Oh... my...

OK. I've been playing with the idea of buying a Road bike. On a lark, we stopped into the LBS that sells Specialized. I've been pretty much a fan of Trek, namely because of a bad experience with this same dealer, but I've given them a few chances and they've done me right on a few smaller purchases I've made there so I'm warming to them. Only reason I stopped is I saw a sign for a clothing sale.

Anywho.. I took a look at some of the roadies and I think I'm in love. I didn't even get to ride due to the icy/snowy outdoors, but sitting on the bike I got that feeling of some thing being part of you... or you being part of it... but it felt GOOD. I FULLY intend to go back when the weather clears and give her a test ride.

http://www.stows.co.uk/images/upload..._27_REDWHT.jpg

Does anyone here have experience with this bike? I did see they have the Sport and Elite models. I'm wondering what the differences where in the Sport/Elite/Comp versions of the Specialized Dolce.

I guess I'm gone over the deep end and REALLY considering a road bike.

Shannon

I have the Specialized Ruby and love it. I test rode the Dolce and loved it too. ;) That is one hot looking bike. I am thinking the difference between the Dolce comp/elite/sport is components (tiagra, 105, etc).

Wow, nice timing. I just test-rode a Ruby Elite - literally an hour and a half ago. And fell in love. It's all I can do not to call the bike shop with a credit card number...I figure waiting a day before these kinds of purchases is a good idea. (I also fell in love with the LBS, but that's another story.)

The difference between the Elite and the Dolce are the frame material. Elite-carbon; Dolce-aluminium. I think you can get them with different components too. (I tried one with SRAM Apex.) Not sure about the other two, but I'm about to dive into the Specialized site.

Yes, the difference between the Ruby and Dolce are frame materials, but the difference between the Dolce models, are the shifting components. The regular Dolce and Dolce elite have tiagra, and the Dolce Comp has the 105's.

I have a 2009 Dolce Elite in a beautiful metallic garnet red and love it.

Specialized knows how to create bikes that are true eye candy...that are also a joy to ride.

I tried a number of makes and models during my search and kept going back to the Dolce. It consistently put a foolish grin on my face every time.

I'm looking at a Dolce as my next "fun" bike.

I will stop looking at that sexy red bicycle. I will stop, before I leave a puddle of drool on my laptop and call up the LBS.

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Originally Posted by Owlie

I will stop, before I leave a puddle of drool on my laptop and call up the LBS.

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That's OK. Just leave the 48 for me :)

No worries. I'm probably a 51 or maybe 54, going by standover and TT length. :D
(That and I'm looking at the Dolce Comp, which comes in a not-nearly-as-sexy white. :rolleyes: )

Yea, I may be able to go up to the 51 myself, I'm 5'5"... I REALLY want this bike.. have to wait.. must wait..

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Originally Posted by Roadtrip

OK. I've been playing with the idea of buying a Road bike. On a lark, we stopped into the LBS that sells Specialized. I've been pretty much a fan of Trek, namely because of a bad experience with this same dealer, but I've given them a few chances and they've done me right on a few smaller purchases I've made there so I'm warming to them. Only reason I stopped is I saw a sign for a clothing sale.

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I'm trying to rebuild a relationship with a LBS too, though it took a knock when I said that I'd bought a mountain bike elsewhere.

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Anywho.. I took a look at some of the roadies and I think I'm in love. I didn't even get to ride due to the icy/snowy outdoors, but sitting on the bike I got that feeling of some thing being part of you... or you being part of it... but it felt GOOD. I FULLY intend to go back when the weather clears and give her a test ride.

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That's exactly how I felt when I first sat on my Specialized Hotrock. They truly are bikes to make you grin.

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http://www.stows.co.uk/images/upload..._27_REDWHT.jpg

Does anyone here have experience with this bike? I did see they have the Sport and Elite models. I'm wondering what the differences where in the Sport/Elite/Comp versions of the Specialized Dolce.

I guess I'm gone over the deep end and REALLY considering a road bike.

Shannon

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ha :) it is your destiny :D Our LBS gave me a Specialized catalogue which is pretty good for armchair browsing as it has most of the specs in. Otherwise the website is very good for identifying differences between models. Gorgeous bike, by the way!

Almost a year ago, I took my Trek FX 7.5 to my LBS for a tune-up. I was looking at the other kinds of bikes they had and I spied the berry/white 2010 Dolce Sport (Sora/Tiagra). I was hooked immediately. I never dreamed that a roadbike could be so comfortable. Needless to say, that Dolce went home with me and I have been hooked ever since.

Just a thought about size. On a good day I am 5'5" and was fitted to a 54 cm Dolce. The two Treks I purchased later were 52 cm. So, you may end up with a larger size than normal for you with a Dolce. Of course, that depends on your proportions.

Good luck making it through a dreary winter with thoughts of a new bike in your head........

P2

This is a beautiful bike Roadtrip - congratulations!

Aww, have mercy! I test rode a Dolce Sport the same day I test rode a Surly. I was totally smitten and was this close to going home with the Dolce... except that I knew aluminium would give me problems, given my audax ambitions. I wanted steel and ended up buying the Surly (which I do love!). But that Dolce stuck in my head. The fit and handling were just superb - like you said, like it's a part of you. Magic.

Since then, I saw the Ruby at a bike show - same geometry as the Dolce but a carbon frame. "Smitten" does not cover it - it's LUST!! I've promised myself I am allowed to think about buying one... next year (2012). But the desire still lurks and sometimes rears its ugly head unexpectedly causing me to run amok online drooling all over photos of both Dolces and Rubys.

I've been behaving myself quite well in recent weeks, but now you've posted THIS.

Somehow somewhere you shall pay!!!! :D


P.S. I hope you get it!!!

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Originally Posted by Owlie

No worries. I'm probably a 51 or maybe 54, going by standover and TT length. :D
(That and I'm looking at the Dolce Comp, which comes in a not-nearly-as-sexy white. :rolleyes: )

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Not sure about this year's Dolce in person, but the '09 also came in white and was actually quite pretty; it had a metallic finish.

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Originally Posted by pinsonp2

Just a thought about size. On a good day I am 5'5" and was fitted to a 54 cm Dolce. The two Treks I purchased later were 52 cm. So, you may end up with a larger size than normal for you with a Dolce. Of course, that depends on your proportions.P2

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+1 on potential sizing. I'm 5'6" with relatively short legs and the 54 cm Dolce is a great fit. One LBS tried to convince me the 48 cm I test-rode was a 'good size' for me, but I'm glad I followed my intuition that told me otherwise. Especially when the same sales person offered to have me (literally) climb on a Trek that was too big...and gave me attitude when I told him as much.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pinsonp2

Almost a year ago, I took my Trek FX 7.5 to my LBS for a tune-up. I was looking at the other kinds of bikes they had and I spied the berry/white 2010 Dolce Sport (Sora/Tiagra). I was hooked immediately. I never dreamed that a roadbike could be so comfortable. Needless to say, that Dolce went home with me and I have been hooked ever since.

Just a thought about size. On a good day I am 5'5" and was fitted to a 54 cm Dolce. The two Treks I purchased later were 52 cm. So, you may end up with a larger size than normal for you with a Dolce. Of course, that depends on your proportions.

Good luck making it through a dreary winter with thoughts of a new bike in your head........

P2

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I have to agree with this - these bikes run weird in sizing. I am 5'6 and was fitted to a 52 (I have short legs and a long torso) but the compact frame never fit me right, and I ended up trading this bike for a Trek that fits me much better.

Nice looking though and the saddle for the Dolce is really great (at least I think so - i kept the saddle and put it on my Trek!)

Been thinking when I'm ready, I'd pony up for a good fitting, both the Trek and Specialized dealers offer advanced fittings for about $150.

I'm going to test ride a number of bikes before making a decision, even tho this felt like a dream and love at first sight.

Shannon

I went to the LBS today to test ride a few bikes as it was sunny and in the 40's.

I rode the 2011 Dolce Sport and the 2011 Dolce Elite (SRAM Apex)... Price wise the two were $850 and $1350 respectively.

I rode both a 48cm and the 51cm bikes and the 51 was much more comfortable and allowed me to more room. Felt much better on the larger bike.

Then I did the WRONG thing... I got on a Ruby. ACCCKKKK. Ohhhh mmmmmyyyy gooooddd.

I have some BIG decisions to make. The 2010 Ruby Elite that I road is a 48cm bike and $1800 ($200 off retail), which is outside my budget and not my size, but did have full 105 components which was nice to try out. LBS doesn't have a 51cm in the 2010 and I feel I really need a 51 now after riding both.

After riding the Ruby I simply couldn't pry the smile off my face, so I could only imagine what the same bike, but the right size would feel like. Since I'm starting the new job on Monday I may just wait a little while longer for the bike and save the funds for the Ruby.

I'll be in training for the next two weeks and occupied, so I don't have to make a decision any time soon, but this just threw some interesting wrinkles into things.

Shannon

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After riding the Ruby I simply couldn't pry the smile off my face...

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I know what you mean.

I'm gonna stay off this forum for a little while, then. Every "new bike" post on here gives me a severe case of new-bike lust. :o :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Owlie

I'm gonna stay off this forum for a little while, then. Every "new bike" post on here gives me a severe case of new-bike lust. :o :rolleyes:

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LOL. This ones for you. It's the one I rode today.

http://bikereviews.com/wp-content/up...-road-bike.jpg

Personally, I'd save more for the Ruby :) The all carbon vs aluminum/carbon fork is definitely worth the extra cost. I rode teh Ruby and I never got that feeling. But it was a sexy bike! I also rode the Trek Madone and that one felt better to me personally.

I would suggest taking time and riding a few different makes before springing for the best bike that is destined to be yours :)

I also would say to save the money get a Ruby. I've looked at the Dulce, Ruby, Madone and Lexa. I prefer the Trek. I've been able to test a Lexa and sit on a Dulce. I like the feel of the Lexa better. I'm 5' even. Now I will not purchase a bike from either the Trek or Specialized dealers that are fairly close to me. For either I'll be driving two hours to Raleigh. One of the Trek dealers there is good and the Specialized dealer there is good. The ones closer I'm not willing to deal with again for bikes. (Well there is a wonderful beach bike store, but they do not sell new road bikes, only beach bikes. Got lucky and found a used road bike there). Plus if I get frustrated enough with all of them, I'll just drive back to Charlotte and go back to my wonderful Trek dealer there that used to be our LBS.

I so badly want a new bike and I so badly despair of ever getting my dream madone 6.5 for my 65th birthday in 2 1/2 years that I am going to have to remove myself as well. Bike lust is a bad combination with general depression over lack of progress in training, weight, resistance and cardio not to mention speed in riding that I too will have to take a break from the forum for a while. Sigh....

Can you get a time payment plan with the bike stir- layaway style.

I'd have to ask about layaway or paying over time.

The shop I test rode these bikes at doesn't have this exact (Ruby Elite, but last years model with 105 components) bike in my size. The 2011 Elite has SRAM Apex components, not 105 and I'm sure I'd not get it for $1800, when list is $2100. In order to get 105 on a 2011 Ruby, I'd have to move up to the Comp with a list price of $2700, so a BIG step up in price.

This shop DOES have a 2009 Ruby Comp for $120 more, but in my size, just not really thrilled with the paint

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/...BlueTint_l.jpg

I still have to go test the Trek's as well, just to be sure this is what I want, so I'm not running into dropping this kind of money on a bike.

The salesman told my husband to slow me down while on my little test ride. LOL. I was having too much fun. When I got in the sales guy told me DH came back in while I was riding the Ruby and said, I think I'm in trouble.

Shannon

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Originally Posted by marni

I so badly want a new bike and I so badly despair of ever getting my dream madone 6.5 for my 65th birthday in 2 1/2 years that I am going to have to remove myself as well.

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Marni, don't give up on your dream. It's amazing what you can save when you put a little aside here and there. Yes, it's a big price tag -but not impossible.

Keep your eye on Craigslist and LBS closeouts. You never know when one might show up at a reduced price.

My original plan 2+ years ago when I started my weight loss journey was to buy a road bike as a reward after I'd lost 40 lb. Then I started questioning why I had to wait *that* long. After all, the bike was a means to an end. I bought the Dolce after I'd lost 20 lb and didn't look back.

Marni - +100 on what Kubla said. Also you might want to check to see if one of your LBS will do layaway - that is how i am getting my Gunnar. I do know how how common a practice this is, but it is a nice thing to take advantage of. Parts are more expensive than I realized, so it will take me about a month longer than I anticipated to pay the Gunnar off - but they will allow me to come and visit my bike when it is complete and take it for spins in the neighborhood. Anyway, it is worth looking into as a possible option. I do like this much better than yet another credit account or waiting until I've saved everything (it seems that emergencies always come when I try to save for a specific item).

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Originally Posted by Roadtrip

I went to the LBS today to test ride a few bikes as it was sunny and in the 40's.
<little snip>
Then I did the WRONG thing... I got on a Ruby. ACCCKKKK. Ohhhh mmmmmyyyy gooooddd.
<and again>
After riding the Ruby I simply couldn't pry the smile off my face, so I could only imagine what the same bike, but the right size would feel like.

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:D I have nothing else to add here. :D

Except good luck in the new job!

Thanks hebe. I'll be missing my DH and bike while I'm away at training camp (ha ha-- like the big time racers-- just not on a bike), but it's all for a better future.

Shannon

Awesome. Good luck with the new job!

I really like that blue. Shrug.

just chiming in. I have an 08 Ruby Pro and love it. I up graded from the 05 Dolce Comp which I also loved, but I found such a great difference between Aluminum and Carbon.

I had given up my 05 Dolce, greatly regretted it because I would have used on the trainer and in bad weather. Last year I won a 2011 Dolce Elite with the Sram Apex. It takes a bit getting use to but really not bad to use. Needless to say I have my trainer and bad weather bike and have the best of both worlds.