MR> Hmmmm I noticed a lot ads specify the spokes and the number of spokes, 
 MR> but I don't know squat about spokes. What am I supposed to look for for 
 MR> a 195 lb rider? 
Spokes are weight. The wheels are the most important part of the bike when 
looking at mass, because that's the most mobile weight... or, in other words, 
rotational inertia of the wheels becomes greater with the greater weight. 
Thus, the heavier the wheel, the more energy required to get the wheel moving 
- or moving faster. Also, the more energy required to get the wheel slower. 
Also creates more gyroscopic force, making the bike harder to turn, but this 
is minor.
Thus, if a spoke is made with a stronger material, it can be made lighter. If 
a spoke is strong enough, then a wheel can have fewer spokes. 
For example, when I get my new bike, I'll be going from 38 spokes to 32. 
 MR>     It would be easier and cheaper to "Just Say No to McDonald's" and 
 MR> take the pound and half of MY body! Might be good for me to BE lighter 
 MR> equipment, rather than the bike.  ;-D 
The way I had it explained to me was this - it doesn't matter as much how 
much you weigh when you lift a weight. If you're doing dumbell curls with a 
25Lb weight in your right arm, and a 20Lb weight in your left, one arm is 
going to tire faster than the other - not because of your weight, but because 
of the weight you're moving.
The bike is what you're moving, in this case. Road bikes, especially: the 
more you can take off the bike, the better.
--- Maximus/2 3.01
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