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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
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    Kelowna, BC, Canada
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    Ruby Versus Madone (again?)

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    Well the 2008 Ruby Expert and Ruby Pro are in at the LBS so I can't wait to go down and try them out. I've also been waiting for the Trek Madone 5.1 to come in but I just called and they said Trek is only making a few so they aren't bringing any in. It's been replaced by the Trek Madone 4.7 WSD which is supposed to be more or less the same components. Anyone know anything about this bike? After talking with the Specialized guy, the Ruby sounds like a better made bike (with the Zertz inserts etc) but I like the Trek as well. Other downside is that the Madone won't be in until early April...
    It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Elliot


    My podcast about being a rookie triathlete:Kelownagurl Tris Podcast

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Eastern Indiana
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    373
    Well is mostly comes down to fit. My wife road a couple Specialized Ruby's but they just don't fit her nearly as well as a Madone. That said her 5.1 WSD has been on order forever and still won't be shipped until maybe April - driving us nuts. As for the 4.7, it does not replace the 5.1, but gives Trek a slightly lower price point. There are also some differences. It's an imported frame and not made in the US. It also uses Trek TCT carbon rather then the OCLV carbon used in a couple different weights for the US produced bikes. It also uses a traditional seat post, rather the the new design on the US built Madones. For the price difference, I still think the 5.1 is the way to go, but purchase should be made based first on fit.

    All Specialized bikes are imported, so I don't know about better built? The zertz inserts seem like a gimmick to me. Trek also has a excellent warranty, and I love my '06 Madone.

    Go with fit first, but the Madones are awesome bikes. Good Luck.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
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    2,309
    ha.. My guess is the Specialized guy will convince you his is better, and then the trek guy would do the same.
    I say ride both and YOU decide.
    I think they both have their own merits.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
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    Kelowna, BC, Canada
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. SR500 View Post
    Well is mostly comes down to fit. My wife road a couple Specialized Ruby's but they just don't fit her nearly as well as a Madone. That said her 5.1 WSD has been on order forever and still won't be shipped until maybe April - driving us nuts. As for the 4.7, it does not replace the 5.1, but gives Trek a slightly lower price point. There are also some differences. It's an imported frame and not made in the US. It also uses Trek TCT carbon rather then the OCLV carbon used in a couple different weights for the US produced bikes. It also uses a traditional seat post, rather the the new design on the US built Madones. For the price difference, I still think the 5.1 is the way to go, but purchase should be made based first on fit.

    All Specialized bikes are imported, so I don't know about better built? The zertz inserts seem like a gimmick to me. Trek also has a excellent warranty, and I love my '06 Madone.

    Go with fit first, but the Madones are awesome bikes. Good Luck.
    Thanks MR. SR500. I knew you were still waiting so wondered if you'd heard that. I quizzed the girl on the phone and she seemed to convinced that the 4.7 and the 5.1 were virtually the same bike. I looked at the stats in the Trek site and only saw a couple of difference but I didn't know what they meant. Thanks for explaining. So I guess I have to choose between the Ruby and the Madone 4.7. Trouble with the Trek is that I can't try one out. They won't even be getting in until April and then who knows if it'll be in my size so I can see how it fits. As for the Ruby, I can only try a Comp 51" which should be close enough and then I'd have to order in a expert or pro my size. Also the Specialized guy is the only properly trained fitting guy in Kelowna (although he only just completed the course.)

    HOw big is your wife? I am 5-3 with a 29" inseam.

    Personally, I like the Zertz info (not that I'm a pro by any stretch of the imagination, but it makes sense to me.) Also apparently Specialized puts a whole lot more money into R&D than Trek. That being said, I really do like the Madone as well.

    Ah well, keep on searching.


    RM - you are so right about each saying theirs in best. I have not had that opportunity with the Trek guy yet but I have no doubt you are right.
    Last edited by kelownagirl; 02-17-2008 at 09:02 AM.
    It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Elliot


    My podcast about being a rookie triathlete:Kelownagurl Tris Podcast

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    foothills of the Ozarks aka Tornado Alley
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    4,193
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. SR500 View Post
    All Specialized bikes are imported, so I don't know about better built? The zertz inserts seem like a gimmick to me.
    Most US bike manufacturers have sold their soul to the asian market, so it's rare you'll find one that's not assembled in China. As for the Zertz, it does provide a smoother ride. Hubby has Trek, I have Specialized. My bike provides a smoother ride.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
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    Between the Blue Ridge and the Chesapeake Bay
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    5,203
    For a similar price, you could go custom. Luna, IF, Seven...just a few.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Vermont
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    My boyfriend bought a Madone last summer. It was before the new redesign. At that point Trek was only using two different levels of carbon -- OCLV for the Madone line and TCT (I think?), for the 5000/5200s. We test rode both, and the OCLV had a dramatically better ride. Both stiffer and damper feeling. If you are going to be spending the $$ to buy any bike in the Madone line it's worth trying the different carbons, because there can be a much bigger difference than you might expect.

    I have never ridden a Ruby, so I have no advice there. We tested a bunch of bikes for him though (we're almost exactly the same size so I got to be the second opinion), and it came down to the Madone 5.2 (2007 version) and the Cervelo R3. The R3 was a really special bike and had a delicious, seductive ride, but cost two grand more for about the same component spec, and so the Madone won out as a better value and a more sensible decision for him, since he has no plans to race. We thought the Madone was a very nice combination of nice feeling carbon and quick, but not twitchy handling. He's happy with it. There are lots of nice bikes out there though (I also liked the Cannondale Six13 a lot, but he thought it was harsh and again, the Madone was just a really good value), and my advice is to ride everything you possibly can and then consult your bank account .

    Some Treks, including carbon frames, are still made in Wisconsin. BF's Madone is US made.
    Last edited by VeloVT; 02-17-2008 at 12:15 PM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    WA State
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    4,364
    Quote Originally Posted by sundial View Post
    Most US bike manufacturers have sold their soul to the asian market, so it's rare you'll find one that's not assembled in China. As for the Zertz, it does provide a smoother ride. Hubby has Trek, I have Specialized. My bike provides a smoother ride.
    I'm sure China loves to hear you say that, but most of the higher quality bike manufacturing facilities are in Taiwan and they consider themselves to be an independent country
    "Sharing the road means getting along, not getting ahead" - 1994 Washington State Driver's Guide

    visit my flickr stream http://flic.kr/ps/MMu5N

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Eastern Indiana
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    373
    She is 5'6" with a sort of long 31" inseam. We knew the previous Madones fit her perfectly in a 51 WSD. However, for '08, Trek changed the sizes and geometry. They went to a 50 and 52 and both bikes have more rise then the previous Madone. The top tube of the 50 looks like a better fit, but the 50 would require a "tall" seat post cap, see here:



    So we decided on the 52, although she may need to shorten the stem a hair. The bikes generally are very close, I think the tall cap is fine, but like bikes with a more or less neutral fit.

    I don't know about R&D at Specialized, but would have my doubts that they put more effort in that Trek. Specialized is a importer and specs bikes to be built. I'm sure they do R&D, but are still constrained by the manufacturer building their bikes.

    Trek designs and build their own high end bikes. And just looking at the major innovations in the '08 Madone would prove this out. New head tube and bearing design, massive bottom bracket, and new seat mast design. All together make it lighter with excellent handling.

    As for riding an '08, there are some out there. We found one in Columbus, Ohio (about 2 hours away), so took an afternoon to go over and ride. This confirmed the size and ride. Although, I'm not real pleased a Trek Superstore in Columbus has one on the floor, and Trek still can't deliver one to our local dealer.

    All that said, too many variables, so go with fit first and the rest will fall into place.

    P.S. Nothing wrong with Specialized, just take everything you hear with a grain of salt, also our 5 year wants a Specialized Allez jr, very bad...

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    42
    I just bought an '08 5.2 and it was made in Waterloo.
    "You can't kill the Rooster"..........David Sedaris

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    43
    Kelownagirl,

    I was in the same spot - Ruby or Madone. But the local Trek dealer in my area didn't have my size and made it very clear if they ordered one for me to try out - I would pretty much be committed to buy it since my size wasn't something they would normally carry. I didn't want to spend that much without at least riding it first.

    So, enter the Ruby - I took it for a ride and fell in love. LBS guy spent lots of time with me to get the right fit and ordered a different color for me, and patiently swapped out the white handlebar tape etc etc..

    I'm 5'0" with a 27" inseam and ended up on the 48 Ruby (kinda surprised, I thought for sure I would be on the 44 and so did the LBS guy when he first looked at me) Very pleased with it, smooth ride.

    Like everyone else has said ride all you can and you'll know which is right for you.

    Happy hunting!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    303
    Kelownagirl-
    I was also in the same place you are now. My bike shop is actually both a Trek and Specialized dealer, so I was able to test ride both bikes at the same place, and my fitter know both bikes really well. I rode the Madone first. Very smooth ride, but to me it almost felt dead....like it damped out the road almost too much. Tad (my bike guy) described the Madone like a Cadillac...nice smooth ride, very safe. I had a bit of a hard time finding a Madone that would fit me really well because of the new seat clamp. I am 5'3" and wear a 30" inseam pants (don't remember my cycling inseam).

    I then rode the Ruby... rode the Comp since that was the only one they had in the shop. Let's just say, it was the first bike (in my price range) that I came back in with a HUGE smile on my face! I felt like it smoothed out the road, but felt more like a race car....very responsive, when I moved and got out of the saddle it just responded to me. I went on to ride a number of other bikes (Felt, Cervelo, Lightspeed, Orbea) and just kept thinking about the Ruby. Went back to re-ride it, and it was just like I remembered...I was in love! I knew even before I went back that if I ordered the Ruby I was going to get the pro model, so Tad was a bit hesitant to send me back out on the Comp after I had ridden a bunch of other bikes (said it was like taking a knife to a gun fight). But it didn't matter.. it was the fit and the feel of the bike that I loved. I knew that if I loved the Comp that much the Pro was only going to be better. Did a bunch of fitting on the Comp to decide which size to order and get all my measurements. I am riding a 51, and it fits like a dream.

    It was interesting since the shop sells both Specialized and Trek to hear what Tad thought of the two. In fact, the owner had been riding a Specialized Ruby Pro, and she had just upgraded to a new Madone (it was actually sitting next to my bike when I went to pick it up). He felt that the Ruby is a better deal for the money given the level of components and carbon that Specialized uses vs Trek, especially on their Women's bikes. Specialized is known for taking Women's specific design pretty seriously, and at least to me, I felt that this bike really responded to me better than any other bike I rode, women's specific or not.

    Then again, everyone is different, and you may just LOVE the Madone. Is there anyway you can at least ride one that might be somewhat close to your size? Even if it isn't perfect or is the men's design you will at least get an idea of the ride and see if it is for you. Good luck!

    E.
    PS: The Ruby Pro is REALLY purdy too You can see photos of mine here: http://picasaweb.google.com/ellen.mallman/NewBike

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Kelowna, BC, Canada
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    2,737
    Thank you so much for taking the time to give me this much-needed feedback. It helps a LOT to hear the various opinions.

    Dr. Badger - what made you decide to go with the Pro over the Expert? I can afford either one but I am thinking that I probably will not notice the improvement between the two, considering the extra $1000 cost. That being said, I don't expect I will ever buy another road bike of this caliber so I don't want to underbuy either - maybe I'll deserve the higher end components eventually? It's a tough call.

    I will definitely go in and check out the Madones but I hate to wait until April. I want a new bike by the time the gravel is cleaned off the road.
    It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Elliot


    My podcast about being a rookie triathlete:Kelownagurl Tris Podcast

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Limbo
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    8,769
    Get the Ruby. It has a nice name.
    2008 Trek FX 7.2/Terry Cite X
    2009 Jamis Aurora/Brooks B-68
    2010 Trek FX 7.6 WSD/stock bontrager

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Kelowna, BC, Canada
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    Quote Originally Posted by zencentury View Post
    Get the Ruby. It has a nice name.
    True. But that would also be like getting the Madone because I really like the colour... Actually, I lust after the 5.2 more, as dh and i call it.
    It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Elliot


    My podcast about being a rookie triathlete:Kelownagurl Tris Podcast

 

 

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