New Bike!

[rubysoho]

Over my lunch break I picked up my new bike. A tricross elite. It is now sitting in my office. Guess who is not getting any work done.



Already tried out the SRAM grears. I was worried because I heard they were very different than the Shimano 105's. They are so intuitive, as soon as the guy in the store showed me I knew I'd have no problem.

This weekend it is supposed to be 50 degrees and sunny! I can't wait to hit the dirt trails near my house.

[Owlie]

Nice! Congrats!
I've been looking at a Tricross. How does it compare with the Ruby, length-wise?

[rubysoho]

I have a size 54 Ruby and the Tricross is a 52. It feels really good (and it might be the Ruby is a size too big for me). Neither have very aggressive positioning.

I think I like the handlebars of the Tricross better. The SRAM shifters are easier to reach and overall the handlebars just feel better when I am in the drops. When I use the drops on the ruby I can't really reach the shifters and brakes as easily.

I'll get the Tricross out for some real rides this weekend so I will let you know if there is a huge difference. (Also to compare road vibrations since the Tricross is aluminum.)

I bought the Tricross to be my workhorse. A go-almost-anywhere-and-get-dirty bike. It will also be my commuter (has the clearance for fenders and eyelets for front and back racks... the Ruby doesn't have the clearance, can't handle larger tires and no eyelets). So basically the Tricross will do what the Ruby can't.

I still love the Ruby though.

[rubysoho]

I just looked up the tt length specs for both, here you go:

Ruby Elite, size 54: 357mm
Tricross Elite, size 52: 357mm

Makes sense why I felt like I fit so well in the "cockpit."

[Owlie]

I just looked up the tt length specs for both, here you go:

Ruby Elite, size 54: 357mm
Tricross Elite, size 52: 357mm

Makes sense why I felt like I fit so well in the "cockpit."

Sweet, and thank you! I'm looking at a 54cm Ruby, and I just need a slightly shorter stem based on my test-ride of a 54cm Dolce. Thing fit like a glove. I've been wanting a 'cross bike...I need to persuade my shop to get in a Tricross.

Happy riding!

[Jo-n-NY]

I just looked up the tt length specs for both, here you go:

Ruby Elite, size 54: 357mm
Tricross Elite, size 52: 357mm

Makes sense why I felt like I fit so well in the "cockpit."

First, congrats and lots of luck with you new ride.

Keep in mind the Ruby is a womens geometry and the Tricross is both sexes the reason for the different size.

I have/had (selling) my 2007 Ruby. I think the more recent year Ruby's & Dolce's handle bars have been changed to be even more compact for women. I noticed it when I won the Dolce and one of the reasons to step up to the Amira. I was never comfortable in the drops on my Ruby but on the Dolce and Amira I ride down there with no problem and can reach the brakes much better while in the drops.

[rubysoho]

That is an interesting observation. When I head back to the bike store I'll take a look at the new Ruby model. Last time I saw it I was blinded by the matte black and fuchsia pink paint job!

I do know that the Ruby I have was sold to me with handlebars that are not what it was supposed to come with. They are one or two sizes bigger and it is a fit issue for me. I'm a little miffed that it was sold to me like that (I don't blame the bike store, I don't think they even knew!) but oh well. I doubt there is anything that can be done since I bought the bike in late 2008 and I didn't find out until a pro fitting last summer. One day I'll buy handlebars that fit me better.

[rubysoho]

It is official, I absolutely LOVE the Tricross.

Had a blast on the trails near my house. I encountered everything from pavement, to short grass, to the kind of grass deer lay in (thick and cushy, about 7-9 inches tall), to gravel of various depths, standing water, and of course dirt and mud. I tried to be a good trail steward and not ride in the really muddy areas so they wouldn't get cut up.

It feels very different than the Ruby, as it should. Very sturdy, very stable even when I felt the rear wheel slipping in a few areas. I just let it correct itself. It isn't super speedy but it didn't feel slow either. And still very maneuverable.

All in all I am very happy with my new bike. I think it will be exactly what I bought it for: a good, all around, do everything moderately well bike.

I can't wait to find some accessories. The farmers market I visit is right off a beautiful bike trail that I can get to from my house. It is about a 25 mile round trip from my house. And work is just 12 miles away. And the grocery store, gym, movie theater, etc... all within 1-5 miles. Lol. Can you tell I am excited?

(Also, as a tribute to my youth, I went out in *gasp* JEANS and a pair of Merrel shoes! Good times all around.)