Specialized Dolce good for paved bike trail?

[LivinOurLuvSong]

I have been riding a cheap walmart bike on a paved bike trail. I do about 20 miles at a time. I now know its something I really enjoy and going to keep with. I have been looking at the specialized dolce and wondering if thats good. I am 5'3 and 100 lbs so I know I want something designed for women. I do not plan on racing. Its a more for enjoyment and fitness. Also my bike trail takes me from my small town to a busier downtown area I like to go to. I know I am jumping all over the place sorry I am a bit excited:)

[murielalex]

Hi, welcome!

I'm pretty much a newbie, too, but have already learned a lot from reading the different threads here. I do know that you should try out different bikes if you can. The Dolce may be your bike, but don't be afraid to try out other models and brands if you can find dealers in your area that carry your size. I thought I wanted a Ruby, but it ended up feeling all wrong.

Have fun and enjoy! I've only been riding a couple months, and am having a ball.

[redrhodie]

If the Dolce fits, it's perfect for your needs.

[Savra]

A lot of bike stores will steer you towards "comfort" bikes or hybrids when you tell them you mainly want to ride on bike trails for recreation. Those who want to go fast and like a more aerodynamic/aggressive ride tend to go towards road bikes with drop handles. Drop handles do have the advantage of giving you more hand positions for long rides.
What does all that mean - it means you can get any bike you want for whatever riding you want really. But, you might also want to consider what type of riding you want to do. Do you want to be more upright and comfortable? = hybrid or comfort bike. Do you want to go fast and/or have a desire to ride with a bike club = road bike. Do you want to some time take your bike on a dirt trail up a mountain = mountain bike.
But, I go back to my statement that any bike you want will work. Get what makes you happy and is comfortable. The only time I worry about if a bike is "right" is if I'm considering taking a bike on a dirt trail - then a road bike is not ideal.
All that being said - I got a Dolce as my first road bike and am pretty happy with it. :) It has allowed me to put in more miles than I had ever considered before and I feel like a champion on it most days.

[MGM]

Yes, the Dolce would be a fine bike for paved paths. I really like the geometry of the Specialized WSD frames. You will love having a decent bike after riding your Wallyworld one!

[LivinOurLuvSong]

Thank you for your replies. My husband and I rode our bikes to the bike shop today and looked at the specialized. He is leaning that way too. It was raining so we didnt get to test ride them. We are going back on Thursday. I loved the shop's feel and everyone was so helpful. Not at all the experience we had at the LBS that handles Trek. I also love that I can ride my bike to the shop. Getting so excited! Did 30 miles today on my cheap bike can not wait to see if a road bike will tackle more miles with ease.

[Owlie]

I have Giant's equivalent of the Dolce (but the Dolce fits me better!), and I ride it on paved bike paths all the time. In fact, I prefer it to riding on the road!

[snyderd25]

I have a Specialized Dolce... I got it 5 years ago for a triathlon and have ridden sporadically until this year. It certainly served me well, but now that my needs have changed and I am riding longer distances, I am ready for a carbon frame and some better components.

So... if you think you'll stick to the trail and rides under 30-40 miles, I can't recommend the Dolce enough... but if you think you will start riding longer distances, you may want to consider a different model.

[Kubla]

I have an '09 Dolce Elite and it's great on paved roads. I tried a number of different models a few years ago; this was the bike that kept putting a big grin on my face. (We will need to see photos when you've made your purchase.) :)

[Jo-n-NY]

The Dolce is a great bike. It was my first road bike back in 2005 and I rode a couple of centuries on her. I did replace it with a Specialized Ruby after putting 4,000 miles on her but then won one in a raffle use it as my secondary/trainer bike. Anyway, the Dolce certainly is a great bike to ride on paved roads and although the Ruby is more comfortable to ride longer distances, the Dolce really was a good bike for that also.

[countrygirl]

Thank you for your replies. My husband and I rode our bikes to the bike shop today and looked at the specialized. He is leaning that way too. It was raining so we didnt get to test ride them. We are going back on Thursday. I loved the shop's feel and everyone was so helpful. Not at all the experience we had at the LBS that handles Trek. I also love that I can ride my bike to the shop. Getting so excited! Did 30 miles today on my cheap bike can not wait to see if a road bike will tackle more miles with ease.

HA! I just had to comment that for whatever reason I've had the same experience, the Trek shop people (2 stores) were just not at all very friendly or helpful, really off-putting actually... and the Specialized fellas have all been so nice, genuine and down to earth. I'm psyched I just bought a Specialized for my first mountain bike because now I will be dealing with them for my bike's needs... and I feel sorry for my BF, his new TRek Cobia is no doubt a great bike but now he has to deal with those Trek shop guys foreveeeer!! LOL! I tried to get him to check out Specialized bikes more seriously but... we like what we like.

[LivinOurLuvSong]

Hmm Country Girl your not located in South Carolina are you lol?

SO today I bought my Specialized Dolce!! So excited test rode her and it was just a wonderful feeling of this is the one :) I am guessing I am going to need some shorts with that seat though..

Thank you everyone for your replies it made me even more confident in my choice.

[ZenBiker]

The Dolce is a great bike. It was my first road bike back in 2005 and I rode a couple of centuries on her. I did replace it with a Specialized Ruby after putting 4,000 miles on her but then won one in a raffle use it as my secondary/trainer bike. Anyway, the Dolce certainly is a great bike to ride on paved roads and although the Ruby is more comfortable to ride longer distances, the Dolce really was a good bike for that also.

This is almost exactly what I did when I got into road biking - except my mileage is lower than Jo-n-NY's (and I never won a bike raffle!)

I rode a Dolce for a few years and it served me well. I enjoyed riding it so much I started doing longer rides and signing up for event rides, and eventually upgraded to a Ruby which I absolutely love. So if the Dolce fits and feels good, it will be a great recreational ride for you.

Edited to add: Ah, I see you bought it - congrats!! I think you will have many happy hours with that bike. Enjoy!

[countrygirl]

Hmm Country Girl your not located in South Carolina are you lol?

SO today I bought my Specialized Dolce!! So excited test rode her and it was just a wonderful feeling of this is the one :) I am guessing I am going to need some shorts with that seat though..

Thank you everyone for your replies it made me even more confident in my choice.

Lol, no I'm on the west coast, but apparently we live parallel lives in a twi-light zoney kinda way, lol. Oh, and I just ordered my first Specialized bike too, big congrats on your new bike! High fives!

[murielalex]

Congrats on your new bike! Definitely get some shorts and don't be afraid to try out different saddles if the one that came with the bike brings you more pain than just getting used to it brings. Wishing you many happy, safe miles!

[hebe]

Congratulations! Enjoy your new ride :) +1 to shorts, and think about changing the saddle if it doesn't work for you.

[LivinOurLuvSong]

Thanks Ladies! I am about to go for my first ride on it. I ended up getting some hincapie shorts. The store isnt too far from my house and they seemed like good quality. I will have to take some pictures :D

[LivinOurLuvSong]

So I went for a 10 mile ride yesterday. My shoulder, elbows, and wrist were sore. Rode 20 miles today not as sore but it was there and palms were really red. The LBS said to ride a while before the fitting. So I am thinking of going in this week for one. Is this normal part of getting use to the bike. Kinda of how your tail hurts before you get use to the seat?

[goldfinch]

So I went for a 10 mile ride yesterday. My shoulder, elbows, and wrist were sore. Rode 20 miles today not as sore but it was there and palms were really red. The LBS said to ride a while before the fitting. So I am thinking of going in this week for one. Is this normal part of getting use to the bike. Kinda of how your tail hurts before you get use to the seat?

Are you wearing gloves?

Besides getting used to the bike and getting a fit, one thing that really has helped me is to do core strengthening exercises. Like these: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/core-strength/SM00047

[Owlie]

So I went for a 10 mile ride yesterday. My shoulder, elbows, and wrist were sore. Rode 20 miles today not as sore but it was there and palms were really red. The LBS said to ride a while before the fitting. So I am thinking of going in this week for one. Is this normal part of getting use to the bike. Kinda of how your tail hurts before you get use to the seat?

If you're not wearing gloves, get some. If you are, maybe look at some new ones. Core strengthening exercises may help. (Speaking of which, I should do some.) Also make sure your saddle works for you. It may take more than 2 rides to do that, though.

[MGM]

The LBS said to ride a while before the fitting. So I am thinking of going in this week for one. Is this normal part of getting use to the bike. Kinda of how your tail hurts before you get use to the seat?

Get the bike fit! I don't agree with the "ride it for a while first" philosophy at all. Is riding it for a while going to somehow make a too long or short stem work for you? Or any one of a number of things that can be adjusted that can make you miserable? Of course not. In fact, there are many proponents of getting a fitting done before you even shop for a bike, because then you know which models' geometry is more likely to work for you.

The place where I just bought my new bike tried that line on me, I said "no, I'd like the bike fitted to me when I take it." So I ended up driving home, a 2 hour trip, without my bike because the fitter was off that day. Drove back the next day, 2 hours each way again, to get the fitting and the bike. I now feel perfectly positioned, comfortable, with no wasted or unecessary motion needed. A friend commented today that my riding looked effoertless and I looked like I was gliding. I contribute a big part of that to a good bike fitting.

[LivinOurLuvSong]

I dont have gloves. Do most of you use gloves? What is the main reason behind gloves? I rode 30 miles today and way less pain so I am guessing it was the shock of going from such a comfort bike to road bike. I am going for my fitting later this week. Thanks everyone for your replies :)

[Owlie]

The big reason for wearing gloves is to protect your hands if you crash. The other reason is for comfort.

[Kiwi Stoker]

And to wipe your nose (the soft fleecy part normally near the thunmb).