Fifty Plus (50+) - Picking up my new bike tonight!

Bike shop called yesterday. Bike is built and ready for me to get a fitting and take her home. I'm scooting early from work to get there with plenty of time for getting "dialed in." Already have riding dates for Saturday and Sunday (I'm a social rider...) I'm stoked!!

Please keep your fingers crossed for good weather this weekend in No. Cal.

:D:D:D

Bike shop called yesterday. Bike is built and ready for me to get a fitting and take her home. I'm scooting early from work to get there with plenty of time for getting "dialed in." Already have riding dates for Saturday and Sunday (I'm a social rider...) I'm stoked!!

Please keep your fingers crossed for good weather this weekend in No. Cal.

:D:D:D

Congrats & don't forget PICs

Whoo Hoo.......

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

Don't forget pics

Isn't it a great feeling having a new bike? :D

I took mine out for a 9 mile spin around town yesterday with a bunch of college students holding a ride for alternative transportation.
Tomorrow I'm taking it to the best MTB trails in the area for a real test. Then sunday I'm going to another good trail system.

Between TruF and her new road bike, me and my new mountain bike and Yen and her hubby testing new road bikes, this forum will be full of pictures and reviews by Monday! Wonder how many more new bikes will come later as a response. :)

Forecast for Sunday-Rain- wind and cold.

Sorry- that is for here.

Forecast for Sunday-Rain- wind and cold.

Sorry- that is for here.
Is that a problem? ;)

For here it will be 68 and partly cloudy Saturday, 70 and sunny Sunday.

Enjoy the new ride!

I love new bikes....just wish I were getting one:(

Forecast for Sunday-Rain- wind and cold.

Sorry- that is for here.

We're having a regular heat wave here.....40F, 14 mph winds, no rain or snow!
The bike is coming off the trainer and out to the road.

Congratulations. My new dream bike ought to be here sometime in the first half of March.

So, wha'd ya get?

We're up to a sunny 36 here right now. It feels really warm outside! I walked a couple of blocks to get a sandwich for lunch in my short sleeve shirt.

Looking forward to reading TruF's reports on her new bike.

Forecast for Sunday-Rain- wind and cold.

Sorry- that is for here.

11 degrees in Boston this morning, more snow on the way tonight, I know the weather will be better in California. Enjoy the rides on the new machine.

So...............what do you think your going to want to look at for your next bike..............:D

A bitter 68 F here in N. California. :D

WHERE IS THE REPORT?!?!

Here she is: My new 2007 Ruby Expert Triple. Took her out for a ride around the neighborhood. Like butter! No nerve-wracking vibrations. But it was kind of funny that it just sounds different from my hybrid. I rode through some water and the tires picked up some gravel. And I could *hear* the gravel! Never heard anything like that before. And the hills around our home seem much easier. The real test will be on Sunday when we take our 30 mile ride. I'm in love. The LBS fitted her with platform pedals for now. I'll swap them out for clipless after I get used to riding a road bike. Don't think it will take too long. :)

Looks like you got quite a deal.

Going from a 7.2 FX to a Ruby Expert is a very impressive jump!

I bet you are going to have a blast on Sunday.

Does your bike get spoiled like my new Roubaix & spend the first week in the living room? :D At first the wife wanted to know what I was doing & I said; I'm not leaving this bike in the garage. ;)

Does your bike get spoiled like my new Roubaix & spend the first week in the living room? :D At first the wife wanted to know what I was doing & I said; I'm not leaving this bike in the garage. ;)
As you can see from the pic, Ruby was in the house. I don't think my husband would mind if I kept the Ruby in the house, but is there an easy way to clean off the tires first? :p

Looks like you got quite a deal.

Going from a 7.2 FX to a Ruby Expert is a very impressive jump!

I bet you are going to have a blast on Sunday.
Always have been an over-achiever, especially when the impressive jump is a 2007 closeout. And men aren't the only ones who like their toys. :p

Always have been an over-achiever, especially when the impressive jump is a 2007 closeout. And men aren't the only ones who like their toys. :p

That's a good looking bike & you are an artistic photographer too. I bet you will feel like flying Sunday on your new bike, & 30 miles will be too short for you;)

Yeah, I know I'm an old guy, but it just seems odd to me that someone would buy a bike already assembled, complete, from a bike shop.

My first road bike was like that, back in '68, but ever since it's been a matter of buying the frame and fork, then installing the components one by one . . . until eventually (a few days, a week, several months later) a complete bike emerges from the collection of parts.

Usually, after a year or two, the bike evolves from what was originally imagined and assembled, based on the rides it does and new parts that are introduced.

But to just walk in a buy a bike . . . complete and fully assembled (which means you pretty much have to trust the component choices of the manufacturer); that just seems odd to me.

Of course, when I buy a car, or most anything else, it's complete and assembled. It just seems strange (to me) to buy a bicycle that way!

Rick / OCRR

In this particular case, her final assembled cost is well below a build price. Even the list price isn't bad, and she got a big discount due to it being an '07.

As to parts quality, nearly the entire bike is full Ultegra on a full carbon frame and carbon crankset, for close to $2000. List price on the buildset alone is over $2000.

Yeah, I know I'm an old guy, but it just seems odd to me that someone would buy a bike already assembled, complete, from a bike shop.

My first road bike was like that, back in '68, but ever since it's been a matter of buying the frame and fork, then installing the components one by one . . . until eventually (a few days, a week, several months later) a complete bike emerges from the collection of parts.

Usually, after a year or two, the bike evolves from what was originally imagined and assembled, based on the rides it does and new parts that are introduced.

But to just walk in a buy a bike . . . complete and fully assembled (which means you pretty much have to trust the component choices of the manufacturer); that just seems odd to me.

Of course, when I buy a car, or most anything else, it's complete and assembled. It just seems strange (to me) to buy a bicycle that way!

Rick / OCRR

Maybe my next bike! (I've already got "bike tools and bike repair stand" on my birthday wish-list.) You should also enter this post here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=392737 :)

Building bikes is a great way to go if you have the time, talent, knowledge, tools, desire and access to good parts at good prices. It can also be an expensive way to go, especially compared to a closeout price on last year's bike. Buying a complete bike can be a good way to go for many people. You can always customize the bike later by replacing parts.

Nice bike!

Congratulations on bringing your new bike home! I've been anxiously awaiting the report and pictures. I don't blame you for keeping it in the house.

Enjoy your rides this weekend if the weather holds up! :)

Jen

As you can see from the pic, Ruby was in the house. I don't think my husband would mind if I kept the Ruby in the house, but is there an easy way to clean off the tires first? :p

That should a normal part of your Bike Butler's job.

Thanks, everyone!!! I'll give another report after my next couple of rides. And I'm sure I'll have a bunch of questions to entertain you with my road bike newbie-ness.

Here's another pic from the doting mother.

TruF,

Very nice bike. Do you mind if I ask what size is that bike? And what is your height? I'm going to buy a road bike for my SO.

Thanks,
R

Here's another pic from the doting mother.

It looks like it's looking out the window at the sunlight and wanting to go out there and ride....

Tru, is your seat level with the bars? What kind of adjustments were necessary to get the fitting just right?

As you can see from the pic, Ruby was in the house. I don't think my husband would mind if I kept the Ruby in the house, but is there an easy way to clean off the tires first? :p


For dry dirt and sand, I usually hold the bike by the stem so the front wheel is elevated, spin the front wheel forward and touch the spinning tire with the palm of my riding glove to knock the sand and dirt off the tire.
Then I lift the rear of the bike by holding the seat and spin the rear wheel backwards, being cafeful not to let the pedals hit me as the crank turns with the wheel. If you spin the rear wheel forward, the dirt will go onto the bike. Not good.

Very pretty Truf congratulations. It sounds like they may put the same tires on the Ruby as I had on the Roubaix. The rubber was so soft that I could hear pebbles bouncing off the down tube all the time. I got a flat and that was from a little pebble, so I changed them out and put Continental 4 seasons on the bike and I think they are much better.

I'm going to buy a road bike for my SO.

Be sure to take them shopping with you. Nothing says "I love you" more than feigning joy while accepting a gift that isn't quite the right fit or not exactly what you wanted.

Be sure to take them shopping with you. Nothing says "I love you" more than feigning joy while accepting a gift that isn't quite the right fit or not exactly what you wanted.

Excellent advice. I bought nice road bikes for both of my adult children this past year and the one my daughter got was very similar to the one that TruF got, except for a compact double instead of a triple. Both kids (and I, too) enjoyed the shopping experience and they both got bikes they can enjoy now and grow with as they ride more, although they are already both strong riders. Of course, the benefit to me is that they (fairly frequently) ride with me.

TruF, you are going to really love this bike. It is incredibly light and responsive and your riding will take a big leap forward (literally and figuratively). My daughter waited for several rides before deciding on which clipless road pedals she wanted. I think she had a hard time deciding which ones she wanted, but finally got pedals similar to (but newer than) the ones I was using. The only change she made was to get a different saddle. She just couldn't get used to the one it came with. Everyone is different there... :) Congratulations on a great choice and a great deal!

-soma5

TruF,

Very nice bike. Do you mind if I ask what size is that bike? And what is your height? I'm going to buy a road bike for my SO.

Thanks,
R

Ditto what others said about taking your SO with you when you buy the bike. I'm a smidge over 5' 4" with longer legs than average for women (PBH of 80 cm). The bike is a 51. You have a very lucky SO! ;)

2007 Trek FX 7.2 WSD
2007 Specialized Ruby Expert

Glad to see the Ruby is now added and not just in the process stage as it was. ;):D

I hope you enjoy your Specialized as much as I have mine. Today me & my friend are going for a 30 mile ride, farthest so far on the new Roubaix.

Tru, is your seat level with the bars? What kind of adjustments were necessary to get the fitting just right?

The seat is pretty level with the bars. The owner put the bike on a trainer, then put me on the bike. He eyeballed the position of my legs and arms and made some adjustments. He said that I should plan on bringing it back for fine-tuning as I get familiar with the bike and how things feel. When I get the clipless pedals and shoes, I'll need another fitting to make sure the saddle position is adjusted to accommodate the new leg position.

I don't normally go for "service plans" or "extended warranties" but the LBS offered me a service plan that covers all the normal service visits/tune-ups within a 5 year period for a flat $100. He said that he never makes $ directly on that deal, but that it keeps customers coming to his shops and he makes $$ by the extras they buy when they are there. I went ahead and paid the $100. Sounded like a win-win-win for me, the bike, and the LBS. ;)

Very pretty Truf congratulations. It sounds like they may put the same tires on the Ruby as I had on the Roubaix. The rubber was so soft that I could hear pebbles bouncing off the down tube all the time. I got a flat and that was from a little pebble, so I changed them out and put Continental 4 seasons on the bike and I think they are much better.

Thanks for the advice, George! The tires look so fragile compared with those on my hybrid.. (George, I hope your wife is feeling better. I haven't read anything about her lately?)

2007 Trek FX 7.2 WSD
2007 Specialized Ruby Expert

Glad to see the Ruby is now added and not just in the process stage as it was. ;):D

I hope you enjoy your Specialized as much as I have mine. Today me & my friend are going for a 30 mile ride, farthest so far on the new Roubaix.

Thanks!!! I'm going on a casual ride today, and then going on our regular 30-miler tomorrow if the weather holds. Please let us know how the ride goes! I'm guessing that our arses and our necks may complain a bit about the new road bike position.

TruF,

First, congrats on the new ride. I hope you enjoy your Specialized as much as I do mine!

Second, I agree that your $100 5-year "tune-up" plan is a win-win-win purchase. Unless you plan on wrenching your own bike, there's no way you'd come close to that price anywhere else. As your lbs indicated, they do it more to drag you back in and entice you to purchase extra "goodies".

TruF,

First, congrats on the new ride. I hope you enjoy your Specialized as much as I do mine!

Second, I agree that your $100 5-year "tune-up" plan is a win-win-win purchase. Unless you plan on wrenching your own bike, there's no way you'd come close to that price anywhere else. As your lbs indicated, they do it more to drag you back in and entice you to purchase extra "goodies".

Thanks, BillK! I see you have the Expert, too. Glad to know that you are still happy with it! Did you swap out the tires as others have?

Supporting the LBS by purchasing those extra "goodies" is like a kid supporting his local ice cream shop by buying extra ice cream! Such self-sacrifice! :p

Thanks, BillK! I see you have the Expert, too. Glad to know that you are still happy with it! Did you swap out the tires as others have?

Not yet, but I did notice the "stock" tires seemed to be wearing out faster than I'd like. I'll probably swap them out for Cont. Ultra Gatorskins soon.


Supporting the LBS by purchasing those extra "goodies" is like a kid supporting his local ice cream shop by buying extra ice cream! Such self-sacrifice! :p

True...in fact, we Fifty-Plus BF's practice such self-sacrifice, I suspect some of us already qualify for some sort of sainthood! Either that or some ultra-spiffy glow-in-the-dark credit card! :D

Not yet, but I did notice the "stock" tires seemed to be wearing out faster than I'd like. I'll probably swap them out for Cont. Ultra Gatorskins soon.

That's exactly what I plan to do, or Armadillos. I'll have them do that at the time of purchase. The tires seemed "sticky" on our test ride yesterday and Hubby wonders if that's why they may wear out faster. We heard a lot of debris splatter on the bike (I think TruF mentioned the same thing).

That's exactly what I plan to do, or Armadillos. I'll have them do that at the time of purchase. The tires seemed "sticky" on our test ride yesterday and Hubby wonders if that's why they may wear out faster. We heard a lot of debris splatter on the bike (I think TruF mentioned the same thing).

On these road bikes- your ears are closer to the road and you hear allsorts of funny things. I do not know the specialised tyres but they are well respected amongst Speccie riders. Doesn't mean to say they are the best tyre around but I don't think they are bad. And as to tyre wear- Unless you are finding lots of debris and running low pressures- You won't be damaging the tyre with cuts or getting more punctures than other makes. Wear the tyres out and then make a decision on the next set.

On the crankset- I am not saying that there is only one way to go- but my first road bike had a Triple on it. I needed that "Low" Gearing. Since then the two newer bikes have had compact Doubles fitted and a Rear casssette that has a 27 sprocket on it. 34/27 is not much higher than 30/26 with the triple so Unless you have a lot of hills over 10% (And I am thinking that you are not fully bike fit yet and being conservative on the grade) Then I would give the double a good try out before you say you have to have a triple.

And Truf- Need more pics- That frame appears to be Blue and it is not a colour I thought you would go for. So--- What wheels- tyres- groupset and how is the saddle?

Good choice on the Bike and hope you enjoy this road riding as much as I have.

On these road bikes- your ears are closer to the road and you hear allsorts of funny things. I do not know the specialised tyres but they are well respected amongst Speccie riders. Doesn't mean to say they are the best tyre around but I don't think they are bad. And as to tyre wear- Unless you are finding lots of debris and running low pressures- You won't be damaging the tyre with cuts or getting more punctures than other makes. Wear the tyres out and then make a decision on the next set.

stap, I appreciate your comments. However I don't want to wear out the tires first... I want to prevent as many punctures as possible because my left-hand is a bit fix-a-flat challenged due to its weakness (putting the last few inches of tire inside the rim is very difficult for me -- maybe I just need a LOT more practice). I don't want to be out there and alone and helpless... though I would probably do as much as possible on my own and then hope a good samaritan cyclist comes along to help me finish the job if needed. Or Hubby can come rescue me. But I'd prefer to lessen those chances. Just extra piece of mind for me.

And Truf- Need more pics- That frame appears to be Blue and it is not a colour I thought you would go for. So--- What wheels- tyres- groupset and how is the saddle?

Good choice on the Bike and hope you enjoy this road riding as much as I have.

Frame is black to dark gray, with white and silver, and a couple touches of pink here and there. My husband was not surprised at the color of this bike; he pointed out that my closet is filled with black and white. Mostly Ultegra groupset. The tires are Specialized All Condition and the wheels say Shimano Ultegra.

Saddle is the stock Specialized Jett 143, which seems a bit hard to me, although it's the right size for my seat bones according to the Specialized method of fitting. As I balance better, the saddle feels more comfortable. The bike shop said to try it for a while, and that they'd swap it out if it's not comfortable.

So far I'm very happy! I'll let you know how I feel after my 30-miler tomorrow. :p