Amira vs Ruby

[TigerMom]

As everyone above has said, take your budget into consideration. Obviously, the higher end the bike with the better wheelset will get you a lighter bike that climbs up hills. Personally, if your husband has a $5000 custom road bike, then maybe you should too

Also, as everyone has said, the "engine"/rider is the most important part of climbing up the hills.

I personally liked the Amira better because I felt the handling was less ackward than the Ruby. When my LBS weighed the Ruby/Amira with similar components in front of me, the Ruby was 1/2 pound heavier. But, maybe you should rent the Ruby/Amira for a day and ride your hills. Most LBS will credit back the rental price to your bike purchase.

We can't wait to read what you end up choosing!

____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[ny biker]

Personally, if your husband has a $5000 custom road bike, then maybe you should too

Either that, or you get to spend ($5000 - cost of bike) on cycling clothes whether you need them or not.

[MGM]

I wouldn't look at it as which is lighter-therefore-the-better climber. I'd look to see which one has more comfortable geometry for your body type. I tried quite a few road bikes, both aluminum and carbon, and for me it was love at first ride on the Ruby. The Amira had me too stretched out, and I felt more road vibration on it. Some people like to feel the tranmission of the road through their bike. I loved the feel I got on the Ruby Comp, so I bought it. I really liked the Ultegra components, too.

Traditionally speaking, though, the more stretched out racing type frames are considered better for climbing because you have more of your weight over the front end. It is not the weight of the bike so much. If you want to make your bike lighter, as others said wheels make a big difference as does the component group. Most hardcore roadies upgrade their wheel set from the stock ones.

I've been taking a friend of mine shopping for road bikes, and last week he tried a Roubaix (men's version) along with some other bikes. After testing he loved the Roubaix, but there was something I noticed that I haven't seen with any of the other bikes he tried. He looked like he was just gliding on air, almost floaty. I don't know how else to explain it. When we ride together he's commented that I look like I'm just gliding, smooth and effortless. I had no idea what he was talking about until I saw him on the Roubaix. He got that same feeling from an Orbea as well, though I couldn't see it on that bike. The salesman (a knowledgable one ) did tell him that the Roubaix would feel a little bit heavier than some of the other carbon frames, until he got going. Then that would disappear. It did. Coming from a mountain bike where he averages 12 mph he went whizzing down the road at 25mph!

I really do love my Ruby. It's a much better/faster bike that its rider, lol. Try them all out and see what feels best to you. Try to ride up some inclines in the area to get a feel for the bike's climbing abilities. It may be that the Amira is more what your looking for, or the Madone, or even some other brand/model.

[tlnbmd]

oh boy, liked them all.
Today I tried the Trek Madone 3.2 (did not have the 5.2 in my size) felt very much like the Ruby but weighing less.
The Felt bike was light and fun to ride but they put me in to a 45 cm, felt ok but I just can't get over how tiny that sounds.
I took a 48 in the Specialized, 50 in Trek and now a petie 45 in Felt?.

Does Felt run big?

I am going to try another Felt dealer to see if they agree. I thought the small frame fit ok too...a tad of a reach but not bad. They said they could move the seat forward.
I am getting quite the work out and education trying all these different bikes.
I wish they had a rental program where you can rent them for a few days at a time.

[Koronin]

I don't know anything about the Felt Z series which is what I'm guessing you are testing instead of the F series. I own a 48cm F-5 which I love. The F series does not have a WSD version. For comparison I would ride a 44cm Specialized and a 47cm Trek. Hope that helps you a bit.

[ny biker]

oh boy, liked them all.
Today I tried the Trek Madone 3.2 (did not have the 5.2 in my size) felt very much like the Ruby but weighing less.
The Felt bike was light and fun to ride but they put me in to a 45 cm, felt ok but I just can't get over how tiny that sounds.
I took a 48 in the Specialized, 50 in Trek and now a petie 45 in Felt?.

Does Felt run big?

I am going to try another Felt dealer to see if they agree. I thought the small frame fit ok too...a tad of a reach but not bad. They said they could move the seat forward.
I am getting quite the work out and education trying all these different bikes.
I wish they had a rental program where you can rent them for a few days at a time.

If they think you move the seat forward when the reach is too far, they don't know about bike fit.

[Jo-n-NY]

If they think you move the seat forward when the reach is too far, they don't know about bike fit.

+1 very true!!!

[tlnbmd]

I rode the Scott Contessa Foil today and loved it!
I think after the long search I have finally found THE BIKE.
They fit me for the XXS 47 I am 5'2 1/2
Although that number sounded small it fit perfect. It felt stable and fast, did a quick small hill and it was responsive and fun.
I will probably pick it up tomorrow.
Yipeeee.
Any comments from those who are familiar with this bike?
I don't know anything about the manufacturer but I do see these bikes around here.
Thanks
Terry

[TigerMom]

Is it the purple and black Scott Contessa Foil 2012 with Ultegra? If it is, I LOVE that paint job....very jealous since I am a purple type of gal!!!

Just make sure that you get a certified bike fitting and that the handlebars are also made of carbon (since you are spending a hefty sum of money). The carbon handlebars decrease vibration to your hands.

If you fall in love at first ride, this is probably the bike for you.
____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[tlnbmd]

The bike shop spent 20 min measuring and asking me questions before even taking the bike out for me to see it. Then they adjusted the bike to my measurements. I took it for a few spins, love it. I am going back tomorrow to ride it again and up a nearby hill. It was raining off and on today so I did not want to venture too far. The bike shop was friendly and appear to be well informed. (They were the first rest stop for the Gran Fondo held in NYC last week. My husband rode in that ride and did well as well as several of our friends. It was a well run bike ride!)
The paint job is fabulous on this bike, it is almost a violet highlight against charcoal/black.
I can't wait to try it on a hill.
Terry

[tlnbmd]

Did 17 very hilly miles, i think I got the hang of the new gearing.
The hills were brutal, not so so sure now about a century. May be a half century.
A quarter? These mountains are so humbling
I thought Westchester was hilly. Oh boy
I have to say it was weeeeeeeeeeee going own in a tuck. That's new for me.
What a blast!

[ny biker]

Did 17 very hilly miles, i think I got the hang of the new gearing.
The hills were brutal, not so so sure now about a century. May be a half century.
A quarter? These mountains are so humbling
I thought Westchester was hilly. Oh boy
I have to say it was weeeeeeeeeeee going own in a tuck. That's new for me.
What a blast!

If you're in the Catskills, they are definitely mountains, not hills.

Remind me, where is the century? Is there info available about the ride profile and total miles climbed? That could help with your decision.

[tlnbmd]

ok, decided to do 50 miles in the Golden Apple in Sept 2012.
(Westchester Cycle Club New York)
Anyone in the area interested in training together? 10-14 mph and a newbie on a road bike.
Terry
Westchester, NY

[deanywalker21]

I just had to put a plug in for the Ruby. Mine is a 2008 Ruby Comp with a triple. I know they have made some changes to the bike since I got mine but mine handles well, climbs well and it felt "right" from the very first ride. I am finding the Specialized line to fit me better then the other brands. Might be part of the test ride set up the bike shops are doing. Should I find a reason for a new bike sometime in the future I will start with the Specialized and everything else will have to fight for my affection. <G>

[jyyanks]

oh boy, liked them all.
Today I tried the Trek Madone 3.2 (did not have the 5.2 in my size) felt very much like the Ruby but weighing less.
The Felt bike was light and fun to ride but they put me in to a 45 cm, felt ok but I just can't get over how tiny that sounds.
I took a 48 in the Specialized, 50 in Trek and now a petie 45 in Felt?.

Does Felt run big?

I am going to try another Felt dealer to see if they agree. I thought the small frame fit ok too...a tad of a reach but not bad. They said they could move the seat forward.
I am getting quite the work out and education trying all these different bikes.
I wish they had a rental program where you can rent them for a few days at a time.

Did you go to Hastings Velo for the Felt. I noticed on your other thread that you live in Westchester. Hastings Velo carries Felt bikes and i ve fiund them to be very helpful