Trying to decide between two new bikes

I am not a road bike person... at least I haven't been. I have a Trek FX 7.3 that I use around town, but I am pretty much a mtb kind of person. Even if it's not on the single track, I still enjoy being out in the woods on the fire roads or gravel roads in our forests. But...my partner just had a knee replacement mid-August and is already to the point where she can ride. She cannot ride her mtb because her doctor told her not to fall just yet (like falling is planned)... she test rode a Felt Z85 today, loved it and bought it. I test rode a Specialized Dolce Sport Compact and a Trek Lexa SL (triple) and need to decide between the two. I liked both of them. I am not that knowledgeable about road bikes. There are some nice paved paths in addition to some really nice scenic bikeways near our other house so we would still use them in the future when we are in the part of the state where things move slower. They are both 2012 models and each about 300 discounted from regular price on clearance. Does it come down to color? Opinions? I want to get one of them tomorrow evening and I do have time to test ride again at lunch.

How was the fit on each bike?

For me, I think it would come down to which fit best and needed the fewest parts swapped out to make me comfortable. (I'm picky about things like handlebars, stems, and saddles.)

The fit on both of these was great. I tried a few others that immediately felt wrong and a couple that were ok, but these two both were comfortable.

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Which do you like better? ;)

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I like both...I am going to test ride again at lunch then think the rest of the day. I will need one to use on Sunday. I am leaning toward the Specialized Dolce just because there is something about the lines of it that are appealing and they flow.... but the Trek is the same color as my Trek MTB and they would match. There are worse problems to have, but I wish I didn't have to choose.

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Originally Posted by TrekDianna

The fit on both of these was great. I tried a few others that immediately felt wrong and a couple that were ok, but these two both were comfortable.

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Wow! Your bikes are multiplying in your stable :rolleyes:

Since you like both equally and since the price is similar for both, how about choosing which LBS gives you the better service (ie. lifetime free service/tuneups for the orginal owner) or a free certified bike fit if you buy a bike from their store?
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)

It looks like the Lexa has Tiagra components while the Dolce has Sora. I think Tiagra is better.

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Originally Posted by ny biker

It looks like the Lexa has Tiagra components while the Dolce has Sora. I think Tiagra is better.

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This lexa has sora. It's the ST I think..

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Originally Posted by TigerMom

Wow! Your bikes are multiplying in your stable :rolleyes:

Since you like both equally and since the price is similar for both, how about choosing which LBS gives you the better service (ie. lifetime free service/tuneups for the orginal owner) or a free certified bike fit if you buy a bike from their store?

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They are both at the same LBS. They have great service. Fittings are included. I've even gone back months later and got stems swapped at no charge! I rode both again at lunch and they still both feel equally good. I think I'm going with the specialized Dolce because there is just something about the lines and the flow that really attracts me.

If all else is the same, I'm partial to Specialized. There are horror stories about Trek customer service on this forum and others while Specialized customer service seems to be good. This is all hearsay of course, from internet forums and not from personal experience, but something to consider. Also, I'm biased as I like the sleeker look of Specialized bikes.

I have the Trek and love it....but you should get the one you are partial to...or you will always wish you did!

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Originally Posted by jyyanks

If all else is the same, I'm partial to Specialized. There are horror stories about Trek customer service on this forum and others while Specialized customer service seems to be good. This is all hearsay of course, from internet forums and not from personal experience, but something to consider. Also, I'm biased as I like the sleeker look of Specialized bikes.

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I think Specialized bikes are kinda fugly with those arched top tubes (my hubby has a Roubaix and he even thinks it's kinda goofy lookin')...but I would buy a Spec. long before I would buy a Trek--and I grew up in WI--because of the stories I have read just in the past year or two. Trek seems a bit too big for their britches.

Certain Fuji models (Gran Fondo and the Supreme) do that weird humped top tube thing. But my personal preference is Specialized.

I like Specialized. I ride a dolce elite and i love it. I originally wanted a ruby, but the fit was all wrong for me.

Well, I went in at lunch and rode and then rode again after work. I am going with the Specialized Dolce. I already have 2 Treks and 1 Specialized so now they are equal :) I like the curve on the top bar, it's one of the things that attracted me. I like the lines. I didn't have time to ride tonight, and won't until Sunday since i have a conference to attend in Tucson, but it's here and I can look at it and ride in the driveway until tomorrow (4 miles of gravel if I leave my driveway so no jumping out there) This one just felt right and looking at it makes me smile. :)

Congrats on the new addition to your collection! It's great that you found one that feels right to you and that it makes you happy just by looking at it. That just means it'll be that much better when you're out riding it. I feel the same way with my bike :)

I predict thousands of happy miles in your future--congrats! :D

Yay! Congrats!

Congrats in your decision! I rode a Dolce Elite for almost a year, and just recently moved on, but I loved my Dolce! I love the lines on the specialized bikes too, and I really appreciate how much effort they put into their women's specific products and into women's racing. Anyway, congrats again!

Thanks all. It's like I left my kid or something. It's killing me that I am at a conference and I have a new unridden bike at home.

Update.... I kept thinking about the Trek Lexa that I test rode a few times and loved along with the Dolce. I just couldn't stop thinking about both of them. So, yes, you guessed it. I came home from the conference and went to the LBS and bought the Lexa also. Now, I just need to decide which one to leave at the house that is 2.5 hours away. I am thinking the Dolce since the MTB there is the Myka. OOO Happy dance.

Nice! You can never have too many bikes.

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Originally Posted by thekarens

Nice! You can never have too many bikes.

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That's what it seems like :)

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Finally picked it up today!!!

Pretty! Same colors as my partners ex 8

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Originally Posted by thekarens

Pretty! Same colors as my partners ex 8

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Really? Very cool. I love how the blue and black and white look together. I also love how it feels to ride. Out on the dolce tomorrow though since I haven't had a change to fiddle around with saddle position etc yet.

Yep, the colors are very striking.