Specialized Ruby vs. BMC Road Racer?

[Ered_Lithui]

Thanks for your responses. Nice to know that not everyone finds the Ruby twitchy. I searched the posts here pretty thoroughly before starting this thread, and that was the only complaint that kept coming up. That makes the "get-up-and-go" the big question, I guess. Hi Ho Silver, what year was your bike made? I'm curious if it's the same geometry as the one I rode.

[Hi Ho Silver]

Thanks for your responses. Nice to know that not everyone finds the Ruby twitchy. I searched the posts here pretty thoroughly before starting this thread, and that was the only complaint that kept coming up. That makes the "get-up-and-go" the big question, I guess. Hi Ho Silver, what year was your bike made? I'm curious if it's the same geometry as the one I rode.

My bike is the 2011 model. As a side note, I found that changing the stock tires to some Continental Gran Prix 4000S tires not only improved the ride quality, it also made the bike "feel" somewhat faster ...but that may be the "halo effect".

[indysteel]

Per Hi Ho's signature line, her Ruby is a 2011.

[gnat23]

Another owner of a recent Ruby, and I *loooove* her for long road rides.

I like to think of it like the different kinds of sports cars: some are speedy and quick and handle well, but aren't actually very comfortable. I rode in my friend's Lotus once, and found it loud, jostling, and not much for frills except the seat belt (but oh that acceleration!). Compare that to a modern BMW that is still zippy and grips the corners, but is so plush and cozy that sometimes you don't realize how fast you're really going, and it's the sports car you'd rather take on a long roadtrip. I'd put the Ruby in the latter category.

-- gnat! (food for thought, and hey! breakfast!)