Ruby and dolce

[Palomino bet]

Hi! I've been lurking for a while now. Loved reading about everyone's favorite bikes. Actually helped me in deciding to get my vita elite! I'm in love with her but am considering doing some more serious road biking. I tried a 51 and a 54 dolce. The 54 fit fantastic once they flipped the handlebar stem over. The 51 felt cramped and actually hurt when I rode it. I'm currently trying to find a used one. I'm 5'6" tall without shoes.

I found an 09 ruby elite in my price range. And in a size 54. The current geometry listed on the specialized site makes the two sound nearly identical other than the standover height. Has that been everyone else's experience? Lbs did not have a ruby I could try.

Should I drive an hour away and try this ruby or should I steer clear? Is it too much bike for a beginner road cyclist?

[Palomino bet]

I've tried almost 3 times to post something, and it keeps saying it needs mod approval... and then it decided to work this time.

Thanks so much for the help and the guide. Silly ? - are you 5'7 with shoes on? Sounds like this bike could be perfect as long as it is in good condition.

Do you know how to find a bike group in my area? My fiance and I like to ride together, but sometimes I'm able to ride when he isn't and vice versa..

We will be meeting at a Wawa, no bike shops nearby that I know of.. I'll definitely go check out the youtube videos later too.

This is the actual bike:

http://www.bicyclebluebook.com/SearchListingDetail.aspx?id=15780&make=741&model=62041&year=2009

[Palomino bet]

Thank you for your help! Just curious - are you 5'7 with shoes or without? I checked out the guide, it was very helpful - and I will look on Youtube for more information as well on what to look for.

We are meeting at a wawa - no LBS nearby that I know of/can find. I will try to take my fiance with me.

How can I find a bike group nearby? We usually ride together, but sometimes one of us can't ride for one reason or another..

[Crankin]

Be careful of Meet Up rides. Around here, they have the tendancy to be poorly organized and unsafe. We had a few of our club rides posted on Meet Up a couple of years ago and it was a nightmare. People with broken bikes and no group riding skills.
Ask around at LBS's for local rides, women's rides, etc. Or get on line and do a search for local bike clubs and their schedules of rides. Just be careful of what kind of ride you go to... some bike clubs are very racing oriented, others are more social. Some say "no drop," but don't really mean it.

[Palomino bet]

Be careful of Meet Up rides. Around here, they have the tendancy to be poorly organized and unsafe. We had a few of our club rides posted on Meet Up a couple of years ago and it was a nightmare. People with broken bikes and no group riding skills.
Ask around at LBS's for local rides, women's rides, etc. Or get on line and do a search for local bike clubs and their schedules of rides. Just be careful of what kind of ride you go to... some bike clubs are very racing oriented, others are more social. Some say "no drop," but don't really mean it.

Well I don't have any group riding skills either. What do I need to do to learn?

[thekarens]

Well I don't have any group riding skills either. What do I need to do to learn?

I've taken both online and group classes from these guys
http://bikeleague.org/content/take-class

[Palomino bet]

I've taken both online and group classes from these guys
http://bikeleague.org/content/take-class

How do you take the online ones? I wound up joining the league.

[Palomino bet]

Saw the bike today. It looks like it's in decent condition. Some paint chips here and there. Both wheels seem a little out of true. The seat and pedals aren't original. He's firm on 850. I guess it's probably worth it but I'm a little hesitant as I'll wind up spending more after I buy it to fix things and get it the way I want it

[Fern]

It sounds like you could probably do better. There are plenty of used Rubys and Dolces out there.

[Palomino bet]

It sounds like you could probably do better. There are plenty of used Rubys and Dolces out there.

Thanks. I'll keep looking. I feel like I would have given $750 with no more questions asked.

And now to await a used Dolce or Ruby (preferably a Ruby) to show up on Craigslist.. :)

[Palomino bet]

Thanks. Any suggestions other than lbs, ebay or craigslist in order to find what I'm looking for?

[Fern]

What area do you live in? It seems there are always several of each model in the Boston area CL listings.

BTW, I have a 2009 Dolce Elite and am 5'6" as well. The 54 is perfect for me. If those are your target models, that should be your ideal size.

[Palomino bet]

What area do you live in? It seems there are always several of each model in the Boston area CL listings.

BTW, I have a 2009 Dolce Elite and am 5'6" as well. The 54 is perfect for me. If those are your target models, that should be your ideal size.

I'm in the Philly area. I definitely prefer the 54 size.. it fits great. I found one listed in NYC but that is a bit far even.

[Palomino bet]

What do you want to spend?



http://www.localbiketrader.com/ is another resource.

You might also call the local bike shops and see if they have any Ruby's or Dolce's on consignment. Maybe put your name on a list in case any come in. (Though most shops, IME, aren't good at follow-through!).

A lot of shops take trade-ins. That way, you could ensure the bike is in good condition, too.

Also, you might wait a couple of weeks, and make a new offer for the Specialized you looked at. Prices drop if bikes are not sold.

Craigslist bikes change frequently, and the good ones go fast, check often.

Thanks! I'll try calling lbs. What I spend honestly depends on the condition and how much it needs to be ridable. Probably no more than 1000.

[Palomino bet]

It's a good suggestion. I tried a fuji which felt horrible and then a trek which was OK. But the dolce felt great and when I tried the ruby.. I think I fell in love. I especially love the 105 shifting.

I'll think about trying the Cannondale. The ruby in nyc has low miles, original owner and at my budget level... Yes, I think I've been bit by the Ruby bug. :)

[Palomino bet]

So.... I found a Ruby Apex Compact (2012) essentially new, barely used at all... and got a great deal on it!

[ny biker]

Great!! Have fun with it!!

[thekarens]

So glad for you!!

Pictures, or it didn't happen!

This!☺

[Palomino bet]

17630

Just one for tonight... so tired! :):):) Thank you all for your help with my dilemma. I love her so much :)

[roo4]

Nice bike! Ride with joy.

[thekarens]

Very nice!

[Palomino bet]

So I did a 36 mile charity type ride today on my Vita Elite for the first time ever! I really, really enjoyed it! It was the Tour de Cure for diabetes. I actually want to find more of those types of rides to do.

And then... I took little Ruby out for a short 12 mile ride this evening... she is pretty darn nice, and I actually really enjoy the SRAM Apex shifters. I mean I really like them, they are so much easier for me to reach when in the drops than it was with the Shimano shifters I tried. She's just plain fun. I am not sure that I will take her out by myself... would almost prefer that my fiance is with me when I take her out, because I'm still a little nervous. But oh, how nice it was that literally, I shift my weight and she turns so easily. It's like riding a really well trained horse - without the inevitable buck of joy! Not sure how I feel about clipping in at this point... I'll probably just stay with flat pedals for now and consider it down the road.

I really need to get her to a LBS to have them check her over just to be safe. I would kill to ride her again tomorrow, but I have an all day commitment :( Sadness!

Thanks for reading!

[Kubla]

Congratulations on having the patience to wait and find "The One". May you have many safe and enjoyable miles together over the years. :)

[Lelani Carver]

Hooray for you, Palomino bet, and well done on your ride! We have a lot in common, I'm riding 40 miles in the local Tour de Cure on MY Vita Elite next Sunday.

Also a new Clipless pedal user, and the weather is keeping me from practicing. So far, one easy (more or less planned) fall for me.

The Ruby sounds nice, my DH is advocating for a road bike next and wants to hand-me-down his when he upgrades, but our LBS guru nixed that on size issues. We'll see

[Crankin]

+1 on nixing the hand me down, especially if you are not the same size. Sizing for road bikes really needs to be dialed in.

[Lelani Carver]

I'm taller than DH, and his frame is a bit small for him so he has an upgraded stem. When/if I graduate to a road bike, fit will need to be right.

[Palomino bet]

Hooray for you, Palomino bet, and well done on your ride! We have a lot in common, I'm riding 40 miles in the local Tour de Cure on MY Vita Elite next Sunday.

Also a new Clipless pedal user, and the weather is keeping me from practicing. So far, one easy (more or less planned) fall for me.

The Ruby sounds nice, my DH is advocating for a road bike next and wants to hand-me-down his when he upgrades, but our LBS guru nixed that on size issues. We'll see

Awesome!

Hooray. I want to find more people into biking locally.. too bad you are not in Philly :(