Specialized Ruby Expert

[babynoahsmom]

I need advice. I currently ride a Specialized Dolce elite. I am considering buying a Specialized Ruby Expert. I like to ride, but am not hardcore. I have three kids and time is a factor. Is it worth the upgrade? Will I ride more? Would love to hear some thoughts from some more experienced riders. Thanks!

[Kiwi Stoker]

OK I am assuming the Dolce fits you OK and you are not thinking of upgrading because it doesn't.

IMO the answer would be No.
I have ridden aluminium and carbon bikes, however my AL bike was a hybrid (and was heavy) and my carbon was a Ruby (actually half the weight). The Dolce isn't hugely different to the Ruby.

There isn't a huge difference in fit, riding style or weight, so you are not going to get a huge speed advantage. Yes the ride will be a bit more forgiving but it's not an overwhelming factor.

Riding is really how you feel on a bike and how much the rider does or improves. If you reasons for upgrading are to go faster, well to be honest you really need to ride more to do that. A new carbon bike probably isn't going to help that much.

I think that to ride more, it would be more of a committment issue for you to work out, eg getting up earlier and going for a ride, finding child care, joining a cycling group etc. I don't think having a more expensive carbon bike will make you ride more- it sounds like it could be more stressful as you will make yourself feel guilty that you are NOT riding it as often as you feel you should.

However I'm hugely impressed that you DO ride with 3 children. The number of people who have left my cycling club after they have a baby is huge and I don't ever see them again which is sad...

[bunny_ninja]

Hmmm... tough call. I was looking at a Dolce... ended up with Ruby Comp. i love my bike. I get warm fuzzies when I think of it.

if your Dolce is a good fit, then I don't see a huge reason to upgrade. I am too lazy to compare the geometry between the two to know if they are different.

I don't know that you will feel the difference between Tiagra versus Ultegra (for example). Has anything dramatic happened to your Dolce (crashes, crummy weather, etc)?

My bike with everything attached, is 20lbs. When I carry more (laptop, work clothing), I just consider it 'more calorie burn' and good training. :)

Anyway... I am leaning towards 'don't upgrade' ... unless you want to give yourself a big gift and you can easily sell your Dolce. :)

[MyRubyE]

I tested both the Specialized Dolce Elite and the Ruby and I liked them both equally. I ended up purchasing the Ruby because the carbon is less forgiving; but to tell you the truth it's not a major difference. If I had purchased the Dolce I think I would have been just as happy.

Keep on riding:)

[babynoahsmom]

These are some very good points. Here is the deal. My Dolce fits fine. I love her. I walked into the bike store one day and saw the Ruby frame hanging up in the rafters. No wheels, just hanging there. She has haunted my dreams. They still have her and have not managed to sell her yet. It is some promo package or something. It retails for 3800, but I can get her for $2400 with wheels. They will give me 700 trade in on the Dolce. I have her test riding her right now. I went out tonight and rode 15 miles on her. I am going to take the DOlce out tomorrow night and ride the same route so I can compare. She does ride some smoother and does shift smoother. As for riding early, I have a husband that gets up each morning and rides with his gang so thats not gonna happen. I always tell people. I have children, he has a life. (He is a really good guy, I am not complaining.) He rides a Trek Madone BTW. Maybe I have bike envy? There is just something about this particular bike. I haven't researched any other carbons and figure if I don't trade up I will just keep my DOlce for a while. Decisions, decisions. Did I mention that on top of everything else I am a plus size rider. Whenever I go to events, I always get those "What the hell are you doing her looks." Still I ride and I do finish, so I figure that's one point in my favor.

[tzvia]

Tough call. Yes the Ruby will ride smoother, aluminum is less forgiving. It has a better component spec. Yes it weighs a few pounds less. I would say, that if you test rode it and it felt better- enough so that maybe you would ride it more or enjoy the ride more and be happier with it, it might be worth the upgrade. These things, only you could qualify/quantify. The differences are not earth shattering. They are subtle. But when I test rode the Dolce and the Ruby (own a Ruby Expert), and a few other bikes, something made me keep coming back to the Ruby. My price range was Dolce, but my heart said Ruby. It just felt better and I reworked my finances so I could own it.

You know, we all make compromises in our lives to juggle our needs and wants and responsibilities. Sometimes, good enough is good enough and we make do. If you are happy with the Dolce (and it sounds like you are) maybe you should stick with it. But if you ride that Ruby, and it's like lightning striking and birds singing and angels winging along side and you really want it, go for it. Yep. Tough call.

[abejita]

Hmmm...i don't know. If the bike is haunting your dreams, I would go for it!

[babynoahsmom]

I am leaning toward not at this time. I will take the Dolce out tonight and see how that goes. You guys have been a great help. I think this is a case of want versus need at this time. That being said when I take her back if they offer me a deal I can't refuse..........I will let ya'll know!

[ms1]

Here's another perspective. I have 2 kids and I work, so in the limited time that I have to ride (a few hours per week, but I'm consistent) , I want to ride what makes me happy.

So, bottom line, if it would make you happy and you can afford it, buy it (of course after you test ride and are sure you like the Ruby better than what you have).

I bought a Trek Madone 4.5 wsd last fall after a ton of test riding and love it. The carbon is much smoother. I also test rode the Ruby Expert and the ride was great, but the fit wasn't quite right for me. But, I know the price for the one you found is a great deal.

[oph4887]

These are some very good points. Here is the deal. My Dolce fits fine. I love her. I walked into the bike store one day and saw the Ruby frame hanging up in the rafters. No wheels, just hanging there. She has haunted my dreams. They still have her and have not managed to sell her yet. It is some promo package or something. It retails for 3800, but I can get her for $2400 with wheels. They will give me 700 trade in on the Dolce. I have her test riding her right now. I went out tonight and rode 15 miles on her. I am going to take the DOlce out tomorrow night and ride the same route so I can compare. She does ride some smoother and does shift smoother. As for riding early, I have a husband that gets up each morning and rides with his gang so thats not gonna happen. I always tell people. I have children, he has a life. (He is a really good guy, I am not complaining.) He rides a Trek Madone BTW. Maybe I have bike envy? There is just something about this particular bike. I haven't researched any other carbons and figure if I don't trade up I will just keep my DOlce for a while. Decisions, decisions. Did I mention that on top of everything else I am a plus size rider. Whenever I go to events, I always get those "What the hell are you doing her looks." Still I ride and I do finish, so I figure that's one point in my favor.
Would you let me know where in Arkansas - I ride a Specialized Dolce Comp 2005 - looking to upgrade to all carbon. There isn't a place in Memphis that carries the bike and I would really like to try it out before purchasing.
Thanks

[TrekTheKaty]

Well? What happened? I'm also trying to justify an upgrade. I convinced my husband that if I bought a Ruby, I would get a compact double. Then I would keep my triple (Shimano 105) for the hillier rides and I'd get to upgrade to Ultegra. (He rides ultegra, but didn't think I needed the upgrade. Smooth shifting is my nemesis.)