This year model vs last year model?

[Kiwi Stoker]

Don't forget Tiagra had a major upgrade last year..

[kajero]

I am not into bike technicals. I just want a bike to ride. So when I look through posts I don't understand what goes with which bike and what each thing does.

I liked the way the shifters worked with brake on the blue one. That is not available on the pink and black one. But does that really matter?

Are you saying that the lower priced ruby is better?

I don't have much selection in bikes because the sales guy fitted me for a 44 and there aren't too many bikes to pick from at that size. I will be taking it for a long test ride before I actually put the money on the table. I took a test ride today on a different bike today but was so nervous and tired (Long fast ride this morning) that I kept shaking and just went up the street. I'll be better with one I think will be mine.

Oh, my significant other thinks the blue bike is very pretty.

[pll]

Hi kajero,

I'd say for bikes priced the same, go with the better components. It seems that blue one is the one with better components and you liked how the shifters worked (go for it!).

It's all guesses for us not knowing what you are looking at... from your description, it sounds to me like these two:

2012 Ruby compact carbon/pink with Tiagra
2011 Ruby compact in blue/white

The latter has Shimano 105 and the carbon/pink has Shimano Tiagra. 105 will be better quality and lighter than the Tiagra set. The wheels on the blue one will also be better than on the black one. Yes, you could swap the components later, but that is a pricey proposition.

Anyway, a new bike is very nice. Ultimately, what matters is how the bike feels and rides.

[smittykitty]

2011 BLUE is better quality, has more upgrades than Apex or Tiagra (pink).

Besides, the color is Assume! Done deal. Glad we could help! (so long as it fits, of course).

Enjoy!!! New bikes are so much fun.

[kajero]

Well,

I didn't buy either bike. I fell in love with 2012 model of the "blue" bike and bought that. It's a really pretty whie and blue bike. My SO can't understand why I would pay so much for color. Uhm . . . I am not so sure I know why I did. I spent way more than I intended and am still trying to justify it. I don't know if I ride enough to have something that fancy.

My co-worker named the bike, "WEP" for "Worth Every Penney" and my biking friend added "On" to the end so now the name is WEPON! Altough I don't think I will use it that way.

I wish the nice riding season in Minnesota wasn't so short. Hopefully this year I will get to enjoy all of it. Last year I broke my hand in August and that pretty much ended the season for me.

Thanks everyone for the wonderful advice. Funny though . . . I didn' buy either bike discussed.

[smittykitty]

Well first of all, blue is my favorite color! Helped me buy more bike than I intended. You made a great choice. I'm sure you paid more because you got better upgrades. Better upgrades mean a more pleasurable ride. Lots of little things that add up to quite a jump up in the quality of your ride. When you are more comfortable and your bike handles and rides better, you will enjoy riding a lot more.

And who knows, you may have just saved yourself a bunch of money! My husband and I are on our 3rd set of bikes. If we would have just started out with better bikes in the beginning, we would have been dollars ahead.

See, its not what you spent, its what you saved!

I just used my REI dividend today to upgrade my bike computer to add cadence. A couple of years ago, I couldn't have imagined caring about my cadence. We've upgraded from toe cages on our pedals (skip that one) to mountain bike shoes and pedals to road bike shoes and pedals (could never have imagined being one of "those" people. Oh, and the cheapo bike shorts to much better ones.

You were smart, you avoided a couple of bike upgrades. Now get busy figuring out what accessories you and your bike need. Enjoy.

[pll]

Pictures of "Wep", please...

[Marquise]

I wish the nice riding season in Minnesota wasn't so short. Hopefully this year I will get to enjoy all of it. Last year I broke my hand in August and that pretty much ended the season for me.

As a Wisconsin rider I feel compelled to note that while the nice riding season may be short, with the right gear you can ride a lot longer. Hope you enjoy many happy miles on the new bike.

[rivergal]

The Ruby Apex 2012 looks like the white with blue that you bought. Very lovely bike.

I'm a bit lae, but I'll add my story on color and features. My entry bike was a Felt ZW100 that looks-wise, was purty - white with light gray and lavender accents. Mmmmm-mmmm. But, aluminum frame and a Sora/Tiagra mix. So I was looking to upgrade, despite the bike lust.

Over the years I never liked the fat down tube on Cannondales, and always liked white over graphite gray for color. That said, I picked up a carbon Synapse frame that had been spray painted black after being stolen from the original owner on eBay last year. Yep, Cannondale and after taking off the paint, graphite gray with Egyptian Blue. Scrimpted and haunted the LBS's, online stores, and eBay and built her out last fall.

When I got on her for the first ride, it was true love. I love her color now, and completely love the ride. Cinders fits me like my Felt never did.

Hope you have a great time with your WEPON, and be sure to share pics!