Considering a Ruby Compact with Sora

[mamakass]

Great to hear... thanks MGM

[mamakass]

Great help guys - thanks for the responses... just went out and further confused myself by riding a Felt ZW5... I do think the Carbon is the way to go for these tired ol' bones and NOW I see why people pay more for the slicker components...this bike had Tiagra and even newbie me could tell the difference from the Sora. So - Felt vs Specialized... any opinions?

[MGM]

Which frameset had the more comfortable fit for you?

This ^^ is all-important!

Felts are great bikes also, that was actually my second choice. They're a little cheaper than Specialized, so you get more bang for your buck. But in the end, you will be buying one bike, you should go with the one you love riding.

Nicer components DO ride better. Which is how I ended up with Ultegra when I originally went in to buy SRAM...try the Ruby with the next level up components to see if it's the bike you like better or the groupset.

I look at it as it was cheaper to get the bike I really loved to ride, than to keep getting upgrade-itis...

[mamakass]

I'm actually having a hard time telling which is more comfortable for my body. when I come back from a test spin they always say "well, we can push the seat forward or change out that stem" I think the specialized might have fit better... just not really sure.
BTW the Felt was listed at $1750 but think they may come down a little... I am also thinking now that I have a better idea of what I want that i should consider buying used. How hard is it to get the right bike, in good condition, for a decent price?

[luvmyguys]

I'm actually having a hard time telling which is more comfortable for my body. when I come back from a test spin they always say "well, we can push the seat forward or change out that stem" I think the specialized might have fit better... just not really sure.
BTW the Felt was listed at $1750 but think they may come down a little... I am also thinking now that I have a better idea of what I want that i should consider buying used. How hard is it to get the right bike, in good condition, for a decent price?

So if the Ruby's are on sale, what would a Ruby with higher end components cost? It might not be any more expensive than the Felt.

$1450 for that Ruby is a GREAT price. And I have loved (loved loved loved) my Ruby.

FWIW, my husband tried a similar Felt (in a men's/unisex) and a Roubaix (the men's/unisex bike the Ruby was based on), and he liked the ride on the Roubaix better.

In terms of used, I think it depends on your size and where you live. I haven't noticed any screaming deals on my local Craigslist, and my size (44 cm) is so hard to find anyway that I wasn't going to have much luck. You might have better luck.

[Owlie]

It depends on your city and the cycling community there. Here in Dayton, the used bike market is terrible. In a few of the close-by larger cities, it's better, with the capital being better than the other city to the south. It seems like most of the used bike market in either place is for HUGE bikes.

[MGM]

Though finding a good used bike might not be too difficult, I think that finding the RIGHT used bike, what you want and in your size, could be very difficult! In my case, not too many people (if any) are selling their Rubies with higher end components in a 54cm size. In fact, I had to drive two states away to even try one with Ultegra in my size. I just couldn't judge how comfortable I'd ultimately be by trying the smaller frames that the shops had, and didn't want to commit to ordering the larger size when I wasn't sure what components I wanted.

People sell their bikes usually to upgrade, so lower end bikes are easier to find. And certain types of bikes - hybrids, mountain bikes, are more prevalent in the used market.

But once again, if you are getting a carbon frame for under $1500 it's a steal!

[MGM]

So if the Ruby's are on sale, what would a Ruby with higher end components cost? It might not be any more expensive than the Felt.

$1450 for that Ruby is a GREAT price. And I have loved (loved loved loved) my Ruby.

FWIW, my husband tried a similar Felt (in a men's/unisex) and a Roubaix (the men's/unisex bike the Ruby was based on), and he liked the ride on the Roubaix better.

.

I took my BF road bike shopping, and after many bikes the one he liked the best was also the Roubaix. He ended up buying a Specialized Tarmac APEX because the clearance price was too good to pass up. He had always told me I looked like I was gliding effortlessly on my Ruby, and until I saw him ride the Roubaix I didn't quite understand what he meant. He went by me looking like he was floating on air. There's a special quality to the Ruby/Roubaix ride.

[mamakass]

This is all very helpful. The Felt sales person is a very cool woman/triathlete/ironman who was one of the coaches in my Tri training. She used that gizmo that measures your leg angle...but didn't use any tools to diagnose the arms/reach. I told her I thought the angle of the Felt gave my neck some strain and I wasn't sure that i had enough bend in my elbow when on the hoods. More comfortable in the drops. This bike is called a M which she said was about a 52. I am 5'5 1/2" formerly 5'6", and think i have pretty average length legs/arms/torso for my height. I tried out both the 51 and the 54 Specialized and I think the 54 is a little better - we had the seat WAY up in the 51. I will take your advice and go back and try the specialized Ruby with the next level components but now it's getting really pricey!

I don't get the impression that the KC used bike market is too great.
thanks again

[azfiddle]

I love my 2010 Ruby, with 105 components. My first bike had Sora front, Tiagra back and the 105 was much better. If there is any way to upgrade to the 105- the cost over the life of the bike will be minimal compared to how you will feel on the bike. BTW, I am 5'1" and ride a 44, which fits me great.