Aughh! Done deal but curious your opinions

[carriesn]

Ive been lurking here and decided to join y'all :)

Its a done deal- the bike is home in my garage and definitely non-returnable so... but I just wanted to torture myself and hear your opinions on whether I made the right decision or not.

My LBS had a sale- I was set on the Dolce Comp but they were selling the Ruby Comp for only $300 more. The Ruby was a SWEET ride but the posture I had to assume was fine/good but not perfect. The posture I assumed on the Dolce was perfect. Stem is longer on the Dolce and not adjustable vertically on the Ruby. I kept alternating between both bikes, really wanting the Ruby for its handling and carbon frame (Im a tech geek so I like the upper end of stuff) but liking how I rode on the Dolce (more of a touring posture). After two hours, I finally decided to take the Dolce home because I'm just a recreational rider who recently got back to biking after losing 85 pounds (75 to go).

Did I make a mistake and should have taken the Ruby home? Would I have grown into the Ruby? Will I end up getting rid of my Dolce and going Ruby a couple of years later? Im just wondering... ARGH. :eek:

[mimitabby]

The Dolce is a good bike. Get on it and ride it. You might decide to buy a custom bike in 4 years, who knows. But in the meantime, love the one you're with.

welcome to TE!

[Geonz]

To me, fit is it. If it feels good, ride it!

You can add to your fleet later.

[aicabsolut]

Whatever you like best is the right decision.

It's not true about the Ruby's stem, though. Was it a PROset stem? Those have the ability to be adjusted in something like 30 angular increments. And most shops will swap out stems of equal value if you want to change length.

Everyone gets bitten by the upgrade bug ;). Plus, with additional weight loss and time on the bike, you may decide you want a more aggressive bike fit in the future. That can be accomplished somewhat with the Dolce, but you may want a more aggressive bike overall later on. If you think that's going to be a couple years down the road, then you're still getting a pretty good run out of the Dolce. The only hard part (potentially) will be to find another sweet deal on a Ruby later. Still, keep in mind that Specialized is always improving their carbon frames. Every couple of years, the new materials trickle down to the lower models. So in a couple of years, the Ruby comp will probably have a better quality frame than it does now for a very similar price point. Then again, if you *really* want to upgrade by then if you turn into a serious cyclist, you have a huge range of frames and components to choose from. If you never get there, that's ok too and is more proof that you made the right decision now.

[crazybikinchic]

If the Dolce was the more comfortable fit, you will want to ride it more than if you are uncomfortable. You have to be comfortable on the bike in order to ride long distances. I would have made the decision based on fit also.

[RoadRaven]

So Carrie... if you like the bike you have, you made the prefect choice...

If you find you still have a craving for a Ruby, then you should get yourself the Ruby as well...

Us TE-ers know that one bike is never REALLY enough

<<<bwahahahaha>>>

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It was right to get the bike that fits you more comfortably.
A couple of years from now you might want/need a totally different bike than what you want/need now, and no way of knowing what that will be. For your purposes now, you have just the right bike! :)

[F8th637]

Just to echo the ladies here I think you made the correct decision. You said the Dolce fit was better and I was worried for a minute you bought the Ruby. If the fit is good, you will like it. Enjoy it!

[carriesn]

Thanks for your input! I think I can now stop wondering "What if..." and just focus on my sweet Dolce. Gonna take her for a spin tomorrow morning. BTW the Zeros are really easy to learn (let's hope Murphy's Law won't take effect tmw!). I wanted the Frogs but the salesman convinced me to go with Zeros- see see what happens but they'r already easier than the LOOKs I had previously :)

:D

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2008/bikes/9082-10_d.jpg

[cyclinnewbie]

Pretty pretty pretty bike!

Congrats!

[Aquila]

Oooo, bike prOn! Pretty!

How could you even have doubts about it? Go out for a ride!!!

[rij73]

It's a beautiful bike, and I think it is good to go with your gut.

I will say, however, that comparing the numbers, the differences between the bikes are just two numbers:
1. The Dolce head tube is 1 cm longer. That can be replicated with a more high rise stem that can certainly be bought.
2. The chainstays on the Dolce are 1 cm longer. That makes for a longer wheelbase by 1 cm and a slightly more stable ride. Can't change that.

So, fit-wise, you could have duplicated the Dolce position easily on the Ruby, but you seem to just have been in love with the Dolce. Enjoy it!

[DDH]

Congratulations on the new bike and I'm sure you made the right choice.

Congratulations also on the weight loss and hope you have as much sucess with the rest that you are trying to lose.

I would like to know your secret.

[BurrOakBobcat]

Fit is first; you made a good choice. Enjoy that pretty thing!
Robin

[short cut sally]

If you felt more comfortable on the Dolce, you made the right choice. In a year or so, you can always get another bike and keep the Dolce for a spare:D.
One person can never have too many bikes

[jennrod12]

First of all, FIT is the most important thing, so you absolutely made the right decision.

Second of all, your body is going through a lot of changes and this will continue. When you are closer to your goal weight, you may find that you still love the Dolce, or you'd rather have the Ruby (what a nice "goal weight" present!) or you want something completely different than either one! Another reason why it was the right decision to go with what works for you now, since you don't know what will work in the future.

Third of all, you learn something from each bike you own. It's good to go with the less expensive bike if you don't have a lot of experience, because you will learn what you do and don't like about it and when you finally upgrade you can incorporate all those lessons.

Enjoy the heck out of your new ride! :D

Jenn

[sundial]

After two hours, I finally decided to take the Dolce home because I'm just a recreational rider who recently got back to biking after losing 85 pounds (75 to go).
That's FANTASTIC!! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS!

I think you did the right thing by going with the bike that is more comfortable. You're more likely to ride it if it is. :) It will give you an opportunity to get used to the new bike and how it handles and then maybe treat yourself to a Ruby when you reach your weight loss goal. :cool: