I am 46 and just got a Ruby Comp 4 weeks ago. I immediately went for a full carbon frame, as I have been riding a steel Lemond Tourmelet for the last 14 years and well, wanted to treat myself well in my happy golden years. I also wanted a WSD as I have been riding men's bikes all my life. The Tourmelet just started feeling bad, even after a new fitting. I tried the Trek Pilot 5.2 and that just didn't feel right. I went to 4 different bike shops, and bar none in their opinions, they all agreed that Specialized made the best women's specific bike on the current market. It rides like a cadillac, and no longer do I get joint pain, or drop a few seconds momentum from being jolted on bad pavement. It's smooooth.

I am in north central MA in a particular hilly region and like to ride into southern NH. For me, although I ride often and am pretty fit, needed a triple. The compact double in the 2006 version was still geared too high for me, I ride with mostly hills 6-10%, several per mile. I might have one 3/4 mile flat near me. So I got the newer 2007 that now offers a triple. The 2007 Comp also upgrades to a better saddle, Specialized BG Jett (instead of Dolce), and to Mavic open sport rims (rather than the Shimano WH-560). Because of the triple, the FSA Gossamer MegaExo has been changed to Shimano 105 crankset.

This bike is so nice. My legs have never felt better. I can't recall getting lactic acid buildup even on some of these hills. Hell, with a 12-27 and a triple, I certainly will always find a comfortable gear. Sprinting hills are fun now. The response of this bike is incredible.

However, I am having some problems. I am having sit bone pain still, after 4 weeks by about 25 miles. Some of it is alleviated by good shorts. I'll be sore with my Cannondale Domestique's by 10 miles, and the Pearl's by about 24. So this is a saddle issue, which I will tweak on my own or go back to my LBS.

Also, a little lower back pain. I am not sure if this is from "knowing I have a cool light bike" and just pulled a higher gear too soon when I started out. I still lost one lowest gear from my old bike with the new gearing, so maybe I'm a woos and need that lower gear back. I am giving it time. Being on this bike and having been fit well, I recognized I had poor form when on the old bike. I am strengthening my core more, and trying to keep a flat back and that has helped some. My typical rides on these hills are 24 to 35 miles. I am shooting to 40-50.

If you have a good fit and you choose the carbon frame, I would think most certainly this bike will be suitable for many years. You can always upgrade to the what the Specialized Ruby Pro offers in terms of wheelsets, handle bars, and DuraAce components later. Not unless you want to pay $4500 upfront now for the Pro. As for Ultegra vs. 105. I have no direct experience. But what I gather from several bike forums, the 105's will last "longer", and that there is not much difference between 105 and Ultegra and not worth the extra money. Some say the Ultegra is a little tight. It's the jump from 105 to DuraAce that will make the difference. Since I am not racing, I feel I don't need the expensive, less long lasting DuraAce.

As for Kaybee, going to a good bike shop is so important. Not only did I hone in on the final bike I wanted, I also honed in on the bike shop. I got a good one. They fit me just for the test ride, swapped out stems and such, measured. Ordered the bike, came in 4 days. For pickup day and the final fitting I went in around 3:15 and left around 6:00 (this included trying on shoes, final bike inspection, swapping over my cyclocomputer). They gave me alot of attention and spent a lot of time with the fitting. Not only that, they took off another $150 because I asked them to, let me take the bike home before they charged my visa 4 days later so I could capitalize on Mass. tax-free day (saved the 5% sales tax), a couple of pairs of free socks, and took another $20 off my new bike shoes. They guarantee fit so I bring it in until the bike causes no pain. If you haven't chosen one, get a good bike shop. If not, demand that they "service" you and make them responsive. You just spent a lot of money at their shop.