Mid range road bikes

[CAS]

Hi! I'm new to this site, and just love it that it's geared (no pun intended) for women! This being said, I am going to be in the market for a new road bike in a couple of months (I'm recovering from ankle reconstruction surgery). I am liking the Specialized Ruby Elite, but I noticed in the specs (2014 model), that the pedals that come standard with this model is a plastic platform.--when did this happen? In the past, mid range road bikes came with toe clips. I thought perhaps most cyclists switch out the pedals to clipless. Does anyone know why--or is my guess correct?

[Blueberry]

My understanding has been that they don't bother including pedals because most people will want clipless, and there is such a wide variety of preferences that most people would change them out anyway. Hence, not worth spending money on if you are a company trying to maximize components at a price point.

[Owlie]

Hi! I'm new to this site, and just love it that it's geared (no pun intended) for women! This being said, I am going to be in the market for a new road bike in a couple of months (I'm recovering from ankle reconstruction surgery). I am liking the Specialized Ruby Elite, but I noticed in the specs (2014 model), that the pedals that come standard with this model is a plastic platform.--when did this happen? In the past, mid range road bikes came with toe clips. I thought perhaps most cyclists switch out the pedals to clipless. Does anyone know why--or is my guess correct?

What Blueberry said. Most manufacturers don't even include pedals once the components go past entry level. I think they assume clipless at that point, and they'd rather put the money somewhere else because pedals are probably going to get switched out. Most shops, though, will have plastic platforms on the floor model to make getting it out the door for a test ride easier.

Good luck with the continued recovery!

[CAS]

Thank you, Owlie and Blueberry, I suspected this--but just wasn't certain. My last bike I purchased was in June 2009, but this was a flat bar road bike. It did come w/toe clips--but I ended up switching them out with clipless at the time of purchase.

[TigerMom]

My understanding has been that they don't bother including pedals because most people will want clipless, and there is such a wide variety of preferences that most people would change them out anyway. Hence, not worth spending money on if you are a company trying to maximize components at a price point.

I totally agree with Blueberry and Owlie. The pedals are not really worth anything since everyone changes them out, including myself. I am glad that you found that you like the Specialized Ruby Elite, since most of us don't know which bike to choose.
Hopefully, there will be a year end sale around the time you are ready to buy.

[CAS]

October is typically when the previous year's go on sale, as the new models will start arriving; at least at my lbs. I'm hoping I'll be out of the walking boot by then, and I can test ride and take advantage of the sale. I always research the heck out of anything that's important to me, and then narrow everything down. My neighbor has a 2010 Ruby, so, I've been picking her brain as well. I will also test ride the Trek Domane, but I'm leaning towards the Ruby.

[TrekDianna]

I love my Ruby. I rode her on Cycle Oregon last year.

[CAS]

I love my Ruby. I rode her on Cycle Oregon last year.

My neighbor loves hers as well--and I'm reading good things about it (which is why I'm leaning towards this bike). Thank you for your input!

[kajero]

I have a Ruby, too! And I love it! It's treasure to ride!

[pll]

If you are buying you first road bike, test as many bikes as you can. What someone loves may not work for you.