Specialized Ruby Expert

[babynoahsmom]

These are some very good points. Here is the deal. My Dolce fits fine. I love her. I walked into the bike store one day and saw the Ruby frame hanging up in the rafters. No wheels, just hanging there. She has haunted my dreams. They still have her and have not managed to sell her yet. It is some promo package or something. It retails for 3800, but I can get her for $2400 with wheels. They will give me 700 trade in on the Dolce. I have her test riding her right now. I went out tonight and rode 15 miles on her. I am going to take the DOlce out tomorrow night and ride the same route so I can compare. She does ride some smoother and does shift smoother. As for riding early, I have a husband that gets up each morning and rides with his gang so thats not gonna happen. I always tell people. I have children, he has a life. (He is a really good guy, I am not complaining.) He rides a Trek Madone BTW. Maybe I have bike envy? There is just something about this particular bike. I haven't researched any other carbons and figure if I don't trade up I will just keep my DOlce for a while. Decisions, decisions. Did I mention that on top of everything else I am a plus size rider. Whenever I go to events, I always get those "What the hell are you doing her looks." Still I ride and I do finish, so I figure that's one point in my favor.

[tzvia]

Tough call. Yes the Ruby will ride smoother, aluminum is less forgiving. It has a better component spec. Yes it weighs a few pounds less. I would say, that if you test rode it and it felt better- enough so that maybe you would ride it more or enjoy the ride more and be happier with it, it might be worth the upgrade. These things, only you could qualify/quantify. The differences are not earth shattering. They are subtle. But when I test rode the Dolce and the Ruby (own a Ruby Expert), and a few other bikes, something made me keep coming back to the Ruby. My price range was Dolce, but my heart said Ruby. It just felt better and I reworked my finances so I could own it.

You know, we all make compromises in our lives to juggle our needs and wants and responsibilities. Sometimes, good enough is good enough and we make do. If you are happy with the Dolce (and it sounds like you are) maybe you should stick with it. But if you ride that Ruby, and it's like lightning striking and birds singing and angels winging along side and you really want it, go for it. Yep. Tough call.

[abejita]

Hmmm...i don't know. If the bike is haunting your dreams, I would go for it!

[babynoahsmom]

I am leaning toward not at this time. I will take the Dolce out tonight and see how that goes. You guys have been a great help. I think this is a case of want versus need at this time. That being said when I take her back if they offer me a deal I can't refuse..........I will let ya'll know!

[ms1]

Here's another perspective. I have 2 kids and I work, so in the limited time that I have to ride (a few hours per week, but I'm consistent) , I want to ride what makes me happy.

So, bottom line, if it would make you happy and you can afford it, buy it (of course after you test ride and are sure you like the Ruby better than what you have).

I bought a Trek Madone 4.5 wsd last fall after a ton of test riding and love it. The carbon is much smoother. I also test rode the Ruby Expert and the ride was great, but the fit wasn't quite right for me. But, I know the price for the one you found is a great deal.

[oph4887]

These are some very good points. Here is the deal. My Dolce fits fine. I love her. I walked into the bike store one day and saw the Ruby frame hanging up in the rafters. No wheels, just hanging there. She has haunted my dreams. They still have her and have not managed to sell her yet. It is some promo package or something. It retails for 3800, but I can get her for $2400 with wheels. They will give me 700 trade in on the Dolce. I have her test riding her right now. I went out tonight and rode 15 miles on her. I am going to take the DOlce out tomorrow night and ride the same route so I can compare. She does ride some smoother and does shift smoother. As for riding early, I have a husband that gets up each morning and rides with his gang so thats not gonna happen. I always tell people. I have children, he has a life. (He is a really good guy, I am not complaining.) He rides a Trek Madone BTW. Maybe I have bike envy? There is just something about this particular bike. I haven't researched any other carbons and figure if I don't trade up I will just keep my DOlce for a while. Decisions, decisions. Did I mention that on top of everything else I am a plus size rider. Whenever I go to events, I always get those "What the hell are you doing her looks." Still I ride and I do finish, so I figure that's one point in my favor.

Would you let me know where in Arkansas - I ride a Specialized Dolce Comp 2005 - looking to upgrade to all carbon. There isn't a place in Memphis that carries the bike and I would really like to try it out before purchasing.
Thanks