Thinking about buying a Specialized Ruby Comp

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The only reason I mention this is because i was at a bike shop last week that happened to have a Ruby Comp on the floor and I tried it out of curiousity.
I am 5'5" with a 30" pbh (pubic bone height).
The bike was marked "Women's L" (with a Specialized sticker on the frame) for Large and under that it was marked 54cm.
The top tube was several inches below my crotch when standing over it, and when sitting on the bike my knees were WAY bent too much- too much even for higher saddle height to fix I'd say. The reach to the bars seemed fine, but the bike felt overall substancially too small for me. I asked about the size, and the LBS guy said it was women's Large and if I wanted anything larger I would have to go to a Specialized "Roubaix" bike instead of the Ruby Comp (not sure of spelling there). Now I don't know if he was telling me some bs line or not, maybe they DO make Ruby comps larger than that. But I thought i'd just pass this experience along, and especially since you and I seem to be EXACTLY the same size. Don't let anyone sell you a bike frame that doesn't fit to begin with. Other stuff and details can be tweaked, but frame size cannot.
I ride a 54cm Rivendell by the way, which feels like a much bigger bike to me than this 54 RubyC. All bike brands have different geometrys and need to be actually tested by yourself in person.

[Aggie_Ama]

Where do you live? I would be a bit hesistant if they put you on a bike that didn't fit. Does your Allez fit?

How much does a Ruby Comp run? It is comparable to my bike, I just haven't priced one.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Looking at the Specialized site, I see that they do offer the ruby comp in both 54 and 56cm sizes. The 54 seemed a bit small for me, and I am your exact height and pubic bone height. You should at least try a 56cm as well if you are going to shell out that kind of money. Get the LBS to check out your leg/knee positions in particular. You do NOT want knee pain and problems due to not being able to straighten your leg enough while riding.
Another note- the Specialized "Roubaix" is a man's bike and I notice that the top tube length is substancially longer for the very same size bike compared to the Ruby comp women's bike they make. So if you are also proportioned like me you might want to consider avoiding that longer reach on their man's Roubaix bike. I have a non women's specific Rivendell and I've had to do some tweaking to make the reach more comfortable, and it may well be impossible to get it perfect.

[xeney]

I thought PBH and standover were not exactly the same, except for Rivendell's method of measuring?

My inseam (not the same as PBH, obviously) is about 30", I'm 5'6, and when I tried out a Ruby, I needed a 51 cm. A lot of this is just fit preference.

[songlady]

My inseam (not the same as PBH, obviously) is about 30", I'm 5'6, and when I tried out a Ruby, I needed a 51 cm. A lot of this is just fit preference.

I am also 5.5 1/2 and just got a new (used) Ruby in a 51. I have a very short upper torso and this bike fits great now that I've changed the stem to a 75.

[midlife]

I'm interested in this topic as being a shortie 5'2" I find my Giant compact frame (a medium) too big, even with the shortest stem possible (can't recall, maybe a 75/70?) Trouble with a small frame is the wheels need to be 650's as they just look stupid with a 700's on a small frame and the think I like about the Ruby is the narrower bars and the shorter reach to the brakes. I have upper back issues if I ride too long, too often.

It might be a pipe dream at the moment but just considering it. Moving overseas soon, so not sure what to do!!

[Aggie_Ama]

Midlife- I have a Cannondale Synapse and it fits great for me, I am also 5'2". The frame is 47 cm and I have long legs and a short torso. Unlike my last bike, I can actually shift and brake easily from the drops. My bike has the 700 wheels and it took me a while not to look at it as out of proportion. I do love that I can now steal my husband's tubes instead of having my own. My guess is the manufacturers use 700 wheels on the higher end bikes because there is more variety of quality rims? I haven't done the research on that though.

As for the back issues, that seems like a fit problem. Although my shoulder blades ache on long rides too. I think it is more the way I ride, I tend to really grip the hoods and the kiss of death- lock my elbows. I have to be aware of my own position on the bike, I am my own worst enemy.

The Ruby has 700 wheels, so it wouldn't fit your criteria if you cannot stand the 700's.