Ruby or Amira?

[Owlie]

The carbon on the Amira is definitely a harsher ride (though only marginally so, IMO) than the Ruby. If you have decent pavement, I don't think you'll notice. (On the other hand, you're in northern OH, and if it's anything like Cleveland's pavement...) It's also going to be stiffer. I rode the entry-level model because they didn't have anything else in my size. I'm also between sizes in the Amira (51 or 54). The cornering on the Amira is also going to be better, generally speaking, than the Ruby, but it will also feel twitchier if you were to ride them one after the other.

The Ruby would be great for a century. So would the Amira, I think, but a lot of that depends on how comfortable you are.

FWIW, the Amira's on the short list for my next bike. My lower back much prefers a little more stretch.

[gnat23]

It's not just geometry, too, there's also the style of the carbon. I know that the Amira is designed to be SUPER stiff, so that every single twitch you make gets translated into forward motion. Think of a how a super-tight-suspension sports car goes over a speed bump and you have an idea of the difference in comfort on the road.

I have a carbon Crux that is the stiffest thing I have ever ridden in my life. It's fast and nimble and aggressive and all those wonderful racing adjectives, but it is NOT comfortable. I personally would not ride more than an hour on it.

My Ruby is perfect for centuries. "Plush" is not quite the right word, but that'd be my bike of choice when I'm out to enjoy the views and smell the roses. My husband, on the other hand, is quite flexible and loves the aggressive geometries; he has no problem doing Deathride on an over-built Tarmac (Amira) with deep dish rims and somehow doesn't get blown off the side of the road and never complains a word.

So, it's back to your decision on what you want.

-- gnat!

[TigerMom]

You can also get the "lower" Amira Elite and upgrade your wheelset instead of buying the Amira SL4.

I chose the Amira over the Ruby because my back felt kinda hunched over on the Ruby. I felt that I had better handling with the Amira. I did not feel any difference in plush riding of the Ruby compared to the Amira. Even though I am 5ft1in with short legs, my long torso preferred the 48cm Amira.

As to carbon stiffness of the frames, 11R has stiffer carbon than the 8R. Thus, 11R can translate your pedaling speed to your bike better than the 8R (which, of course, also means that your 11R bike will be a little "twitchier"). Although I did not test ride the more expensive Amiras (due to my lower budget), the Specialized sales representatives said that the 11R carbon is stiff laterally but still compliant vertically....which means that although the 11R is stiff for pedaling strength, it should still NOT cause a harsh ride.

[Caren]

The carbon on the Amira is definitely a harsher ride (though only marginally so, IMO) than the Ruby. If you have decent pavement, I don't think you'll notice. (On the other hand, you're in northern OH, and if it's anything like Cleveland's pavement...)

Yeah, I was in Cleveland for the test rides, I'm actually between Cleveland and Toledo so it's better here but not by much. It's Ohio, the seasons are cold and orange cone. ; ) I was really checking out the pavement on my ride today, not down right awful, but I've really only got a few super smooth rides. Nothing that will knock your fillings out though.

It's not just geometry, too, there's also the style of the carbon. I know that the Amira is designed to be SUPER stiff, so that every single twitch you make gets translated into forward motion. Think of a how a super-tight-suspension sports car goes over a speed bump and you have an idea of the difference in comfort on the road.

My Ruby is perfect for centuries. "Plush" is not quite the right word, but that'd be my bike of choice when I'm out to enjoy the views and smell the roses. My husband, on the other hand, is quite flexible and loves the aggressive geometries; he has no problem doing Deathride on an over-built Tarmac (Amira) with deep dish rims and somehow doesn't get blown off the side of the road and never complains a word.

See and this is what has me still on the fence. I like quick fast rides during the week because I'm limited on time, on the weekends though I still don't normally ride more than three hours but I know our roads aren't the greatest and at 32, I'm only getting older and stiffer in the mornings when I get up. I just wish I could take it out for like an hour to really get a good idea, but understandably so, the shop doesn't seem to want you gone more than 20 minutes or so. I know there's just no way to tell if something that is awesome for 20 minutes will be awesome for 3 hours without of course actually riding it for three hours. I don't suppose there is anyway to compare them, theoretically anyways, to my current bike? For the "jarring" factor anyways.

You can also get the "lower" Amira Elite and upgrade your wheelset instead of buying the Amira SL4.

I chose the Amira over the Ruby because my back felt kinda hunched over on the Ruby. I felt that I had better handling with the Amira. I did not feel any difference in plush riding of the Ruby compared to the Amira. Even though I am 5ft1in with short legs, my long torso preferred the 48cm Amira.

As to carbon stiffness of the frames, 11R has stiffer carbon than the 8R. Thus, 11R can translate your pedaling speed to your bike better than the 8R (which, of course, also means that your 11R bike will be a little "twitchier"). Although I did not test ride the more expensive Amiras (due to my lower budget), the Specialized sales representatives said that the 11R carbon is stiff laterally but still compliant vertically....which means that although the 11R is stiff for pedaling strength, it should still NOT cause a harsh ride.

The guy I dealt with basically said the same thing but you are very right, upgrading the wheels on the lower of the two would be a great idea! I didn't even think of that. I felt a little squished on the Ruby, but like I had a little more room on the Amira, I guess all of the angles and the geometry are still confusing for me. I couldn't figure out why that would be if they were the same size, until I looked at all the numbers, and honestly wondered if I had imagined it.

[TigerMom]

Yeah, I was in Cleveland for the test rides, I'm actually between Cleveland and Toledo so it's better here but not by much. It's Ohio, the seasons are cold and orange cone. ; ) I was really checking out the pavement on my ride today, not down right awful, but I've really only got a few super smooth rides. Nothing that will knock your fillings out though.



See and this is what has me still on the fence. I like quick fast rides during the week because I'm limited on time, on the weekends though I still don't normally ride more than three hours but I know our roads aren't the greatest and at 32, I'm only getting older and stiffer in the mornings when I get up. I just wish I could take it out for like an hour to really get a good idea, but understandably so, the shop doesn't seem to want you gone more than 20 minutes or so. I know there's just no way to tell if something that is awesome for 20 minutes will be awesome for 3 hours without of course actually riding it for three hours. I don't suppose there is anyway to compare them, theoretically anyways, to my current bike? For the "jarring" factor anyways.



The guy I dealt with basically said the same thing but you are very right, upgrading the wheels on the lower of the two would be a great idea! I didn't even think of that. I felt a little squished on the Ruby, but like I had a little more room on the Amira, I guess all of the angles and the geometry are still confusing for me. I couldn't figure out why that would be if they were the same size, until I looked at all the numbers, and honestly wondered if I had imagined it.

Same size Ruby and Amira have different top tube lengths which is why they say that Ruby is more of an endurance bike and the Amira is more of a race bike. But, since I have a long torso, feeling hunched over on the Ruby was kinda uncomfortable (yes, you can feel the those few mm differences in top tube lengths which is why a good bike fitter is important ). In fact, my short legs should have led me to a 44cm Amira, but my long torso preferred the 48cm Amira which is what I ultimately bought and rode a century on. Since you are spending so much money, you might want to rent the Amira and then ask the shop to put your rental credit amount towards the Amira bike if you end up buying (that's what my Specialized bike shop does).

Also, I don't know if it is true or not, but people say that upgrading your wheelset makes you feel like you upgraded your bike.

[Caren]

That's genius!! I didn't know you could do that! That just solved all of my nagging little problems and I've already sent an email to the guy at the shop that was helping me. I'd hug you through the computer if that was possible and wouldn't be really awkward.

[Owlie]

I lived in Cleveland for 4 years (and I bought my Avail up there). I'm all too familiar with the pavement!

Yes, the TT on the Amira is longer. I'm short-torsoed, but I have longish arm and my back prefers a little more stretch. The Amira felt better to me.

See if you have a Specialized dealer with a well-developed trail network nearby. There's a better chance to be able to rent bikes at those places.

[indysteel]

I lived in Cleveland for 4 years (and I bought my Avail up there). I'm all too familiar with the pavement!

Yes, the TT on the Amira is longer. I'm short-torsoed, but I have longish arm and my back prefers a little more stretch. The Amira felt better to me.

See if you have a Specialized dealer with a well-developed trail network nearby. There's a better chance to be able to rent bikes at those places.

I could have sworn that the Ruby has a longer TT than the Amira in a size 48 (522 mm on the Ruby compared to to 506 mm on the Amira), but the Amira has a shorter headtube, so I assume that's where you're feeling the extra stretch.

[TigerMom]

I could have sworn that the Ruby has a longer TT than the Amira in a size 48 (522 mm on the Ruby compared to to 506 mm on the Amira), but the Amira has a shorter headtube, so I assume that's where you're feeling the extra stretch.

Weird! I called Specialized to confirm this and they do agree that the Ruby has a longer top tube but the Amira has the racing geometry for a more stretched out (less upright position...which is why I thought that the Amira had the longer toptube length).

All I can say is that I felt hunched on the Ruby, but that I am wrong about the top tube length.