I just bought a 2007 Ruby Comp off Craigslist!

[channlluv]

I think I got a bargain - $1200. When I got her home, though, DH and I discovered lots of grit in the chain and gears, and it looks like they used actual grease to lube it. We've taken her apart and have cleaned each gear, and we've gone over her with soft cloths and degreaser, and DH is going to buy a new chain today, and a few other small parts that need replacing because there's just too much dirt and grit on them, but this time Thursday, I'll have a practically new bike!

The young woman who had her was dating a triathlete about two years ago, so her father bought her this bike and Sidi shoes, and a Cateye and really nice gear bag to go with it...apparently Daddy approved of the BF. Well, they didn't last, and she hasn't ridden the bike in quite some time, and she's in fashion design school up in LA and needs the cash for gas and tuition, plus the bike has some negative associations for her, I think, with the ex.

She's going to be beautiful when we get her all cleaned up. Woohooo!

Oh, and she came with speedplay pedals. I need to get shoes and cleats now. Any suggestions are appreciated on this. I have short, wide feet, just like the recent thread described, so I'm going to go back and read that, but I stopped by our Pearl Izumi outlet store (conveniently about five blocks away from where I bought the bike), and found some men's 41 Vagabond shoes. They're a tad long and a tad narrow for my feet, but not uncomfortable, and DH has warned me about bad shoe fit over long rides, as have you all on the board here, but they were on clearance for $42. I was thinking I'd use them as a learning shoe, to learn how to clip in and clip out, and then buy real shoes when I figure that out. Or would it be better to go find some shoes that really fit me and learn on them?

Roxy - pictures coming soon

P.S. The Cateye indicated the bike has 104 miles on it. If that's accurate and authentic, I think I got a really good deal. It's got a small scrape on the back right fork, like it scraped up against a concrete wall or something, and there was grease on the handlebar tape - the grease was a real mess - but other than that, not a scratch on it. I asked, and the girl said she'd never had a wreck on it or anything. I didn't see the scrape until I got home. It also has two different style tires on it - one a slick Roubaix, one all condition. DH is buying me new tires today, too. Gotta love his idea of romance.

[Cataboo]

That sounds like a great deal Roxy. I think you might be better off finding shoes that fit you - you might not like the vagabonds if you start doing longer rides.

[OakLeaf]

Oh yay! Great find! :)

[shootingstar]

I It also has two different style tires on it - one a slick Roubaix, one all condition. DH is buying me new tires today, too. Gotta love his idea of romance.

Hey, go for it. Well, read this any way you want. ;):D

[Tri Girl]

Wow- sounds like a great deal!!! I can't wait to see pictures of your new ride. You're going to LOVE that bike!!! :D

[kmehrzad]

I've got a Ruby comp myself and just love it. I'm sure you'll have many miles of enjoyment on it. Happy Riding!

[malkin]

Congrats on the nice new ride.

I think tires are very romantic, and brakes are slightly more romantic.

[lo123]

awesome! Wishing you many happy miles ahead.

[Miranda]

Woot Hoo! :)Congrats on the new bici. Can't wait to see the pics.:cool:

EDIT ADD: FWIW, I love Park Tools... and one thing I own is the chain cleaning tool... it ROCKS!
http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=8&item=CM%2D5

[fatbottomedgurl]

So I expect to be seeing you and Ruby at some SoCal tris next year!

[channlluv]

I'll be riding her for the tri on the 18th (the cycling leg), but to do others, I'm going to have to really work on my swimming and I'm going to have to take up actual running. I'm just about resolved to do that, because I'm losing weight, and there will be less poundage pounding on my joints.

Thanks for all the warm fuzzies. I really love this bike. And, alas, the brakes were fine when I bought her. I did pick up a Dura Ace chain today, though, and she'll have new tires tomorrow.

Roxy

[channlluv]

I've got a Ruby comp myself and just love it. I'm sure you'll have many miles of enjoyment on it. Happy Riding!

One of the reasons I decided to buy her was because of all the rave reviews Ruby comps have on these boards. Lots of people recommend them, and I figured $1200 was a great deal for a carbon bike.

I can hardly wait to actually get out on her. So far she's just a mechanics project on the bike stand in the kitchen.

Roxy

[JH-NV]

Good for you! That's encouraging.....:)

[Sadie]

I'm so jealous...enjoy your nice sweet ride...:)

[tprevost]

Congratulations on a great find! Looking forward to seeing pictures!!! :D

[Jo-n-NY]

luv my 07 Ruby Pro...looking forward to your first ride report.

I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

Ride Safe
~JoAnn

[Starfish]

This crowd could turn ugly if we don't see pictures soon... :p

[Tri Girl]

and it's Thursday- we need a ride report: STAT! :D

[Miranda]

lol... yea, posting you have a new bike on the forum is like throwing a steak into a pack of wild hungry dogs... everyone wants a piece of the action. The news of a new ride never gets old. We get a tiny piece of new bici vicariously that way:rolleyes:...

[Sadie]

I checked Craigslist, but of course nothing that sweet was available for me...:(

[bluejellybean]

loooove my ruby...you'll have fun with it!
(probably too busy riding to take a pic!!!) :)

[channlluv]

DH ordered a special new chain which is coming from the opposite side of the continent and may or may not be here on Saturday. Believe me, I can hardly wait myself. She's just a frame on a stand at the moment, sitting all alone in the kitchen. It's a big open room, half-kitchen/half-dining room, all vinyl flooring, and the dining room portion acts as my office and desk space for DD to do her homework, with a nice 5x5 bit of floorspace for the bike stand and make-do mechanics shop that DH has for all of our bikes. He's got tools all over the table - we eat in the living room. I have to push bike gear out of the way on the counter to wash dishes and prepare meals.

It's kind of a mess, really, but all of his friends are jealous that his wife lets him have a bike shop in the kitchen.

My friends are all jealous that I've got a husband who likes to keep my bike in tiptop shape.

I'm a little frustrated, though, that he insists on ordering parts from freakin' Katmandu - okay, New York - when I could get a perfectly good chain from the B&L down the street from where I work.

Oy.

Roxy

[jesvetmed]

Can't wait to hear how the maiden ride goes! What a score of a deal! ENJOY!

[Jen72]

I'm jealous! What a fantastic find! I can't wait to see the pictures.

[channlluv]

I finally got to ride my new bike this morning. DH and I took her to the lake for her inaugural run. Here she is, new chain fresh from New York, new handlebar tape, newly cleaned gears and frame. He also swapped out the stem and replaced the beat-up handlebar caps with shiny new ones. We still need to get new tires. Ride report follows.

[channlluv]

Now for the ride report. According to the Garmin 305 I inherited from DH (he got a 705), I rode the 7-mile lap (it was 8 on my Polar) in 30 minutes 53 seconds, about 5 minutes faster than I did it on my fastest lap on the mtb. I would have been under 30, but I had to dodge a toddler running wild on the path, and then a whole family strewn across the pathway right where I was making my big finish. Young kids stopped and squatting on the road while their parents adjusted bike seats or something. I couldn't tell.

At least I got some practice in emergency braking.

The bike felt great. It was so light! I was able to sprint and reached 19mph, average speed was 13.9 - a full 2mph faster than my mtb. I actually paced behind Blue Asian Guy for a few minutes. He's this guy, Asian, who always wears blue kit, and rides a blue bike, so DH and I have named him Blue Asian Guy.

I know I'll get faster - this was my first ride and I'm just learning the bike. She's awesome. I need to think of a good name for her.

Thanks, all, for the love, support, and encouragement.

DH wants me to share these numbers for those interested:

I went from a 100mm to 90mm with an 8 degree rise, and the chain is a SRAM PC-1090 !0 speed chain. He asked if you all were into numbers. I told him there are people here who'd know what he was talking about. I'm still learning and this stuff is still over my head, but my fitting rides got progressively better as he made changes, so it worked.

I did have trouble with my hands, though. Numbness and pain in my wrists. There will be some saddle adjustments, I think. He moved it down about a degree and forward a centameter and it helped. We're still working on the fit.

My shoulder held up well, too, but if I'd gone longer, it might have been painful afterward. I need to be careful of that injured tendon.

Peace, all!

Roxy

[Miranda]

Roxy... The bici looks awesome.:cool: Glad your DH got her built up for you to check her out.

[blackhillsbiker]

The bike looks amazing, and so do you! I love the big grin! Congrats to you and DH for all the hard work and patience, making the bike into something which will bring you joy and health. I wish you many happy (and safe) miles on her.

Deb

[ridenread]

You look so happy on your new bike. Congratulations and enjoy the journey!

[Tri Girl]

Beautiful bike and beautiful rider! :)
Congrats on your new ride!!!! You look so happy!

[tribogota]

What a pretty and cool bike. Hadn't thought I needed (wanted) a bike like that, but yours makes me wonder?
Does your husband have an available cyclist hetero brother????

[channlluv]

Gotta love Craigslist.

Other things I like about this bike:
- she fits in my Rav without taking off the front wheel
- she's a really pretty deep ocean blue
- I actually got some respect from the road bike people at the lake today, or maybe that was just my imagination, but it felt good all the same
- I feel like I'm really driving this machine - the mtb is heavy and feels more like something I'm just along for the ride with; the road bike - I'm more forward on this bike and I feel like I'm driving it
- This bike is one of the nicest things DH has done for me in a long, long time

Tribogota, (laughing) DH says sorry, but he's an only son. (Four older sisters - he's the baby.)

Roxy

[Starfish]

Great pics. You're right, you're gonna get faster, and I'll bet you can't even imagine right now all the things that you will be doing on that bike in the years to come. Enjoy!! :)

[PinkBike]

love that new-bike grin!! and your stats are excellent for your first ride on it!

now lets talk clipless . . . . .

[Owlie]

Ooh, very pretty bike. And you look so happy. :)

[Jo-n-NY]

very nice and congratulations along with wishing you much luck with her. We needed to replace my car last year and I got a Rav just for that reason, just roll the bike in and out without take off the front wheel.

Enjoy!!!

~ JoAnn