introducing...... ruby

[caligurl]

i have a bittersweet addition to our stable of bikes....

i had a deposit on a ruby pro since last summer (august)... i FINALLY got in! during the course of my waiting (and my frantic call when i saw posts on here from ladies riding rubys before reading further to realize they weren't the pro) my lbs told me i was #3 on the "list" at specialized to get a 48.. (who was getting 1 & 2???????????)

i had her made up in a triple... i didn't want to not be able to do any of the climbing rides i did last year because i didn't have a triple on it... it's still gorgeous (well.. it looks the same.. just with one more ring in there!) (anyone want to buy a dura-ace double crank 167.5? )

i love the little handlebars with the little flat top! of course bar phat i'm already familiar with and would have gotten no matter what brand bike i got! the pro has a different version than the expert and comp... shorter reach, etc... they are tiny!!!!

i'm 5'3"... and as i said... got the 48... i have no toe overlap.. with a few centimeters to spare! (and to think... when i was planning to have a custom built.. she swore she couldn't make me a 700 cc bike without EXTENSIVE toe overlap! so glad i didn't deal with her!!!!)

i had the stem flipped to the "comfort" position vice the flat racing position. tried it both ways in the store...

the ride is much smoother than on my dolce... really noticeable.. although.. unlike the ladies with the expert and comp versions of the ruby... mine didn't make me any faster! my overall average after my first ride was the same as normal!

i took a couple pics today... but forgot to take my honkin' white water bottle off! so i will take more.... plus... i couldn't use the carbon cages i bought ahead of time.... bottles won't fit (i use 24 oz polars)... so i had to order some side entry ones... i'll have them tomorrow (i ordered arundels... anyone familiar with them? i hope i like them! they look like they will be really nice on the bike!)

i'm undecided about the jett seat.... my tookis is a bit sore... but that could be from not riding for the past several days rather than the saddle itself... i hope.. cuz the saddle looks really purdy on the bike! it didn't start bothering me til the end of the ride (unlike when i attempted to try a butterfly last year and was sore from the first mile!)

i spent the morning at home with brie and the cats (but brie still pouted when i left to go ride!) it turned out to be quite a pretty day (although cool for the desert)

hmmmmm that's all i can think of... i will post pics (cuz i know you are gonna ask! lol!)

OH... i ordinarily ride with a small handlebar bag on my dolce... well i just couldn't put it on ruby yet.... i'm sure eventually i will (like when i do longer rides or centuries)... but she's just so sleek without it!

[Pedal Wench]

Congrats! I do wanna see pictures - soon!

I'm curious about the handlebars - what kind are they? And, what size? I'll need new bars on my new-2-me Colnago. They came with massively large 44 cm bars. I have 38cm's on one of my Bianchis, but they're just off-the-shelf Bontragers.

Pictures - we want pictures!

[caligurl]

they are the handlebars that came on the bike... here is what specialized's site says:

S-Works F.AC.T. Carbon Ergo Women's Handlebar, short-reach drops, ergonomic shaping, 31.8mm clamp

for my size bike.. the handlebars are 400mm... the drop is really shallow... nice... they just look tiny! cute!

[massbikebabe]

YAY!!!!

I love the looks of those...pictures??? Best wishes on your new ride!!


karen

[DirtDiva]

Enjoy your new ride.

[luv'nAustin]

I'm new here and wanted to say... Congratulations caligurl! I am sure you and Ruby will have many wonderful miles together.

karri

[caligurl]

ok.... i took some pics of ruby today...

first... here's one from my maiden "test" ride at the bike shop on wednesday:



then from today:

[caligurl]

arundel sideloader carbon cages



dura-ace hollowtech triple w/speedplay X/1 titanium pedals



this one shows the carbon under the colorcoat:



that's all i got.. cuz it was uber windy.. and it almost blew her over twice... i was standing right next to her and caught her both times.. but decided the wind was trying to tell me something!

[Trekhawk]

Yeeaahhh Caligurl pictures. We love pictures. The bike is beautiful. My husband has a Roubaix and I keep telling him we would look good on a matching pair - hint hint Ruby for me- but he keeps ignoring me

Trekhawk adding Ruby to already long list of bikes to buy when I win Lotto.

[aka_kim]

Very nice. And I really like the bottle cages!

[massbikebabe]

BEAUTIFUL!!

How much were those water bottle cages?? May be of great benefit to me when I ride again.

karen

[caligurl]

Originally Posted by massbikebabe

How much were those water bottle cages?? May be of great benefit to me when I ride again.

39.99 they are Arundel Sideloader Carbon Fiber Water Bottle Cage... i got them from bike world but all the other places i looked were the same price (bike world had better shipping charges)

if you don't need sideloaders.. the arundel dave-o's look gorgeous too! i was thinking of ordering them for hubby to replace the serfas ones he has!

[KatieBelle]

The Ruby Pro is beautiful! Great to have you in the Ruby club Caligurl! I can't wait to get out and ride my Ruby tomorrow.

[Jo-n-NY]

Cali, your bike is simply beautiful. I meant post this from my previous post dolce vs ruby and time just went by.

I wish you much luck with it and many happy riding miles.

It sure is nice putting a face with your posts also.

~JoAnn

[caligurl]

awwww.. thanx!

i did my first organized ride on her last saturday.... i'm still undecided about the saddle! i'm leaning toward not liking it though i could ride centuries on the dolce stock saddle (that is more cushiony) with no problems.... i've been feeling this one.... soooooo i'll give it a few more rides (or at least the ride this weekend!) then i may have to look for another saddle.. or *gasp* put a dolce saddle on her!

she created a bit of a buzz at the ride with a few women... i try to melt into the crowd (believe it or not.. i'm actually shy unless i know someone! i'm not good with meeting new people in person!) but i did ok talking about her when asked! lol! cycling has helped a tiny bit to bring me out of my shell!

at least everything else seemed comfy on her... except the seat! i keep hoping i'll get used to it! it was the longest ride i've done since getting her! and next weekend is longer still!

now i just need to clean up my eating and get prepared for the long, climbing rides this summer! i've been naughty.... and i don't want to haul the few extra pounds up the hills!!!!!! (lost them on the bike and added them to my arse!)