that works there. My dad goes straight over to the bike pants, I have been bugging him about it for some time now. He says which ones do you want. I was shocked, I wounded up getting the cannondale 6 ply, an extra $25 bucks for 8 ply didn't seem worth it. Then he goes.... where are the pedals. I was about to die right there. So we looked at pedals and I wound up getting the Look A5.1's in red, they match my bike. So my questions for you are :

What are your opinions on the Look A5.1's?

and

Was 8 ply really worth the extra $25?


P.S. I get hand me down shoes from a rider I met on Monday. I am so excited to use clipless.

Daniel

very cool dad ya have there!

8 ply or 8 panel? Ply sounds like a layering/thickness thing that I'm not familiar with. Panels conform to you, but for me, that's less of an issue than the chamois. If the shorts are comfortable, don't chaffe or numb, then you scored.

Kudos to Dad. I assume you are still in school? If you pay him back with some really good grades, Santa might just leave a whole new bike under the tree for Christmas.

6 panel or 8 panel is a matter of fit and taste, sounds like you did really well considering it was all a gift. Your dad sounds like he is really supportive of you riding, so it's all good Who's your daddy? Well, umm, these days I'm my daddy, 'cus everything I buy comes out of my pocket Sooo, all things considered, you couldn't go wrong (and didn't!). Sounds like you have a cool dad.

Have fun

Yes, I am in school. I am 16 and I have a great oppurtunity by being able to start a nursing program so I can graduate as a LPN, and then that also counts as my first year of college. He has already said today to look at what wheels I would want. Mine are to big for my frame, don't match, and are heavy. And then he said take a look at frames also. I am so happy, I must of done something right.


Daniel

Well whatever it is you did right, keep doing it!

Although I prefer a brand other than Look, those pedals will be excellent. (I have ridden Looks, but hate that eventual squeaking.) And as you said, they match your bike!

8-ply vs. 6-ply? I have always found the 8s more comfortable. I've also found them to fit better. Maybe it's because there's nowhere that the Lycra is too greatly stretched. They also seem to last a good deal longer than 6s. IMHO, paying the extra $25 for a *high-quality* 8-panel is worth the extra money. I have 8s that are still in great shape after 5+ years. The one pair of 6s I have aren't in great shape. (That I have only one pair of 6s seems telling. I didn't know that until I checked to answer your question.) But, it could also be the brand that makes the difference. I have found buying cheap shorts is a waste of money. (I'll *never* buy another pair of Performance shorts.) In cheaper ones, the elasticity tends to go quickly and the shorts won't hold their form as well.

But none of that matters right now. You have new shorts and pedals. Ride!

(Oh, one more thing. If that's the only pair of shorts you have, be absolutely certain to wash them after each ride. *NEVER* ride in dirty shorts. You want to do your best to avoid saddle sores. If fact, you might ask your dad to use that $25 you saved and apply it to another pair of 6-panels. It's tough getting by with only a single pair.)

Score one for you. Now, to be nice to your dad and show him that you are thinking of HIM, make sure that whatever he buys for you in the future is totally discounted. Dad will buy you more if he knows you are a smart shopper and saving him money.

The 5.1's are great and as long as the 6 panel doesn't chafe, you're set.

55/Rad

the c'dale shorts tend to run a bit small. but the 6 panel's are great. and the A5.1's are nice.