Specialized Ruby anyone?

[dabunnytoo]

I'm getting a new bike. Woo Hoo! I'm looking at the Ruby but I know nothing about bikes, really. Is this a good one? I'm training for a triathlon and the bike I have is so uncomfortable that I'm miserable on it. I went to the bike shop and the guy said the specialized line of bikes for women are great. I couldn't ride it yesteday because I had my 5 year old with me but am going back today.

Anyone have any pros/cons for this bike?

Thanks in advance,
Jelaine

[Jo-n-NY]

I have a Specialized Ruby Pro. I absolutely love the bike. I had 2005 Dolce Comp which I also loved riding. Both bikes are very responsive, handle the road great and fit me like a glove. The only reason I got the Ruby was because I wanted something more forgiving on not so great roads. With the carbon I found I do not "kerplunk" over bumpy roads.

All the road bikes in my family are by Specialized as my husband believes they make a great bike and get the most in components for your money. I can honestly say you can not go wrong with the brand. This is my/our opinion anyway.

~ JoAnn

[catherinetnc]

I have the Ruby Expert. It is a great bike! I had also tried the Dolce and liked it as well.

It is a carbon frame bike and smooth - but not nearly as smooth as my old LeMond Zurich steel bike. It is much faster and fits better, though.

Good luck deciding - not an easy task!

Catherine

[li10up]

I recently got the Ruby Pro. It is one sweet bike. It's a little on the expensive side so you might want to consider the Ruby Expert. It's a really good bike too...either way I don't think you can go wrong.

[dabunnytoo]

The one I'm looking at is the Ruby Expert Triple, I think. Yesterday when I went to the LBS I didn't have any idea I was even getting a bike; so, I hadn't done any research. Based on price, I'm assuming it's an expert since it's $2,900. Was this model new for 2006? Are the 2007 models out?

It is one BEAUTIFUL bike. It just looks fast. I can't wait to try it out. I'm so excited!!!!

Has anyone tried the Specialized tri shoe? I didn't try it on yesterday, either and have no idea what kind of clips to try. Maybe I'll just get the bike and get used to it and then try clips.

I'm not usually an impulse buyer when it comes to big purchases but I suddenly have BIKE FEVER!

Jelaine

[kaybee]

I bought a Ruby Comp last year. Love the ride; the carbon really seems to smooth out the bumps.

KB

[Jo-n-NY]

The one I'm looking at is the Ruby Expert Triple, I think. Yesterday when I went to the LBS I didn't have any idea I was even getting a bike; so, I hadn't done any research. Based on price, I'm assuming it's an expert since it's $2,900. Was this model new for 2006? Are the 2007 models out?

It is one BEAUTIFUL bike. It just looks fast. I can't wait to try it out. I'm so excited!!!!

Has anyone tried the Specialized tri shoe? I didn't try it on yesterday, either and have no idea what kind of clips to try. Maybe I'll just get the bike and get used to it and then try clips.

I'm not usually an impulse buyer when it comes to big purchases but I suddenly have BIKE FEVER!


Jelaine


The 2007 are out since I believe last August. What color is it. This years Ruby Expert is Carbon/Silver. I do not remember what color it was for 2006. By now most companies probably have limited supply of 2007 models. If I am not correct with this info, anyone, please feel free to correct me.

LOL...it doesn't take much to get bike fever :) Wait until you actually get your bike!!!!!

~ JoAnn

[gnat23]

I've done test rides of both the Expert and the Pro. I didn't notice much difference in the feel between the two when I was out on the short ride (but the gearheads go on and on and on about the components and slightly-lighter frame and such), but both felt utterly amazing. I myself am saving up and will likely spring for a Pro as soon as I can!

-- gnat!

[Kano]

I have the Roubaix Elite -- "mens" or "unisex" version of the Ruby, I understood. I was looking at the Dolce as my first road bike and loved the ride, but she was a bit crowded, I guess. I followed her up by trying the Allez and was happy with the fit, but then there was the Roubaix, last year's or maybe the year before model, and she had the triple I felt was important, along with a GREAT price, and all the rest of the stuff that was especially good about her (components were better than on either of the others, and the price was darned close to the same!!)

So, if you find that the fit's a bit snug, you might give that model a try!

Karen in Boise

[Nokomis]

I'll be test riding one tomorrow. And since I looked at it in the shop yesterday, I've had the "Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby... Do ya do ya do ya do ya?!" song in my head :D

[dabunnytoo]

Well, I rode the Ruby expert today! It was so different from the bike I'm riding now that it felt very awkward at first. It started to feel better after a few turns around the parking lot. But then the bike guy and my husband both said it was too small for me. It is a 54. I test rode a 56 but it was a Dolce. I'm such a novice I can't tell which bike fits me better. My husband and the bike guy both said the bigger bike; so, I guess the bigger bike it is. BUT they don't HAVE a 56. It certainly did go fast VVVRRRRRROOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!!

Jelaine

[Jo-n-NY]

If you go on the Specialized site and bring up the specs of both the Dolce and Ruby you can see if they make both bikes in the same cm for the top tube and the tube under the seat post the same.

However, I guess the bike guy should have been able to tell you that. The question is, how did they feel to you?

~ JoAnn

[dabunnytoo]

I did feel better on the bigger bike, but I wasn't sure if it more a matter of being used to the bike or the fit. The bike guy is on the UT Austin college team and seemed pretty knowledgeable. My husband has been biking for a long time, although he said he's no expert on fit. He said he trusted the bike guy. There was a woman there who is my height, though, and she said she was between bikes as well and found the 54 to fit better. It looks like it's going to be a moot point anyway. I don't think they're going to be able to find a 56. Looks like I'll have to wait for 2008.

Jelaine

[Aggie_Ama]

DaBunny- Are you in Austin? Just curious if you are at Bicycle Sport Shop? They are a huge Specialized Dealer and they just did a fabulous bike fit for me.

[dabunnytoo]

Amanda,

I'm in The Woodlands, a suburb of Houston. I guess someone else in Houston might have one, but I'd really like to support my local shop, if possible.

What bike did you get? Did you try different kinds? I saw a Scott on line that I liked the look of it and it seemed to have similar components to the Ruby and about the same price. I might test ride that one, too.

Jelaine

[Aggie_Ama]

Oh, I guess the cycling guy is home for the summer! I have a 2007 Cannondale Synapse Carbon. When I took it for the fitting the girl commented that it was a similar geometry to the Ruby.

The Cannondale was my second bike and I new what I was looking for in a feeling, so I didn't try anything else because I loved the Cannondale. I SHOULD have though. The Ruby Expert was the other bike I was strongly considering based on the components and reputation. Good luck!

[li10up]

The 2007 Cannondale Synapse Carbon is one sweet bike too! A friend of mine got one. I picked it up and I knew right then and there I was getting rid of my Allez and getting a carbon bike. It was SO much lighter! From what I recall the Cannondale had higher end components on it than the Ruby Pro for quite a bit less...but I couldn't have the same bike as my friend's now could I? ;)

[Nokomis]

I just test rode the Ruby Comp - first all carbon that I've been on & was surprised at how much road noise transfered thru the bike. Was expecting to be won over by carbon, but wasn't. Also tried a Felt Z65 and That felt like butter.

[dabunnytoo]

Does anyone know what size bike a 5' 6" woman would normally ride? The guy yesterday told me the 54 was too small for me and that he would see if he could get a 56. Today the shop owner called me and said that for my height a 56 is way too big. He said his wife is 5' 9" and rides the 54. Now I don't know what to think. Is he just trying to sell me the bike he has available or was the other guy wrong? I'm so confused:confused:

Jelaine

[Nokomis]

It'll help to get a paid-for bike fit done where they take all your measurements... not just eyeballing you & seeing if the stand over height 'looks good.' Short of that, riding both & feeling what works would be a start.

I'm 5'8 and my Ruby test ride was a 56 - but I also know my seat height should be 28. I wouldn't be comfortable going down a size.

[cosc]

Your leg length-upper body can vary a lot with same height individuals, so it would be a good idea to have a fit test. Try out bikes at other LBC even if you don't plan on buying from them. It will give you a better reference point to know good fit from bad.Try not to let your lbc make the choice(size) for you. I know it is hard to resist the new bike now syndrome but be very sure it is the best fit and bike for you. Have fun shopping!

[Aggie_Ama]

I would be hesistant to go with the shop owner's opinion based on height. His wife may not be as leggy or have a longer torso, etc...

I am 5'2" and am not built like every woman who is 5'2". The other guy said the 54 seemed too small, I would trust his opinion more because he was there! After having a Serotta fitter adjust my bike, I am convinced they know their stuff. Maybe the LBS has someone who has been to the Serotta class? As much as you want to support the LBS, don't let them talk you into a bike that doesn't fit. I wanted to support the shop I had been using for years and ended up with a half-a** fit. Ironically, this is the same guy who fit my first road bike perfectly. Okay, off the soap box.

[dabunnytoo]

Thank you all so much!

I have called another bike store that has both a 54 and a 56 in the Pro; so, I'm going to go out there and ride them both.

Here I rode an Expert 54 and a Dolce 57. It was hard to compare the two.

I am trying really hard to resist Bike Fever, but it isn't easy.

Jelaine

[Aggie_Ama]

Oh the 2007 Pro is one of the hottest looking carbon bikes I have seen. I LOVE my frame, but if I could have afforded the Pro it would have been a hard choice. Have fun test riding!

[northstar]

Hi!

Have you looked at any other bikes? The Ruby is absolutely fantastic...but don't limit yourself. There are lots of carbon fiber bikes out there...they're all going to fit differently and vary in price. I got a Trek 5000 this spring for less than $2K and love it. I think the components are comparable to the Ruby's.

You have LOTS of options! Don't focus in too early. I wasn't terribly interested in Treks when I started shopping and wound up with a bike that fits like a glove and rides like a dream!

Just my two cents. HAVE FUN!

[slinkedog]

I am 5' 7" and I ride a 54, so I guess it just depends. Get a professional fitting if you're not sure.

Happy shopping! :)

[orcoz]

Hubby and I just bought our first road bikes - been where you've been!!
I have the Dolce Elite. I loved the while & purple. Rode the Ruby and it was awesome - just too much $$ for our first bikes.
I'm 5'4", and am on the Medium frame (about a 52 I guess). One shop wanted me to get the Small Frame, another said I could even go to the Large. I was most comfy on the medium, so that's what we bought.
My best advice is to be patient, ride a lot of bikes, and go with the one you love.

[dabunnytoo]

Well, I did it! I bought an Expert in a 54!!!! I got cleats, too!!! I was a little nervous about clipping in and out but so far so good. By the time I got my bike home today it was too late to ride very much but I am really looking forward to my ride in the morning!! I LOVE MY NEW BIKE!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!

Oh, and did I say WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!

VVVVVRRRRROOOOOMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!

Thank you all so much for your input. I really appreciate it.

Jelaine

[JanB]

Yippeee! Yahooo! Woopeee! I have a Ruby Expert and I love love love my Ruby. Congrats and pics when you can. :)

[northstar]

Congratulations! Happy riding! :D