Can a Ruby Comp go cross country?

[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.

[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.