Pilot 5.2 WSD spa or Ruby Expert or....

Hi,

I wonder if anyone has input on the differences in the Pilot 5.2 WSD spa versus the Specialized Ruby Expert. They are becoming my top two choices today. :) Feel? Ride? Glaring pros or cons?

FYI:I read with great interest the thread about the woman who was deciding between the Ruby Pro and the Comp.

I'm new to cycling, interested in carbon, tried a number of bikes, think I want a triple for the hills around where I live, want comfort with flexibility to adjust things if I want a more aggressive posture at some very distant time, and want to like the looks of my bike. Budget: $2500 to $3000ish plus accessories. I am of average build at 5'5" and slender. Seem to fit bikes in the 49, 50, 51 cm range.

In my search I've been on the Pilot, the Ruby, a Roubaix (sp?), a Pinerello, a Wilier Mortiolo, Look (out of price range), an Ibis, Trek Madone 5.2 WSD, Scott Contessa and a few aluminum bikes that told me I want carbon.

I still have a fondness for the Wilier but wonder if I might be well served to stay with a bike built for comfort like the Pilot or geared for women and upright like the Ruby (and Pilot). I am OK about black bikes but could live without one since my mountain bike is black. Not a deal breaker though.

Any other bikes out there I really should want to try? Being in the SF Bay Area, one could visit a different bike shop everyday of the week! There are a lot of choices. Have to admit that I'm getting option-weary but would give it one more go at new options if need be. Have I learned a lot!

Thanks in advance for your input.

Carol
Orinda

Nice ridng in Orinda!

Have you tried steel?

V.

I went with the Trek Madone 5.2 (56 cm) but not the women's specific design. I am 5'9" with a 34 inch inseam, and felt better on a slightly bigger bike, but I changed the stem out for an 80 mm, instead of the stock 100mm. I didn't care for the more upright feel of the Pilot and I felt squashed on any of the WSD bikes. This is my first roadbike, since I ride mainly mountain and got this for cross-training purposes. I did try several different rides and preferred the feel of full carbon fiber. Trek does an awesome job with carbon fiber, and their frames are guaranteed against defects for life. I also am happy that the Madone 5.2's and up are still manufactured in Wisconsin. I know fit is everything, that's the way it is on my mountainbikes, so that's going to be your final deciding factor based on your riding style.

I just recently received the 2007 Ruby Expert. I didn't think it could get any better after receiving my Dolce Comp in 2005. But I cannot believe the sweet ride the Ruby gives me. Then with the components as well as the upgrade in wheel set of the Expert model, I honestly cannot imagine a better ride.

My family primarily chooses Specialized bicycles as my dh believes component wise, we are getting better for the money. Specialized as most companies also offer life time guarantee of the frame from defects and does a great job with carbon.

I guess it would be best to ride whatever you are interested in and see what feels best to you.

JoAnn

Carol, you mentioned the Roubaix as one you tried, and I just got one of those. Only 35 miles on her so far (she's been pining for me while I've nursed a nasty cold!) but I'm very happy with the ride -- We moved me away from the WSD bikes because I felt too scrunched on them. I have the triple, since we have hills on top of hills here too, and even though so far, the hills I've been on have been fairly invisible, I'm noticing she's flattening those out admirably, and I'm looking forward to riding on my "challenge hill" for this season on her for the first time!

Karen in Boise

Carol, I ride a Trek Pilot 5.2 WSD. I love my bike. I had the stem and handlebars swapped out initially for a better fit. I've been riding outside all winter and logged in quite a few miles. The reason the Pilot suits me is because I have arthritis in my spine, along with two ruptured disks, so I wanted a WSD carbon bike with less of a crunched over posture. If I was younger and not pampering my back, I would have chosen the Madone.

I think color is important. It is important everywhere else in your life. For example, the walls in your home are probably not painted black with green stripes, or you don't go to work wearing purple plaid slacks with a green polka dot top. So when you get your bike, think about what colors really make you happy, and don't buy a bike until you find one with your colors on it.

Darcy

Since you live in CA you really should try to visit Rivendell or at least get a look at their bikes somewhere near you:
http://www.rivbike.com/home

Hi,

I want to thank you for your replies to my post. I've been busy trying bikes. I tried the Madrone again. I spent quite a bit of time on the Rivendell website. Very interesting. I hadn't considered steel. Their P.O. Box is in the same town as where I work. My curiosity is piqued but I need a bike soon and so will not take the time now to go further with Rivendell. Maybe when I am ready for the next bike...

Darcy, thanks for the pep talk about color and looks of a bike. Which brings me to the rest of my story. I tried a couple of more bikes this weekend: Cannondale Synapse and the Scott Contessa CR1 Pro. I like the looks of both of these bikes. This not-so-LBS that had the Scott, adjusted the Scott more precisely for me and it was a nice ride. It's the first time I got that feeling that I had finally found my bike. I think they are right that I will do better with a slightly shorter top tube length.

Of course, after having decided that I want a triple, the Scott only maybe comes in a triple in the unisex version (same frame size). The colors are more garish than the pleasantly understated WSD color scheme. They are going to give me a quote for swapping out the compact double for a triple. Unfortunately, this LBS is not in the habit of horse trading parts the way other shops do so I think it will cost some money.

As soon as 10 am rolls again, I'll call another shop that carries Scott to see what they can do for me. I read the post about the women who bought a Giant from Bike Nut in SF. They were willing to do the compact to triple switch without additional cost. That's great. I don't think I will be so lucky.

Anyway, it feels good to have finally found something I like in all the important categories. The Pilot 5.2 WSD is my fall back choice. It's a triple and very close to the dimensions of the Scott. Oh... and there is the Wilier too. It's got a slightly longer top tube length though. I'm getting close! Reading the threads here has been extremely helpful. Thanks.

Carol

Rivendell may have a bike in stock in your size. They are worth a call. They are great people to deal with. BTW for a Riv you'll probably get a 53 or 54. Their sizing is a little different. I'm about your height and I have a 53 Legolas and a 54 Rambouillet.

V.

Mmmmm Wilier - beautiful bikes.:)