I Took the Plunge! Purchased a Ruby Pro!

[Cyclesome]

I can't believe I did it! I have been thinking about owning a road bike for about a year now. I stared in the late 70's with a Shwinn road bike and rode it a little before starting a family. In 2003, I bought a Trek mountain bike, which I sold on Ebay when I bought my Cannondale hybrid. Riding my hybrid definitely gave me the ITCH! I lusted after a road bike. Last year, I visited a bike shop that spent about an hour trying me out on various road bikes, but I didn't buy one.

Yesterday, I took the plunge. After researching and calling around for the best price, we went back to get the best deal we could to the shop that gave us fantastic service. They had only one Ruby Pro in my size a 51 cm. I bought my 2007 Specialized Ruby Pro.

My husband bought a 2006 Specialized Elite Triple. We were able to buy both bikes using a TREK Card 12 months same as cash.

My bike fit perfectly. I felt like I was floating on air instead of riding a bike! They kept my bike to change the tape from white to black, add a SIgma wireless cyclocomputer and tune it up. Hubby's bike arriving tomorrow from another one of their stores. We pick up both bikes on Sunday.

Question:
I live in Western PA where the roads are pothole city with much reamining gravel tossed about from the winter. Should I have 25mm tires instead of 23mm to begin the process of learning to ride on out rough paved roads. Any advice would be most appreciated!

[Tri Girl]

Wooo hoooo!!!! Congrats on taking the plunge on your new ride!!!!!
Now where are the pictures?????

[rapid cycler]

Wow, not just a Ruby but the Pro model! When you take the plunge, you make a splash! Don't forget to post pics once you get her home…

[bikerHen]

WOW. :D Good for you! You're going to love your Ruby! I have the Expert and it's a real sweet bike.

Sounds like your western PA roads are just like my eastern WA roads. I would lean toward starting with 25's. I'm still riding over all kinda "stuff", had two flats last week, and pinging lots gravel out from under my tires every ride. :mad:

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!! bikerHen

[cosc]

Cyclesome, only thing better than 1 new bike is 2 new bikes and someone to share the fun with. Let us in on all your fun adventures with your bikes.

[Cyclesome]

Ain't she a beauty!

[songlady]

I love, Love, LOVE that black cherry!!!!

[Tri Girl]

WOWZER!!! She's beautiful! I hope you have many, many happy miles together (love that paint job!). Wheww woooo (that's me whistling).

[Starfish]

Is it possible for me to die of both envy and happiness for you at the same time!?! :D

BEAUTIFUL bike! Here's to many, many smokin' rides with your DH!

[Jo-n-NY]

Sorry I missed this post. Congratulations!!! I have the same bike, my dh surprised me in March. Yes it is like riding on air, I love it!!! I plan to change the white tape when it gets dirtier, but if I can I would like the silver tape that was on my Dolce. If not, the black on your bike looks great also.

I cannot answer your question about changing the wheel size, but I will say that both my husband and I love PA. When we have a get a way, that is usually where we are headed.

Wishing you much luck with your new ride and your husband also!!!

~ JoAnn

[GLC1968]

Wow, what a beautiful bike! Congratulations!!

[northstar]

That is a sweet ride! Congratulations!

[rij73]

That is SWEET!!! I can totally imagine how you're feeling right now. My first road bike is arriving one week from today!

[li10up]

I have the same bike! It is a great bike. I concur with Rapid Cycler...when you take the plunge... That's a high end bike for your first road bike...but if you know you've got the bug you might as well go for the gusto - otherwise you'd just be upgrading your entry level bike in a year. My poor Allez is just hanging on the bike rack feeling sad that the Ruby gets to go out all the time.

Congrats on your new bike...ride like the wind!

[Jiffer]

Congrats on the new Ruby. She's SUPER pretty! I love red. I also love PINK! My Baby is black and silver with pink accessories. (A picture below for your viewing pleasure.) I was also blessed to get a super sweet bike for my first one. A Cannondale CAAD9. Dh was talking about getting me a Ruby Pro or Expert, but found out what a deal we could get on the CAAD9 and couldn't pass it up. I'm so tall that I don't really need a woman specific bike, but she sure LOOKS woman specific! :D

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x230/JiffChick/CAAD%20Baby/P1000517.jpg

Congrats on your new beauty! Now go ride it! :D

[Starfish]

Another gorgeous bike! Oh, you ladies are killing me! :p

[batsheva]

love the pinked up cannondale and the cherry red ruby-pro-- i think i will have to 'pimp-up' my new bike - at the very least some velvet red handlebar tape....

[sundial]

It's sure tempting to upgrade to a new bike. You guys have some FAB bikes! :)