Specialized Dolce Sport vs. Elite

[Jen_Mac]

Hi folks:

What a wealth of information you all are! I've been lurking here on and off for ages; picking up some good advice and info but never really having anything to contribute.

I'm buying a road bike at some point over the next couple of days and am basically down to the Specialized Dolce Sport (around $1100) and Specialize Dolce Elite (about $1500). I was all mentally prepared to flash my credit card and ride the Elite off into the sunshine (or rainclouds, whatever) until trying the Sport and not really noticing too much of a different other than not being able to reach the brakes very well when down in the drops.

Looking at the specs, do you think it`s worth the extra $400 for the Elite model? I think I'm leaning towards yes, but have a slight twitch wondering if I'm just a bit over excited/anxious and being ridiculous. My main thought circles around the possible advantage of the zertz inserts on the fork on long rides. The first time I rode a road bike about a year ago I wasn't wearing gloves and had a good case of jittery hands for the rest of the evening!

Sport: http://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45717&menuItemId=0

Elite: http://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45719&menuItemId=0

I've been dwelling about this for almost a week. I have a hybrid that I would happily ride to the moon and back, but would like to join some of the group road rides in the area and definitely can't keep up on my hybrid. I would probably be taking this new bike on longer rides, and hoping to squeeze in one or two 100-km rides every couple of weeks. Also going in a charity ride in mid August which will prob be 150-km (or 285 if I'm feeling super ambitious by then!)

Any comments/thoughts much appreciated!

Many thanks,
Jen

[tulip]

Congrats on getting a new bike.

Since you've been looking at all the advice, you'll notice that most of it pertains to fit--buy the bike that fits the best. If you cannot reach the brake levers from your normal riding position (I do not ride in the drops, so reach from the drops is not an issue for me), that says to me that there is a fit problem.

What does your local bike shop say about the reach issue? Can they swap out the brake levers for short reach ones? Will that even make a difference, or is the bike too big?

Find the bike that fits. Do not buy the bike that does not fit. Best of luck to you.

[Jen_Mac]

Thanks Tuplip!

They both fit the same, with the exception of reaching the brakes. I spoke to them about it and they said the can insert something at the top of the brake (where the main part that you squeeze touches the part that connects to the top of the handle bars - technical terms ;) ) so they are a bit closer and easier to reach.

[pinsonp2]

There are some differences, such as the Elite has triple wall wheels (Sport has double), Elite has carbon wrapped seatpost (Sport has alloy or aluminum), Elite has the Zerts in the front carbon fork (Sport does not). The other noticable difference is that the Elite has full Tiagra derailleurs and shifters, whereas the Sport has Sora up front and Tiagra in the rear (I think). So, If you are going to ride this bike lots of miles, the upgrade to the Elite is probably worth it. If you have just a casual interest in road biking the Sport will be fine. I have the Sport and it does everything I want it to do. Not fancy, but it is my first road bike. Maybe I'll get something better in the future, but for now it is great....and I love the white/berry color....YMMV.

P2

[tulip]

Thanks Tuplip!

They both fit the same, with the exception of reaching the brakes. I spoke to them about it and they said the can insert something at the top of the brake (where the main part that you squeeze touches the part that connects to the top of the handle bars - technical terms ;) ) so they are a bit closer and easier to reach.

They are not the same fit if you cannot reach the brakes on one of them. That one is not a good fit. They can put shims in, but why not get a bike that fits right since you are getting a new one? Ask the bike shop about short-reach brake levers if you really want that bike. Otherwise go with the one that fits better. Sora is better than Tiagra, but personally I'd keep looking for a bike that fits that has 105 components. 105s will last alot longer and cause you fewer clicky-clacky annoyances than Sora or Tiagra. On the positive side, you can easily upgrade the components later if the frame is right.