Ruby Versus Madone (again?)

[kelownagirl]

Well the 2008 Ruby Expert and Ruby Pro are in at the LBS so I can't wait to go down and try them out. I've also been waiting for the Trek Madone 5.1 to come in but I just called and they said Trek is only making a few so they aren't bringing any in. It's been replaced by the Trek Madone 4.7 WSD which is supposed to be more or less the same components. Anyone know anything about this bike? After talking with the Specialized guy, the Ruby sounds like a better made bike (with the Zertz inserts etc) but I like the Trek as well. Other downside is that the Madone won't be in until early April...

[Mr. SR500]

Well is mostly comes down to fit. My wife road a couple Specialized Ruby's but they just don't fit her nearly as well as a Madone. That said her 5.1 WSD has been on order forever and still won't be shipped until maybe April - driving us nuts. As for the 4.7, it does not replace the 5.1, but gives Trek a slightly lower price point. There are also some differences. It's an imported frame and not made in the US. It also uses Trek TCT carbon rather then the OCLV carbon used in a couple different weights for the US produced bikes. It also uses a traditional seat post, rather the the new design on the US built Madones. For the price difference, I still think the 5.1 is the way to go, but purchase should be made based first on fit.

All Specialized bikes are imported, so I don't know about better built? The zertz inserts seem like a gimmick to me. Trek also has a excellent warranty, and I love my '06 Madone.

Go with fit first, but the Madones are awesome bikes. Good Luck.

[kelownagirl]

Well is mostly comes down to fit. My wife road a couple Specialized Ruby's but they just don't fit her nearly as well as a Madone. That said her 5.1 WSD has been on order forever and still won't be shipped until maybe April - driving us nuts. As for the 4.7, it does not replace the 5.1, but gives Trek a slightly lower price point. There are also some differences. It's an imported frame and not made in the US. It also uses Trek TCT carbon rather then the OCLV carbon used in a couple different weights for the US produced bikes. It also uses a traditional seat post, rather the the new design on the US built Madones. For the price difference, I still think the 5.1 is the way to go, but purchase should be made based first on fit.

All Specialized bikes are imported, so I don't know about better built? The zertz inserts seem like a gimmick to me. Trek also has a excellent warranty, and I love my '06 Madone.

Go with fit first, but the Madones are awesome bikes. Good Luck.

Thanks MR. SR500. I knew you were still waiting so wondered if you'd heard that. I quizzed the girl on the phone and she seemed to convinced that the 4.7 and the 5.1 were virtually the same bike. I looked at the stats in the Trek site and only saw a couple of difference but I didn't know what they meant. Thanks for explaining. So I guess I have to choose between the Ruby and the Madone 4.7. Trouble with the Trek is that I can't try one out. They won't even be getting in until April and then who knows if it'll be in my size so I can see how it fits. As for the Ruby, I can only try a Comp 51" which should be close enough and then I'd have to order in a expert or pro my size. Also the Specialized guy is the only properly trained fitting guy in Kelowna (although he only just completed the course.)

HOw big is your wife? I am 5-3 with a 29" inseam.

Personally, I like the Zertz info (not that I'm a pro by any stretch of the imagination, but it makes sense to me.) Also apparently Specialized puts a whole lot more money into R&D than Trek. That being said, I really do like the Madone as well.

Ah well, keep on searching.


RM - you are so right about each saying theirs in best. I have not had that opportunity with the Trek guy yet but I have no doubt you are right.

[katluvr]

[QUOTE=kelownagirl;287274]

HOw big is your wife? I am 5-3 with a 29" inseam. QUOTE]

I am VERY short and my bike shop guy (who is WONDERFUL) was trying hard to get me into 700c wheels AND carbon. We tried the smallest Madone, because of the slopping top tube and WDS design. It came real close in fit, but my legs/inseam just tooooo short. Trek does a great job fitting small women. I tried a 44 Ruby--again 700c wheels. The upper body fit/reach was ok, but not quite right. I was still sold on Trek bikes. Believe it nor not I was fit for a Lemond Zurich, 700c wheels (yippee), carbon and really a nice ride. (diff geometry that an Trek, but alas still in the "family".) Not a bike many folks think about or ride, but easier to get hands on. Madone delivery takes forever. This small size Lemond came in less than a week. Price was good for the all components. Fit was perfecto!
The key is riding before you ride, not a luxury always for us small gals!

Good luck on whatever your decision is.

Kay

[kelownagirl]

How long does it take to get a custom bike? I want my new bike by April.

[tulip]

Depends--call around to framebuilders (but that's a short timeframe).

[Mr. SR500]

Roark is a builder in my region, I believe they have about a 6 week lead time, but you may need to contact them directly. They also sell direct, and while not a nice as having a knowledgeable dealer fit you, I believe they are more then capable of giving you the bike you want.

http://www.roarkcycle.com/default.asp

[sundial]

All Specialized bikes are imported, so I don't know about better built? The zertz inserts seem like a gimmick to me.

Most US bike manufacturers have sold their soul to the asian market, so it's rare you'll find one that's not assembled in China. As for the Zertz, it does provide a smoother ride. Hubby has Trek, I have Specialized. My bike provides a smoother ride.

[tulip]

For a similar price, you could go custom. Luna, IF, Seven...just a few.

[VeloVT]

My boyfriend bought a Madone last summer. It was before the new redesign. At that point Trek was only using two different levels of carbon -- OCLV for the Madone line and TCT (I think?), for the 5000/5200s. We test rode both, and the OCLV had a dramatically better ride. Both stiffer and damper feeling. If you are going to be spending the $$ to buy any bike in the Madone line it's worth trying the different carbons, because there can be a much bigger difference than you might expect.

I have never ridden a Ruby, so I have no advice there. We tested a bunch of bikes for him though (we're almost exactly the same size so I got to be the second opinion), and it came down to the Madone 5.2 (2007 version) and the Cervelo R3. The R3 was a really special bike and had a delicious, seductive ride, but cost two grand more for about the same component spec, and so the Madone won out as a better value and a more sensible decision for him, since he has no plans to race. We thought the Madone was a very nice combination of nice feeling carbon and quick, but not twitchy handling. He's happy with it. There are lots of nice bikes out there though (I also liked the Cannondale Six13 a lot, but he thought it was harsh and again, the Madone was just a really good value), and my advice is to ride everything you possibly can and then consult your bank account .

Some Treks, including carbon frames, are still made in Wisconsin. BF's Madone is US made.

[Eden]

Most US bike manufacturers have sold their soul to the asian market, so it's rare you'll find one that's not assembled in China. As for the Zertz, it does provide a smoother ride. Hubby has Trek, I have Specialized. My bike provides a smoother ride.

I'm sure China loves to hear you say that, but most of the higher quality bike manufacturing facilities are in Taiwan and they consider themselves to be an independent country

[Mr. SR500]

She is 5'6" with a sort of long 31" inseam. We knew the previous Madones fit her perfectly in a 51 WSD. However, for '08, Trek changed the sizes and geometry. They went to a 50 and 52 and both bikes have more rise then the previous Madone. The top tube of the 50 looks like a better fit, but the 50 would require a "tall" seat post cap, see here:



So we decided on the 52, although she may need to shorten the stem a hair. The bikes generally are very close, I think the tall cap is fine, but like bikes with a more or less neutral fit.

I don't know about R&D at Specialized, but would have my doubts that they put more effort in that Trek. Specialized is a importer and specs bikes to be built. I'm sure they do R&D, but are still constrained by the manufacturer building their bikes.

Trek designs and build their own high end bikes. And just looking at the major innovations in the '08 Madone would prove this out. New head tube and bearing design, massive bottom bracket, and new seat mast design. All together make it lighter with excellent handling.

As for riding an '08, there are some out there. We found one in Columbus, Ohio (about 2 hours away), so took an afternoon to go over and ride. This confirmed the size and ride. Although, I'm not real pleased a Trek Superstore in Columbus has one on the floor, and Trek still can't deliver one to our local dealer.

All that said, too many variables, so go with fit first and the rest will fall into place.

P.S. Nothing wrong with Specialized, just take everything you hear with a grain of salt, also our 5 year wants a Specialized Allez jr, very bad...

[Running Mommy]

ha.. My guess is the Specialized guy will convince you his is better, and then the trek guy would do the same.
I say ride both and YOU decide.
I think they both have their own merits.

[3weight]

I just bought an '08 5.2 and it was made in Waterloo.

[auntiebobo]

Kelownagirl,

I was in the same spot - Ruby or Madone. But the local Trek dealer in my area didn't have my size and made it very clear if they ordered one for me to try out - I would pretty much be committed to buy it since my size wasn't something they would normally carry. I didn't want to spend that much without at least riding it first.

So, enter the Ruby - I took it for a ride and fell in love. LBS guy spent lots of time with me to get the right fit and ordered a different color for me, and patiently swapped out the white handlebar tape etc etc..

I'm 5'0" with a 27" inseam and ended up on the 48 Ruby (kinda surprised, I thought for sure I would be on the 44 and so did the LBS guy when he first looked at me) Very pleased with it, smooth ride.

Like everyone else has said ride all you can and you'll know which is right for you.

Happy hunting!