FS: 2009 Specialized Ruby Expert

[amkipe]

I am selling my wonderful 2009 Specialized Ruby Expert. I bought this bike about 6 months and have about 500 miles on it mostly on the trainer. It is a 51 cm size, red and white, with Shimano Ultegra components. The bike is too big for me. I have had multiple fittings and cannot get it to fit me comfortably. I am 5'1 and definitely was sold by the sales guy. I am asking $2300 OBO as it is a $4000 bike. Let me know if you want some more info. I can also email pics if you are interested. Here is a link to the bike: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...1&menuItemId=0

[emily_in_nc]

My word, that is huge for you. I am 5'2" and have had road bikes in 44 cm (actually a 17.5" Terry), and 48 cm. I have a traditional "WSD" build with long femurs for my height and a short torso. I can't imagine fitting any bike > 48 cm. Of course it all depends on inseam, torso length, arm length, and all that, but at 5'1", you were certainly sold the wrong size bike, as you say.

I think the bike shop should take it back! It's a shame they can get away with selling you a bike that clearly doesn't fit. And then you've had to spend $$ on multiple fittings. That's just wrong, wrong, wrong.

I hope you find a buyer. Posting photos of your actual bike in addition to the link would help a lot. I'm sure it's a lovely bike.

[MaTadams]

Where are you located? I agree that it would be helpful to post some actual pictures of your bike. I'd like to see them. Thanks.

[Bike Chick]

My word, that is huge for you. I am 5'2" and have had road bikes in 44 cm (actually a 17.5" Terry), and 48 cm. I have a traditional "WSD" build with long femurs for my height and a short torso. I can't imagine fitting any bike > 48 cm. Of course it all depends on inseam, torso length, arm length, and all that, but at 5'1", you were certainly sold the wrong size bike, as you say.

I think the bike shop should take it back! It's a shame they can get away with selling you a bike that clearly doesn't fit. And then you've had to spend $$ on multiple fittings. That's just wrong, wrong, wrong.

I hope you find a buyer. Posting photos of your actual bike in addition to the link would help a lot. I'm sure it's a lovely bike.

I agree. I'm 5'3" and couldn't ride more than a 48 cm in that bike. What a shame to have such a beautiful bike and not have it fit you. I hope you can sell it and get another bike that fits. You will be amazed at the difference.

[Catrin]

I am so sorry to read this, I had something of the same experience with my Trek 7.6. I do remember my first fitting at my current LBS when they told me if they just went by my inseam that I would take a 51cm frame, but I can't go > 48cm at most. I fully agree that the shop should take it back! Have you spoken with the owner about this? It is worth the conversation, and in the long run it would pay off for them...These things do get around!

[amkipe]

I will post some of my pics today. I am truly sad to try to sell it but my body just aches when i ride. I am in boise, Idaho. Definitely willing to ship the bike. I will even through in the aero bars that are on it that I bought. I jar need to figure out how to post pics.

[Bluetree]

I think the bike shop should take it back! It's a shame they can get away with selling you a bike that clearly doesn't fit. And then you've had to spend $$ on multiple fittings. That's just wrong, wrong, wrong.

+1.

There is no freaking way you would fit a 51cm bike and the salesman who sold it to you is unethical and unprofessional. Contact the store manager and see if he would (at the very least) allow a trade-in/exchange for a bike your size.

If that doesn't work, go up the food chain and contact Specialized. Let them know that one of their dealers engages in this kind of behavior.

A 51cm bike is not even close to your range.

[Kerry1976]

a 51? Wow, that seems huge to me, too.

I'm 5'0" and I currently ride a 44 and we had to shorten the stem.

Like others, I am really sorry to hear you had this experience. That was simply irresponsible by the bike shop. I hope you still want to ride - this is just the type of stuff that pushes people away from cycling.

[Kerry1976]

+1.

There is no freaking way you would fit a 51cm bike and the salesman who sold it to you is unethical and unprofessional. Contact the store manager and see if he would (at the very least) allow a trade-in/exchange for a bike your size.

If that doesn't work, go up the food chain and contact Specialized. Let them know that one of their dealers engages in this kind of behavior.

A 51cm bike is not even close to your range.

Couldn't agree more!

[nscrbug]

I had a similar experience when I purchased my first road bike, a Trek 2100 WSD. The dealer where I bought it from, put me on a 54cm (I'm 5'6"). I unfortunately, didn't any better and did not realize the bike was too large for me until I had ridden it for an entire season...all the while wondering why it never felt quite "right". I sympathize with your situation and hope that you either find a new home for it, or can talk your dealer into letting you return it for a smaller size.

[limewave]

I had a similar experience when I purchased my first road bike, a Trek 2100 WSD. The dealer where I bought it from, put me on a 54cm (I'm 5'6"). I unfortunately, didn't any better and did not realize the bike was too large for me until I had ridden it for an entire season...all the while wondering why it never felt quite "right". I sympathize with your situation and hope that you either find a new home for it, or can talk your dealer into letting you return it for a smaller size.

I'm 5'6" and wishing I was buying a new 54cm road bike. I tried smaller frame bikes, but I felt like I was up to high in the front or I wanted to keep pushing my rear off the back of the saddle. 56cm was too big. 54 was just right.

Didn't mean to hi-jack the thread. This sounds like a great bike! I'm sure you'll be able to find a buyer for it.

[Bluetree]

It's one thing if a bike is "a little" on the big side. Depending on leg and torso length, adjustments can be made to frames that lie on the farther ends of the scale.

Selling a bike to a newbie that is clearly out of the ballpark is quite another. Any experienced bike seller/fitter/rider would know that it was too big. Trust me, your salesperson knew this. If you bought an '09 bike in late 2010, he was simply trying to get it off his floor, at your expense.

(BTW, you mentioned aerobars. If you are using the bike for tris, your frame could even be a tad smaller than a road set up)

[channlluv]

Man, this salesman really is unethical if that's what he was doing. You absolutely need to contact the store owner and inform him or her what happened, and I'd put it in writing and copy customer service at Specialized, whatever VP is in charge of keeping customers happy. That's the person you want to write a letter to. That will get you some action on this.

Good luck getting a better fitting bike.

Roxy - 5'3.5" and riding a 51cm 2004 Specialized Ruby Comp, wondering now if my numb hands may be because my bike is too big for me

[Crmundt]

Is the 51 measurment from the seat tube or top tube? I sometimes see 2 different calcuations, and can get confused but I have a Specialized now that from the top tube is 50.6 (or 51) and from the seat is 48cm..it fits me perfect and I am 5 '3'. But I happen to be looking for a newer model bike..

Please email pics as soon as you can..and would you be willing to ship? I live in NC
Thanks, Carolyn
crmundt@earthlink.net

[amkipe]

Thank you everybody for your input. I called the bike shop today where I purchased the bike back in June. I talked to the manager and explained everything that has happened (multiple fittings, purchasing of different parts). She wants me to come buy and show her what I am talking about. We shall see what she says. But, the damage has been done and I am now looking to purchase a new bike.

I am still trying to figure out how to post pics in the forum. Any ideas?

https://picasaweb.google.com/1122913...39144203725474

https://picasaweb.google.com/1122913...39146924080626

https://picasaweb.google.com/1122913...39144267911762

https://picasaweb.google.com/1122913...39163872080498