Ruby Comp or Ruby Pro

[indysteel]

And the plot thickens.

Man, that's a tough one. On one hand, I think it's important to have a good relationship with a local LBS. You never know when you're going to need their help in an emergency. On the other hand, saving $300 + dollars on an expensive bike is sweet. Would you feel comfortable telling your local LBS that you'd like to buy the bike from them, but can they give you a ballpark date for when the price might be more negotiable? If you could hold out until then, you might be able to work out a good deal.

Since you're thinking of pricing other bikes for comparison, I would suggest looking at the LeMonds, too. In December, a friend of mine bought a 2007 full carbon, Ultegra equipped bike that lists around $2200. Stylewise, it wasn't my cup of tea, but she likes it.

[Aggie_Ama]

I drive 35 miles to get my bike serviced, it is the service that counts for me and I will drive a modest amount for it. The shop won a sale from me based on their service to my other bikes. Of course I do work 8 miles from the shop, so if I go on a week day it is an easier drive.

Why not try the other shop since you seem to have reservations about your LBS. Just see what the other shop has to offer since it is only 30 miles. I want to hear what others say about the LBS pricing. One shop here sells everything (Specialized and Trek) below MSRP and I don't think they are getting in any trouble since the Discovery Team frequently comes for appearances.

[aicabsolut]

I just wanted to add that while the FSA compact cranks are amazing (love the gearing), shifting into the big ring is a pain in the butt with a standard Shimano double FD, which is what my bike (Roubaix comp) came with. I've had it 6 months, and I've already worn a lot of the teeth on the big ring. I have only recently started using the big ring with any real frequency. It's very easy to drop a chain, and recently the whole crankset locks up occasionally when the chain gets stuck half way on the big ring--you can fix it by slightly backpedaling, for anyone else who runs into that problem.

Some of these complaints seem to be pretty standard for the FSA set, particularly when you aren't given the magic FD that makes it happy.

When I tried the bike, the FSA was so much better than the 105 triple on the Elite. I didn't try the Pro (there was no Roubaix Expert) because it was outside the budget I had set. It's just gotten harder and harder. I take really good care of the chain, cassette, and crankset. But this seems like abnormal wear on the outer ring to me. I took it to a shop recently to figure out a weird noise I started hearing, and the guy who rode it around for me said he couldn't replicate the noise, but he complained enough about my FD and shifting into the big ring. Maybe he put a curse on it, because it keeps getting worse.

For my next bike, I'll save up more and probably go with any compact I can find in DA or SRAM.

At the least, I'd talk to the shop about their service plans and what they could do for you if the FSA set gives you problems. (I emailed FSA customer service about my issues, and they say I have to take it to the shop for them to determine if it could be something under warranty).