Can a Ruby Comp go cross country?

[captenaj]

I have been going nuts. I'm looking for a bike for a fully supported cross country tour. I thought I was settled on the Giant OCR1W but then I thought "how does carbon feel?" Big mistake. It feels great. So now I have a decision again. How do folks think the Specialized Ruby Comp can stand up to a cross country tour? It's fully supported so I'm not going to hauling a lot of weight. The LBS said Jandd makes a bag that attaches to the seat rails so there isn't an issue of a rack. I'm worried that the wheels and tires are a little thin and the spokes are too few. Also the one I rode had a double. LBS guy said a it's a compact double so it would be OK.

After my tour I will use the bike for commuting, charity rides and riding the hundreds of miles of trails in the area.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Starfish]

Are the trails you will ride when the tour is over paved?

What do you know about the support on the tour? Does the support have an excellent reputation so that you know vehicles will be ranging up and down the road keeping an eye on you? Or is it more like they will be at the end of your 80 mile (or whatever) ride every day, and you'll only see them once/day? If the support is really good, then the risk is pretty low.

As for the compact double gearing, that really depends on what you know about yourself as a climber, what the mileages will be, and so forth.

I've found I can carry plenty of stuff for a supported tour by using the following combo: Jandd under seat bag, Bento Box, and rigging a small seat bag up front under my handle bars. I just use that one to carry my repair kit...that way I don't have to run into my repair stuff every time I want to grab some sunscreen or jacket out of my real seat bag.

If it was me, and you like the Ruby & it fits...for the riding you'll do after the tour, I would go for it. I might put a mountain cassette & derailleur on the back, just for the tour, to keep fatigue down day after day. But then, I'm overweight and a slow climber.

[Eden]

With a supported tour I wouldn't worry about the bike so muchl. You shouldn't need wide tires, racks, high spoke counts, etc. if you are not going to be doing loaded touring or traveling over rough (like unpaved) terrain. Seriously, it shouldn't be any different wear and tear wise than riding your bike most everyday leaving from your home right?

[Starfish]

With a supported tour I wouldn't worry about the bike so muchl. You shouldn't need wide tires, racks, high spoke counts, etc. if you are not going to be doing loaded touring or traveling over rough (like unpaved) terrain. Seriously, it shouldn't be any different wear and tear wise than riding your bike most everyday leaving from your home right?

This is how I feel about it, too...especially if the support is from a reputable touring company or organization.

[Eden]

One thing I probably would do though - tough tires! Certain areas of the US have nasties like thorns that can make short work of a racing style tire (or the el cheapo tires that usually come on bikes). Maybe try to get the shop to throw in a pair of Armadillos? Tire liners might be a good option too - I've always had good luck with them in my 700c wheels (they don't seem to work as great in my 650's though.... the overlap tore holes in the tubes. I think it was just too much and moved around a lot)

[captenaj]

Are the trails you will ride when the tour is over paved?

They are almost all paved. Some are crushed limestone. I did part of my test ride on one of these trails and it seemed OK.

Maybe try to get the shop to throw in a pair of Armadillos?

If they don't throw them in, are they worth buying? How much are these?

Does the support have an excellent reputation...?

I don't know their reputation. The tour is run by WomanTours. Anyone ever hear of them?

As for the compact double gearing, that really depends on what you know about yourself as a climber, what the mileages will be, and so forth.

I don't know anything about myself as a climber. This is my first tour.

Thanks for the help!

[Kano]

The question was "are armadillos worth the money"

My answer -- YES!

I'm riding a Roubaix -- similar to the bike you're thinking about, and those tires are skinny -- but the armadillos are nice and tough. I haven't had any more trouble ever since I got them. We live across the street from the cop who handles bike maintenance for our force here in Boise, and he swears by them!

Karen in Boise

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't know their reputation. The tour is run by WomanTours. Anyone ever hear of them?

A good friend of mine went on one of their week long women's bike tours in AZ last year. 12 riders. She loved it and said the whole thing was run very well. She wants to do another tour with them soon.

[Starfish]

They are almost all paved. Some are crushed limestone. I did part of my test ride on one of these trails and it seemed OK.

I know many, many women who have Rubies love them. So, if you're going to want a road bike, and if it fits you well, it would probably be a very nice bike to have for your future purposes.

If they don't throw them in, are they worth buying? How much are these?

I had some Armadillos after a spate of flats from winter cr@p alongside the road, and I got just as many flats. I quit using them because they are heavier, and they didn't seem to help that much. But then, I don't live in an area with massive thorns, etc, like some places. Our kind of debris runs to lots of winter gravel and pieces of stuff off logging trucks, and broken glass, etc.

I don't know their reputation. The tour is run by WomanTours. Anyone ever hear of them?

From Lisa's report, sounds like a reputable company. Just to settle your mind a little, you might call them and ask what the on-road support is like for mechanical issues.

I don't know anything about myself as a climber. This is my first tour.

Well, how has it been for you when you have had to climb a few hills? Totally exhausting with burning legs in a short amount of time? Or, no, you seem to not have much trouble? For instance, when I first started riding, there was no question that long hills really, really tired me out and made me SORE...and winded me, etc. I've known other people who climb much more easily than I do, even as beginners.

What do you know about the route and any passes you might have to climb, etc?

[Tokie]

Hey Captenaj! I rode with America by bicycle this summer from Astoria Oregon to Jackson Hole Wyoming on my beloved Ruby Pro. It was almost brand new to me at the time - and what a sweet ride- the frame soaked up lots of rough road. There were two other women with Rubys too, and none of them had any problems either. I had Rolf wheels on mine (very few spokes and tricky wheels to work on) That wasn't the best idea, but the tour company had extra wheels built up for the tour in case people had wheel catastophes. I only weigh 103 lbs, so it wasn't like I was testing the limits of my wheels with crushing weight either. I may find some sturdier and more standard wheels for future touring.I just wore a fanny pack and put a bento type box on the top tube(but the bento box thing kind of scratched my paint a tiny bit) Our ABB tour had great support, so carrying alot wasn't an issue. Next summer, my little Ruby with go with me from Jackson Hole to South Dakota! I'm crossing the US 2 weeks at a time. I can recommend using chamois butter(maybe even carrying those little packets of it sold on TE) and getting out of you sweaty bike shorts ASAP every day to help avoid saddle sores and folliculitis. A helmet that has its own visor is nice too. Have fun! Tokie

[Aggie_Ama]

I rode Gator Skins (similar idea to Armadillo) for 3,000+ miles and only had one flat on the road. It was a pinch flat do to low tire pressure, my own darn fault. My husband did not have as good of luck with them. I would still recommed them over the soft tires that are going to come on a Ruby and plan to spend $30-45 per tire.

[Starfish]

I'm crossing the US 2 weeks at a time.

Hijack: What a great idea!!! It is going to be a few years until I can do my dream ride across the US in one shot. I like this idea!! Is there a thread about your 1st leg trip and your planning for the future ones, etc? Would love to hear more on another thread!

[captenaj]

I rode with America by bicycle this summer from Astoria Oregon to Jackson Hole Wyoming on my beloved Ruby Pro.

A Ruby Pro. That must be nice. I don't think I'll ever spend that much on a bike .

I had Rolf wheels on mine (very few spokes and tricky wheels to work on).

The Ruby Comp has "Specialized Roubaix Pro, 700x23/25c, aramid bead, 120TPI." All I know is they don't look like they have enough spokes. I'm concerned about durability/reliability. I guess I could learn to replace a spoke for an emergency but I would rather have them not break. How often to people have spoke problems?

I rode Gator Skins (similar idea to Armadillo) for 3,000+ miles and only had one flat on the road.

Has anyone heard of the Panaracer Pasela Tourguards? Any thoughts? I guess tires are something else I have to research.

Thanks for all the help.

[Bad JuJu]

The tour is run by WomanTours. Anyone ever hear of them?

I toured with WomanTours in the spring of 2006, and it was excellent. The leaders were extremely knowledgeable and helpful without "hovering" too much, the cue sheets and maps were accurate and easy to follow, and the accommodations were comfortable. Also, it was really fun to ride with a bunch of other women, and the routes covered some very interesting territory. The sag van rides "sweep"--they don't just follow you around, but they did turn up several times during each day, and you just used a hand signal if you needed them to stop for anything, from needing more water or snacks to carrying chance purchases.

In case you couldn't tell, I highly recommend WomanTours.

[Eden]

All I know is they don't look like they have enough spokes. I'm concerned about durability/reliability. I guess I could learn to replace a spoke for an emergency but I would rather have them not break. How often to people have spoke problems?

Unless you are 200 lbs+ spoke breakage usually isn't much of a problem (or you are carrying that much gear!) My husband only suffered broken spokes were doing loaded touring - 6'4" man + gear......
He has raced on low spoke count wheels wheels and never had any problems with broken spokes or wheels coming out of true. I have never broken a spoke personally.