Specialized Ruby Comp

[GLC1968]

Bikerhen -

I don't have a Ruby...unfortunately...but I do ride the Dolce Comp and I love her dearly. But, I'm replying to speak to the Ultegra vs 105 concern. My previous bike was Ultegra (a 2004 Fuji) and when I bought my Dolce Comp (all 105 and 10 spd) I was really concerned. Turns out that I had no reason to be. With the exception of a bad chain that my LBS switched to Ultegra at no charge, I've not had a single issue. I do have a triple, but I've not noticed any difference between this bike and my old one. My shifting is as smooth and responsive as the day I got her. My ultegra bike was constantly needing adjustments. Plus this bike has been through some really rough rides that my other one never experienced (tough commutes, centuries, tons-o-rain, etc) and it's running beautifully.

If the 105 is the one thing holding you back, don't let it!

And I'm jealous...I want a Ruby!

[Susie]

I'm the one with the Ruby Pro and Campy that Caligurl mentioned and I absolutely love my bike. There's a pretty torn up descent around here that on my old bike would feel like I was riding a jack hammer. My shoulders and neck would always be in pain when I hit the bottom. I went down that road on my test ride and the Ruby was so smooth, I thought they had finally repaved it. I actually rode back up to make sure that they hadn't.

My LBS was great about swapping out the parts. They put the Dura Ace parts on another new bike and credited me back the money. But know that it's not just the components that you'll need to swap out -- you'll need a different wheelset with Campy-compatible hubs. I decided to go ahead and put some fairly pricey Rolf Elans on the bike (~$850 with my discount). With the trade in credit, I paid about $800 more than I would have if I had left the bike with Shimano.

I hope that helps,

Susie

[bikerHen]

Hi All, Thanks for your input! Just got to work after my test ride. Here's my opinions:
1. LOVE the full carbon frame. Everything about it was sweet, sweet, sweet!
2. Didn't like the handlebars to much, would switch out with the ones on my current bike, full carbon bars I got earlier this summer.
3. Not real real happy with the 105, felt alot like my current '05 Ultegra that is having some issues.

Over all though, the ride felt good. Did I mention how wonderfully smooth the carbon makes the ride? It really levels out the road. I made it a point to run over every crack on the road. Very smoooth! Just awesome! And it really jumps with you when your trying to make it across a busy 4 lane road. I'm going back on Sunday to try the Ruby Expert they are bringing in from the other store. I spent some quality one on one time with the spec books comparing models and found a few interesting things. The bike I test rode is the '07 model. All '07 in the Ruby line now come with the same weight carbon. Caligirl, you are lucky you bought the '06 Ruby Pro cause it did come with a lighter carbon! The '07 Comp is blue while the Expert is now black. And they do have a very cool look to the carbon fiber. Component to component other than the Ultegra the Expert has a slightly better wheelset, carbon crank and something else . . . just can't remember. And it is slightly lighter.
I'm still debating the compact double or triple. Both the Comp and Expert come either way. Will most likely end up with the triple. We do have some hills/mountains around here. And while I maybe getting a lighter bike, there is still too much of ME to push up those hills. But I am happy to say there is less of me now, than at the beginning of the year.

So, I guess I'll just have to cool my jets until Sunday. bikerHen

[caligurl]

Hi All, Thanks for your input! Just got to work after my test ride. Here's my opinions:
1. LOVE the full carbon frame. Everything about it was sweet, sweet, sweet!
2. Didn't like the handlebars to much, would switch out with the ones on my current bike, full carbon bars I got earlier this summer.
3. Not real real happy with the 105, felt alot like my current '05 Ultegra that is having some issues.

Over all though, the ride felt good. Did I mention how wonderfully smooth the carbon makes the ride? It really levels out the road. I made it a point to run over every crack on the road. Very smoooth! Just awesome! And it really jumps with you when your trying to make it across a busy 4 lane road. I'm going back on Sunday to try the Ruby Expert they are bringing in from the other store. I spent some quality one on one time with the spec books comparing models and found a few interesting things. The bike I test rode is the '07 model. All '07 in the Ruby line now come with the same weight carbon. Caligirl, you are lucky you bought the '06 Ruby Pro cause it did come with a lighter carbon! The '07 Comp is blue while the Expert is now black. And they do have a very cool look to the carbon fiber. Component to component other than the Ultegra the Expert has a slightly better wheelset, carbon crank and something else . . . just can't remember. And it is slightly lighter.
I'm still debating the compact double or triple. Both the Comp and Expert come either way. Will most likely end up with the triple. We do have some hills/mountains around here. And while I maybe getting a lighter bike, there is still too much of ME to push up those hills. But I am happy to say there is less of me now, than at the beginning of the year.

So, I guess I'll just have to cool my jets until Sunday. bikerHen

wow! i didn't realize that they were changing that! i know for 06 only the bestest s-works had lighter carbon than the pro! ohhhhhhh! i LOVE black bikes (thus my lusting after the ruby s-works!) but i still probably woulda gotten the pro... or maybe the comp... black! *drool*

i love my bars... they are carbon... but i did put after market 4.5 barphat on them... with fizik tape!

ok.... we'll wait for the report on the expert!