Ruby Versus Madone (again?)

[kelownagirl]

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.

[katluvr]

[QUOTE=kelownagirl;287274]

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

I am VERY short and my bike shop guy (who is WONDERFUL) was trying hard to get me into 700c wheels AND carbon. We tried the smallest Madone, because of the slopping top tube and WDS design. It came real close in fit, but my legs/inseam just tooooo short. Trek does a great job fitting small women. I tried a 44 Ruby--again 700c wheels. The upper body fit/reach was ok, but not quite right. I was still sold on Trek bikes. Believe it nor not I was fit for a Lemond Zurich, 700c wheels (yippee), carbon and really a nice ride. (diff geometry that an Trek, but alas still in the "family".) Not a bike many folks think about or ride, but easier to get hands on. Madone delivery takes forever. This small size Lemond came in less than a week. Price was good for the all components. Fit was perfecto!
The key is riding before you ride, not a luxury always for us small gals!

Good luck on whatever your decision is.

Kay

[kelownagirl]

How long does it take to get a custom bike? I want my new bike by April.

[tulip]

Depends--call around to framebuilders (but that's a short timeframe).

[Mr. SR500]

Roark is a builder in my region, I believe they have about a 6 week lead time, but you may need to contact them directly. They also sell direct, and while not a nice as having a knowledgeable dealer fit you, I believe they are more then capable of giving you the bike you want.

http://www.roarkcycle.com/default.asp

[sgtiger]

It took R&E 3 1/2 weeks to complete my Rodriguez. It was supposed to be 3 weeks but my bike's paint job was delayed because they had to finish some exhibition frames for the NAHBS last year. Like, who ever heard of that? Pattooie!

FYI, I think it had been a slow couple of months for them when I ordered my bike, so the turn around time may not be typical for them. It seems anywhere from 3 to 6 months is more the norm for most of the frame-builders around here. Of course, if you want one of the mega superstar frame builders to build your bike then you'll have to wait two to six years, like Sacha White(5 yr wait list. <sigh>).