Ruby Comp or Ruby Pro

[indysteel]

Geez...just when I was about set on the Pro........But Indysteel you make a good point, actually several good ones. I currently have a triple but want to go to a compact double. We don't have a lot of hills around here and when I compared the gearing the high and low where nearly the same anyhow....and they are better spaced in-between on the Ruby. Too many double shifts on the Allez triple. I rarely use the granny gear now.

Deciding is tougher than I thought it would be. I'm just glad I have some people to bounce ideas off of and get their experienced input. Thanks everyone.

Can't wait for 5:30 to roll around!

First off, I'm jealous that you don't need your granny gear anymore for hills. Man, I must suck at climbing b/c I'd be dead w/o one.

Anyway, if you prefer a compact crank, then maybe the Pro is the right bike for you, notwithstanding the higher price tag. But, if you like the price of the Comp but prefer a compact crank, you can always work out a deal with your LBS to swamp out the triple crank for a compact. You'd probably also want to change out the rear derailleur since you wouldn't need the long cage r/d that comes with the Comp. If so, you could upgrade the r/d to Ultegra which would improve your shifting in the rear. I'm not sure what your LBS would charge for that, but it would likely be far less than $1600.

Good luck with your decision. Keep us posted. Don't be afraid to sleep on it for a few days.

[caligurl]

i figured out what "turns me off" the blue ruby.... the paint job is almost identical to my dolce's paint job! (the dark and light blue!)

if you can stand the black.... go for the expert.... that is really your BEST bet... you get the better ultegra parts without spending the PRO price....

ok.... one other thought.... most times it's cheaper to buy a whole new bike than to upgrade significant components..... so say you do buy the comp... but want a whole drivetrain upgrade... that's gonna be spendy..... (example... when we were looking at getting my MTB hubby was gonna upgrade a couple things... fork.... whatnots.... it was RIDICULOUS! he ended up with a whole new bike, too!)

sooooooooooooooooooooooo if you really think you're gonna want to upgrade (and VERY big possibility i would think with the 105)... and you hate the gorgeous black then just buy the pro..... i guarantee you will love the ride!

however..... since you seem to feel guilty about spending the money (don't we all!) then, as i said... if you can get past the black.... that is really the best bang for your buck.... you won't feel the need to upgrade the ultegra!

gee.... i'm not much help, am i???????????????????

to me it's between the expert and the pro.... i, personally, after looking at the specs (and color) wouldn't get the comp..... but that's ME!

[TxRider]

Wow - I didn't realize that the Expert changed colors this year although I guess I should have since they usually do yearly.

I know it's probably unlikely, but maybe a bike shop somewhere has an Expert "left over" from last year? Maybe your bike shop could call Specialized & check into that for you? Probably a long-shot (my bike store didn't even stock them b/c they thought there wouldn't be the demand), but just throwing the suggestion out there.

[Jo-n-NY]

Indysteel gave you some great advice in her post about fitting & feel of the frame. If the 51 fits you in the Comp, it will fit you in the Pro. Mine is actually a 51. The feel of the ride will also be the same.

When it comes to components I agree with Cali, if you are deciding between the Comp and the Pro.If the Pro is in your budget, I would go for it. I can assure you will not be dissappointed.

As far as triple or compact double, I used my granny gear on my Dolce Comp a few times only so I do not see a problem using a "compact" double.

I cannot wait to hear how your trip to the LBS turned out.

[indysteel]

ok.... one other thought.... most times it's cheaper to buy a whole new bike than to upgrade significant components..... so say you do buy the comp... but want a whole drivetrain upgrade... that's gonna be spendy..... (example... when we were looking at getting my MTB hubby was gonna upgrade a couple things... fork.... whatnots.... it was RIDICULOUS! he ended up with a whole new bike, too!)

I agree generally with that, but that is what has me a bit confused about Specialized's pricing for the Comp and Pro. You can buy a full Dura Ace groupset for less than $1600, e.g., at Colorado Cyclist. Since I can't seem to find any other difference between the Comp and the Pro, I have to wonder what justifies the big price difference between the two bikes. Specialized doesn't indicate what wheelset is used on each bike. Maybe the Pro has better wheels. That would explain it....

Sorry to beat what may be a dead horse, but I've been scratching my head about it since this thread started.

[li10up]

I agree generally with that, but that is what has me a bit confused about Specialized's pricing for the Comp and Pro. You can buy a full Dura Ace groupset for less than $1600, e.g., at Colorado Cyclist. Since I can't seem to find any other difference between the Comp and the Pro, I have to wonder what justifies the big price difference between the two bikes. Specialized doesn't indicate what wheelset is used on each bike. Maybe the Pro has better wheels. That would explain it....

Sorry to beat what may be a dead horse, but I've been scratching my head about it since this thread started.

On Specialized site the have this info:
Rims: Pro - Roval Classique Fusee, 24 hole
Comp - Mavic open sport

Means nothing to me............?????????????

[Jo-n-NY]

On Specialized site the have this info:
Rims: Pro - Roval Classique Fusee, 24 hole
Comp - Mavic open sport

Means nothing to me............?????????????

To the best of my knowledge that is an upgrade along with:

Pro- Carbon Headset
Pro- Carbon Crankset
Pro- Roval Classique Fusee Rims, front & rear hub- this is the wheel set and this is what "mainly" makes the Pro a far better bike than the Comp.

Also, I am not sure how much his matters, but the spokes DT stainless, butted aero, hidden aeros, which I guess is another plus.

I hope this helps. I pass this info on to you from my husband as he knows far better than I about stuff like this. All I know is, I love the ride.

~ JoAnn

[indysteel]

Thanks for clarifying that for me Jo-Ann. That further explains the price difference.

[li10up]

Well, I went to the LBS last night and got fit on my current bike. I think it went well and I feel more comfortable on my bike. He said I am on the right size frame. He rotated the handlebars upward…my hoods were down too far for me causing me to extend my wrists. Now the drops aren’t really in the right place so I may have to rotate the bars down a bit. But at least I know how to do that now. If/when I need to replace the bar tape I’ll move the hoods up a bit. He also raised my seat and moved it forward. I’ll see how it feels on my ride tomorrow. He also said I have a good pedal stroke…hey; at least I’m doing something right!

We then talked about bikes. I wanted the Expert but I can only get it in black, sorry Calgirl, but I just don’t know if I can go with that look. Just a personal preference. But I had them price me out three options.
Pro - $3897
Expert - $2815
Comp frame with Campy Chorus group - $3600

I really don’t know anything about Campy but it was the bike shop owner that really thought it was the way for me to go. But he may have alternative motives since he is in the business to make money, I assume.

So, I still don’t know what to do. I still haven’t even see the Ruby frame in person or taken a test ride on one. Close up it might not look anything like the pictures I’ve seen. In another post I said I test rode a Pro at a bike demo but it was actually the S-works bike…SWEET! Maybe I should just wait until the 2008’s come out and see what color the expert comes in.

[caligurl]

Specialized doesn't indicate what wheelset is used on each bike. Maybe the Pro has better wheels. That would explain it....

yes they do... and each version has different wheels...