Specialized: Ruby Expert Compact
For the past several years, Specialized has had two main carbon unisex road-bike lines: the race-oriented Tarmac and the more forgiving Roubaix. Serious roadies seeking women-specific geometry had one option, the Ruby, which won our Editors' Choice award for best women's road bike in 2007 and was a finalist in 2008. For 2010 Specialized is offering two high-end women's lines as well. The Amira joins the stable as the sister bike to the Tarmac, while the Ruby, which always had more in common with the Roubaix anyway, says marketing director Nic Sims, goes full-on plush, with longer chainstays for stability and a taller head tube for comfort.
The Ruby does an excellent job of fulfilling its intended purpose. Like previous versions, it has Zertz dampers in the fork, seatpost and seatstays, which take the sting out of bumps and rough pavement. Go ahead and take a drink, ride with no hands or look over your shoulder—the bike will hold its line. You won't necessarily feel like a speed demon on the Ruby, but you will probably want to ride longer—the frame is comfortable whether you're on the hoods or in the drops, and the upright position helps you open up your chest on climbs. The Expert is available with either a compact (tested) or a triple crankset, and there are five models total, from the $2,200 Elite to the $7,200 S-Works.—Emily Furia
Buy It If: You want to ride from dawn to dusk
Forget It If: You want to race—get the Amira (to be reviewed in an upcoming issue) instead
The Ruby does an excellent job of fulfilling its intended purpose. Like previous versions, it has Zertz dampers in the fork, seatpost and seatstays, which take the sting out of bumps and rough pavement. Go ahead and take a drink, ride with no hands or look over your shoulder—the bike will hold its line. You won't necessarily feel like a speed demon on the Ruby, but you will probably want to ride longer—the frame is comfortable whether you're on the hoods or in the drops, and the upright position helps you open up your chest on climbs. The Expert is available with either a compact (tested) or a triple crankset, and there are five models total, from the $2,200 Elite to the $7,200 S-Works.—Emily Furia
Buy It If: You want to ride from dawn to dusk
Forget It If: You want to race—get the Amira (to be reviewed in an upcoming issue) instead
