2nd Road Bike: Trek or Specialized?

[trihouston]

Buying my second road bike; I need some advice. My first was a Terry Symmetry and it was a sweet ride but was way too small for me; she now belongs to a good owner who fits her well. I narrowed down my choices to the 09 Trek Madone 4.5 Compact and the 09 Specialized Ruby Comp Compact. Here’s my dilemma: one LBS sized me as a 52cm on the Trek. Test drove it and it felt pretty good. Another LBS sized me as a 54cm on the Specialized. I did a test drive and that felt good but stem needed to be shorter. I also test drove a 51 cm in the Specialized and the 51 cm felt too small. I rode an 09 Trek Madone 6.5 Compact during my triathlon last Sunday; that was a sweet ride! It was 54 cm and it felt pretty good but the stem needed to be shorter.

Should I go for the 52 cm Trek Madone 4.5 or the Specialized Ruby Comp in 54 cm? Specialized sizes jump from 51 cm to 54 cm. I’m leaning toward the Specialized Ruby Comp since it’s about $500 less and the two bikes have almost the same components (Shimano 105 components on the Specialized and Shimano 105 components on the Trek with Shimano Ultegra rear derailleaur).

Thanks in advance!

[Reesha]

How short is the stem on the Ruby Comp?

Really short stems freak me out on the bike because the steering is so twitchy. It's too bad you can't test ride them for longer!!!

[Becky]

IMO, buy what fits best. Both are nice bikes. Also, keep in mind that bike sizes are somewhat arbitrary- different brands measure differently, and frame geometries can have a big impact on size. I wouldn't place too much emphasis on the number.

[trihouston]

How short is the stem on the Ruby Comp?

Really short stems freak me out on the bike because the steering is so twitchy. It's too bad you can't test ride them for longer!!!

Thanks for the post; I hadn't thought about stem length and changes to bike handling. Ruby Comp stem is 100mm but the LBS can swap it out to probably a 90 mm to make it a better fit.

[MartianDestiny]

Thanks for the post; I hadn't thought about stem length and changes to bike handling. Ruby Comp stem is 100mm but the LBS can swap it out to probably a 90 mm to make it a better fit.

You can definitely drop to a 90mm or even a 70mm (I think that's the next size down) without adverse handling characteristics IMO.

I ride with a 50mm stem on my "race" bike (haha, I never race!) and honestly don't notice it being any more unpredictable or twitchy than any other highly tuned race machine I rode with longer stems. That is to say it is indeed highly responsive and a hair twitchy at times, but not in an unpredictable way.

Will the shop(s) go ahead and switch the stem(s) out for you to test ride again? I'd ask them to; then pick the one that fits/feels the best to you.

[Cataboo]

I don't notice a difference in my bikes handling with a 90 mm stem or a 100 mm stem. Or with the one that's got a 130 degree stem.

[ttaylor508]

I don't notice a difference in my bikes handling with a 90 mm stem or a 100 mm stem. Or with the one that's got a 130 degree stem.

Me neither. I went from a 100mm to a 90mm on my Ruby and there is no difference in handling.

[Reesha]

Once upon a time I went from an 80mm to a 130mm and it totally changed the handling. I had the 80 when I first road bike because I was uncomfortable being stretched out but later went back to the shop and got a 130 slapped on. That's what I've got on today! Turning became so much smoother than it was.

[TxDoc]

Hi,
really more than answers I have questions first
Were those two the only bikes available to try - or did you test ride many and narrow down to those two as the ones that fit you best?
Also - this is mainly curiosity but what makes you choose a compact? I figure 34-50 so did you like this better than 39-53 or is it for another reason, and what cassette would you have in the back - is it the same for both bikes?
Last question - please ignore it if it sounds unpolite, really it is not meant to - but are you in Houston, TX and if yes which shop are you test-riding at?

[trihouston]

Hi,

I test drove 5 different bikes and narrowed it down to the Specialized and the Trek. Both felt pretty good, had comparable components and were in my price range.

I looked at the differences between the compact and triple and decided on the compact because it eliminates awkward chain angles that can cause drag. I didn't choose the compact to shed grams or anything like that I initially had concerns about needing the granny gear for the hills but I rode a compact on a pretty hilly course in Austin and survived!

Not an impolite question at all! I am in Houston, TX and I went to Bike Barn at Kirby and West End Bikes. I placed an order for the Specialized and decided to buy it from West End because they are just a couple of streets down from where I live and they've always provided great service (they fitted me on a bike for free, and the bike wasn't purchased through them).

Thanks everyone for the helpful posts. I'll post a picture of my new ride which should come in a couple of days. I can't wait...I'm going through bike withdrawals...

[TxDoc]

Not an impolite question at all! I am in Houston, TX and I went to Bike Barn at Kirby and West End Bikes. I placed an order for the Specialized and decided to buy it from West End because they are just a couple of streets down from where I live and they've always provided great service (they fitted me on a bike for free, and the bike wasn't purchased through them).

Ha! I actually wanted to suggest either Daniel Boone or West End
Good luck!