Fifty Plus (50+) - Tru's New Bike: Ride Report

It was a lovely day. Breezy and sunny. Rode the Ruby to our favorite breakfast joint and back, about 30 miles round trip. Lots of gentle grades. We know this ride well, and have done it a couple times each month since last summer. I noticed the difference between my Trek 7.2 FX and the Ruby Expert immediately. The Ruby felt crisp, yet buttery smooth, like a fine chardonnay. (Hey, I live in the Wine Country and saw Sideways at least three times.) Neck felt fine, hands and wrists were happy with the various positions the drop handlebars provide. The Ruby felt extremely responsive, but no uncomfortable road vibrations. I feel more coordinated on the Ruby than on my Trek. Like we are dancing together. My husband said that he was tired by the time we reached the restaurant because I'm riding faster and he had to work harder to keep up. I don't have a computer on the Ruby yet, so have no idea how fast I was going. All I know is that I wasn't trying to go fast, and the long uphill grades were much, much easier. On the way home, we were riding into a pretty stiff headwind. It felt nice to be able to get into a more aerodynamic position for a while when I got tired of fighting the wind. Even that 25 degree, three-block-long hill getting back to our house was much easier. (Yes, I got the triple and am glad to have it on this hill.)

My lower back is a little sore. I asked my husband to check my posture, and I was holding my back a little "sway back" as I am prone to do. (I'm really flexible, which sounds nice, but has caused me injuries in the past.) So I need to pay attention to how I'm positioning my back and try to keep it straighter. Also, the stock saddle has to go. (Ouch!) I'm also seriously thinking of adding extra brake levers that I can use when I'm not in the drops. (Thanks 50+-ers for the feedback about those in one of the other threads!)

Anyway, I was looking for a bike I could fall in love with. Still some fine-tuning to go, but I'm a very, very happy woman. :love:

Nice. Hope your new bike brings you many years of enjoyment.

Great report. Remember, it only gets better!

Pictures? Where are the pictures? They told me I had to put up pictures. :D

That is so awesome that you are enjoying your bike, it feels good to be on one that fits you that's for sure. As for the seat I didn't even try using the stock seat, had to many people say they didn't like it & I liked the Terry seat I had on my hybrid so it was changed before it left the LBS.

This report is entirely too upbeat. It has upset my stomach with all of its syrupy sweetness. Please rewrite it, this time including some mention of pain and frustration suffered during your ride. For example, instead of your back being a "little soar," it should state that you were in excruciating back pain that took a few hours to subside.

Hey, TruF,

This is a great ride report. DG is right, it only gets better after this. It won't be long before hubby needs a new bike just to keep up (both meanings!).

-soma5

Sounds like a sweet, sweet ride.

On the saddle front, I started with a Jett last year, and it never worked. It's firm in the wrong places, and the cut out was in the wrong place too, so I gave up on it very quickly. Saddles are totally personal, but I just acquired a Terry Butterfly which worked like a charm in a week of riding last week.

Nice report, Tru! Sounds like you got the bike of your dreams, so happy for you. But where are the pics? :)

I've read many good comments about the Terry Butterfly.

Ain't it great when a plan comes together?
Glad to hear that you like the new bike.

Sounds like you found the right bike for you...enjoy the rides!

They sure put a nice bike together don't they. I'm very happy with mine as well. It doe's everything that I want to do, very well. Good luck and have fun.

I like Tru's bike, and its good to see that Tom's new avitar has cured some of his grumpyness.

Congrats on the new ride, TruF, and thanks for the report.

Great that your Ruby is such a delight.

Rode my Roubaix about 80 miles today up hill and dale chasing the power riders in our club. I think I got all the soreness for you.

Great that your Ruby is such a delight.

Rode my Roubaix about 80 miles today up hill and dale chasing the power riders in our club. I think I got all the soreness for you.

Hey, Smokester! Sounds like a great ride. Was it windy today in your neck of the NoCal woods?

Sounds like a sweet, sweet ride.

On the saddle front, I started with a Jett last year, and it never worked. It's firm in the wrong places, and the cut out was in the wrong place too, so I gave up on it very quickly. Saddles are totally personal, but I just acquired a Terry Butterfly which worked like a charm in a week of riding last week.

You're not kidding about the "firm in all the wrong places" attributes of that saddle! I'll look into the Terry Butterfyl. Thanks!

This report is entirely too upbeat. It has upset my stomach with all of its syrupy sweetness. Please rewrite it, this time including some mention of pain and frustration suffered during your ride. For example, instead of your back being a "little soar," it should state that you were in excruciating back pain that took a few hours to subside.

With all the help this forum (including you!) gave me in my search for a road bike, how could my report be otherwise? :D

Seriously, my back is still a bit sore, but it's my arse that is really complaining tonight! That saddle is unbelievably wrong. Just plain wrong. (Is that a little better?) ;)

Oh I forgot to mention that on my Trek, my left knee would often feel tweaked, especially when going up hill. That didn't happen today! (Would someone please get Tom a barf bag?)

Glad to hear that the bike works so well for you. As others have said, it just keeps getting better. You'll be telling us about the first century ride before you know it.

Swap the saddle if you feel you need to, but keep in mind you probably won't want as much padding as on your more upright bike. I would also advise against the interrupter brake levers unless you really have a problem with the regular brake levers. They will just make it take longer for you to instinctively move your hands to the hoods when you need to brake. I think of them as the braking equivalent of training wheels. You'll learn quicker without them.

I've ridden road bike saddles that were so uncomfortable that they were killing me within 10 minutes. In fact, most road bike saddles have done that to me.

I like Terry's Fly series of saddles.

Have you checked out this forum's favorite saddle? B****s?

I feel more coordinated on the Ruby than on my Trek. Like we are dancing together.

Now there's a line you don't often hear about a bike!

If you're still open to Specialized saddles, my wife likes their Dolce. It's got a little more gel padding, and it's a little wider, so lends itself to recreational riding more than race-type riding.

Tru, on my hybrid (:lol: as if I have another bike!) I have a Specialized Body Geometry (BG) V-Groove saddle (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?a=b&minisite=10029&spid=34357&language=US). Originally, I planned to buy a Terry saddle but the owner of the LBS where I bought the BG saddle talked me into this one thinking it would be just as good but less expensive. I was reluctant and my heart was set on the Terry, but I'm glad I took his advice. It's been a great saddle and I never have any soreness. I have the one shown in the link, with the red stripe, not the women's version. Hubby has the same one and also likes it very much. I plan to put the same one on the new bike..... though, I would love to try the Terry Butterfly because I've read so many good things about it, but if this one works I don't see why I should switch.

Glad you found your bike! And I can relate to how light and airy it feels. CF is wonderful stuff.

As to the saddle: On the tandem and the Orca I replaced the saddles with a Selle San Marco Glamour. No padding to speak of -- I let the shorts take care of that. I still have my BG stock saddle (now saddle #2; wore out the 1st one after about 18 mos.) on my Dolce. That saddle is adequate for the kind of riding I now do on it.

Check on the return policy of your LBS to be sure you won't be stuck with a saddle you hate.

BTW, the winds here were fierce we opted not to drive 90 miles to Turlock for a road race. In fact, we opted not to ride at all! So not like us; yet we embraced our inner wussy and took naps instead. So props to you for getting out and riding.

... The Ruby felt crisp, yet buttery smooth, like a fine chardonnay. (Hey, I live in the Wine Country and saw Sideways at least three times.)

I've seen Sideways twice myself . . . and I'm sure glad that new Ruby doesn't ride like some f*****g merlot! :D

Here's the saddle I have on the Dolce: http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=34350

Here's my favorite saddle, found on 2 of my 3 rides: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=21179&srccode=2047&cm_mmc=Froogle-_-Datafeed-_-null-_-null

I'll look into the Terry Butterfly.

I have a Terry Butterfly on both my hybrid and my road bike and I love it - it took me trying 4 saddles before I found the one that is comfortable for me. With that being said, the Terry saddle I love will be what the next person down the line describes as the worst saddle they have ever ridden. Everyone has different.... ummm...'assets' and a saddle is a very individual thing. :D

If you decide to try a Terry Butterfly, check out their website for options. Also I think they have a 30 day return policy if the saddle does not work out for you

Hey, Smokester! Sounds like a great ride. Was it windy today in your neck of the NoCal woods?

Yes. Rode south up a long canyon (Calaveras) and quite violent winds would circle right into our face. Then went over and into Milpitas and north up Warm Springs Blvd right into a 20 mph head on wind. Then East on Niles Canyon into a severe headwind. North up Palamaras Canyon and down the other side...Had to peddle where I never had to before into a head wind on the back side. East up Dublin Canyon into a head wind. Barely broke 30 mph peddling like a maniac into the wind on the backside again. Usually can get over 40.

A head wind on every part of this 80 mile loop. Jeez, I sure if we had turned around at any point in the ride there still would have been a head wind.

It was downright spooky.

Yes. Rode south up a long canyon (Calaveras) and quite violent winds would circle right into our face. Then went over and into Milpitas and north up Warm Springs Blvd right into a 20 mph head on wind. Then East on Niles Canyon into a severe headwind. North up Palamaras Canyon and down the other side...Had to peddle where I never had to before into a head wind on the back side. East up Dublin Canyon into a head wind. Barely broke 30 mph peddling like a maniac into the wind on the backside again. Usually can get over 40.

A head wind on every part of this 80 mile loop. Jeez, I sure if we had turned around at any point in the ride there still would have been a head wind.

It was downright spooky.
Why is it every time there is wind it is always a head wind???? Doesn't matter if I'm on my bike or in the car it seems like your always going into the wind.
I did get lucky coming home from work the other day on my bike & had the wind at my back, that was the first time that ever happened since I started riding last year. It was so nice I was able to keep a 30MPH speed on the flat & 25MPH on the hills. It was so nice.

Glad to hear that the bike works so well for you. As others have said, it just keeps getting better. You'll be telling us about the first century ride before you know it.

Swap the saddle if you feel you need to, but keep in mind you probably won't want as much padding as on your more upright bike. I would also advise against the interrupter brake levers unless you really have a problem with the regular brake levers. They will just make it take longer for you to instinctively move your hands to the hoods when you need to brake. I think of them as the braking equivalent of training wheels. You'll learn quicker without them.

+1 on this. Well padded saddles will cause a problem. Go to the Shop the day after a ride when you can still feel some pain. Get a low stool or a step and put a prospective saddle on it and sit on it. You will soon find the saddle shape that fits you better. And on the interrupter levers- Hang fire on them till you get the LBS to show you how to brake from the hoods- and change on the hoods if that is still a problem.

And I have to agree with others here that have already voiced it---Where the pics. I can understand it from a newer member - but as an experienced 50+er- you should know better.

And I have to agree with others here that have already voiced it---Where the pics. I can understand it from a newer member - but as an experienced 50+er- you should know better.

Mea culpa! In my defense, the extra little wedge pack I have barely has room enough for one spare tube let alone a camera! But I will figure out how to schlep a bit more along with me for my next ride. Promise. :o

A camera will fit nicely in one of the rear pockets of a jersey.

All right, already! Uncle! I'll bring my camera next time. It is really nice to know the forum wants to see photos. :) :)