Thinking about buying a Specialized Ruby Comp

[li10up]

I currently have a Specialized Allez (triple) and think I want to move up to the Ruby Comp. Those of you who have that bike, what do you think? Is it a good bike for the price? Any input is appreciated.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Are you shorter than 5'5" with shorter than 30" standover height?

[li10up]

I'm 5' 5.5" with a 30 in. inseam. I recently test road, briefly, a Specialized Ruby Pro and it was really nice. The Specialized rep recommended a Ruby Comp since it was more inline with my price range. My LBS is a Specialized dealer. When I bought my Allez all they did for fit was check standover height. They only tried one bike on me. So, I'm a little leary of going back to them - at least until I know which bike to get. I do like to support the shop since they are the only one we have. So I'm trying to find out as much as I can before I buy. Plus they give free tune-ups for a year if you buy from them. I guess it really showed that I was a newb the first time so they just stuck me on a bike. It works pretty well but I have some minor pains that I'm starting to think are due to fit. Anyhow...just looking for some input.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The only reason I mention this is because i was at a bike shop last week that happened to have a Ruby Comp on the floor and I tried it out of curiousity.
I am 5'5" with a 30" pbh (pubic bone height).
The bike was marked "Women's L" (with a Specialized sticker on the frame) for Large and under that it was marked 54cm.
The top tube was several inches below my crotch when standing over it, and when sitting on the bike my knees were WAY bent too much- too much even for higher saddle height to fix I'd say. The reach to the bars seemed fine, but the bike felt overall substancially too small for me. I asked about the size, and the LBS guy said it was women's Large and if I wanted anything larger I would have to go to a Specialized "Roubaix" bike instead of the Ruby Comp (not sure of spelling there). Now I don't know if he was telling me some bs line or not, maybe they DO make Ruby comps larger than that. But I thought i'd just pass this experience along, and especially since you and I seem to be EXACTLY the same size. Don't let anyone sell you a bike frame that doesn't fit to begin with. Other stuff and details can be tweaked, but frame size cannot.
I ride a 54cm Rivendell by the way, which feels like a much bigger bike to me than this 54 RubyC. All bike brands have different geometrys and need to be actually tested by yourself in person.

[Aggie_Ama]

Where do you live? I would be a bit hesistant if they put you on a bike that didn't fit. Does your Allez fit?

How much does a Ruby Comp run? It is comparable to my bike, I just haven't priced one.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Looking at the Specialized site, I see that they do offer the ruby comp in both 54 and 56cm sizes. The 54 seemed a bit small for me, and I am your exact height and pubic bone height. You should at least try a 56cm as well if you are going to shell out that kind of money. Get the LBS to check out your leg/knee positions in particular. You do NOT want knee pain and problems due to not being able to straighten your leg enough while riding.
Another note- the Specialized "Roubaix" is a man's bike and I notice that the top tube length is substancially longer for the very same size bike compared to the Ruby comp women's bike they make. So if you are also proportioned like me you might want to consider avoiding that longer reach on their man's Roubaix bike. I have a non women's specific Rivendell and I've had to do some tweaking to make the reach more comfortable, and it may well be impossible to get it perfect.