Specialized Ruby Compact

[Goshen]

Hi,
My wife is wishing to upgrade her current bike - a ladies machine by Fuji.

She has found and is keen on a 2013 Specialized Ruby Compact and the lbs has been really helpful and not at all pushy so we feel pretty comfortable with them.

However the question we have is regarding the Sora equipment fitted to it. I have always understood - perhaps wrongly - that Sora was the lower end of the Shimano range. The shop says that Shimano have released a new and improved Sora in 2013 and that it is much improved.

I have concern's that for $2000 for the Ruby we could find a bike fitted with better equipment.
Am I wrong and is the Ruby with Sora equipment a bike that is good value ?



Cheers

[auswi2]

Hello,

The Sora is the lower end of the groupset from Shimano. There are pleny of bikes out there under $2K with better groupsets

When i moved from Sora to 105 I would never gpo back to Sora

Thanks

[stinhambo]

The Ruby is an excellent frame so I'd imagine most of the cost is there.

I'd haggle for a Tiagra groupset at the minimum though.

[KenGS]

The next model up "Sport" has a mix of Tiagra and 105 and is 10-speed. It's RRP $2299 but you might be able to haggle it down a bit although dealers don't seem to have much negotiating room with Specialized bikes.
I got the Roubaix Sport but I did change the wheels to something lighter.
If you can get the 2012 Elite it's a good buy for a similar price.

[Goshen]

Thanks for your replies - we were thinking that the price was too high for the spec.

We have also had a look at the Merida Ride Lite 94 (online only) which is fitted out with 105 but the Specialized dealer is also the Merida dealer here and was keener to talk Specialized !

The Trek Lexa SLX is another we are considering. These two seem better value.

I guess we'll keep looking.

Thanks again - this site is a great source of information and help.

Cheers

[marinmomma]

Hi there, try bike exchange to get an idea of what else your money could get you?

There is a Ruby Elite with 105 for $2400 here in Brisbane it's last years stock but better buying IMO.
I have the alloy version of this frame and I've been very happy with it.

Good luck with the search.

[Goshen]

Hi,
For what it's worth we have just ordered a Trek Lexa SLX.
She is very happy.

Cheers and thanks for your replies.