I have been lurking around reading avidly and voraciously everyhthing I
could find on recumbents and I finally took the plunge today! I can
feel my lower back thanking me already! lol. Ended up getting a '05
Strada which was new..actually going into it thought I would get
the '07 Giro 26 but I couldnt pass up the '05 Strada...got if for
$1350 and it has better component set (SRAM X-9 vs X-7) and a better
wheelset. The performance benefits will suite me fine as all my riding
is road, and I want to increase my distance and eventually do some
centuries on it. The only thing I think the '07 Giro might have had on
it was the disc brakes.

Gotta admit the test ride thing didn't work out well for me at bike
shop...I went to rapid transit cycles in Chicago and the extent of area
to test ride was an alley...kind of freaked me out when I would start
and have the newbie 'bent wobble towards a dumpster...so went through
several fits and starts...got a little frustrated / emberrassed (altho
gotta say the people / service at Rapid Transit are awesome and
encouraging..highly recomend)....but finally just said screw it and
bought it. Figured I am a fit / reasonably atheltic person who logs
100+ miles / week ...i should be able to figure it out just needeed
some space and some "alone time". Got back home to SW Michigan and
took it to a nice big empty school parking lot for some practice..got
going the first time I tried and did a lot of pratice on starting /
stoppping and figure eights...all i can say is awesome! I love the
feel of the bike and the position...defintely a different experience
and method than my road / mtn bikes but once I started getting the hang
of it loved the feel of the turning / cornering. I am soooo looking
forward to putting some miles on this bike....since I have gotten back
into biking for fitness it seems I have a chronic sore back (of course
I probably never really rest it like I should). I really think this
bike is going to be a godsend for me and allow me to do more miles in
much greater comfort.

Ok..sorry to ramble...but here are my couple questions..mostly about
accesorizing....I had them put on the Bacchetta rack but that was only
accessorizing so far.

I am going to do a trunk pack for repair kit/ mini pump / hydration
bladder...misc stuff....but was wondering thoughts on computers and
clipless pedals.

Computers: Do wireless work or is the range too far? Also an
recomendation on computer? dont need anything complicated. Also any
issues with mounting cadence sensors if i decide to get one with
cadence? Eventually I am still thinking of getting the Garmin GPS
computer..that seems like some awesome technology with elevation and
ability to download ride data into computer...definitely would assist /
enable my obsession with performance metrics!...but due to $ will prob
wait awhile.

Pedals: Once I get a little more comfortable with bike defintely
inclined to go the clipless pedal route...I am assuming there are no
special challenges / consideration on a 'bent over a DF re
clipless...is there? I am thinking of going with a SPD / MTB shoe
instead of a road shoe....have Look pedals on road bike but am thinking
of trying to get some shoes that are a little more practical to walk
around in...hence the thought of doing a spd / mtb style....anyone have
any great thoughts on clipless pedals? have heard crank brothers
eggbeaters are nice and the 4 sided entry thing on it would prob make
starting / clipping in easier....but was wodnering what pedals other
use / recomend.

Thanks in advance for your comments / suggestions...as well as for all
the historical posts and info on the group.