Went looking for a new bike

[surgtech1956]

I stopped at the local Specialized shop. The salesman was very knowledgeable, he was also one of the owners. The three bikes he suggested were the Dolce, Allez and Secteur - I don't want to spend more than $1500 - I know this is pretty cheap compared to some of the bikes you gals own. In the Allez line I like the Sport or Elite, the Dolce Elite and the Secteur not sure, they had a Comp hanging up. I took a brochure and plan to return on Sunday. Any suggestions on these bikes? Compact or Triple? I plan on riding for fitness and try to rehab my ankle. Thank you

[westtexas]

I have a Dolce Elite Comp and I really like it. It was my first road bike and we've been on lots of adventures together. The only reason I am upgrading to a Cannondale Synapse is because the frame is too small for me (and I figured while upgrading, why not go whole hog?). Even with just Tiagra components it's been more than adequate to cycle >40 miles at a time in heavy winds and keeping up with other cyclists on fancier bikes. I think it's a well made bike and I've enjoyed riding it.

Just my two cents.

[Possegal]

All I can add is that my brother in law has an Allez and he loves it. He's put a lot of miles on it and when we were riding this weekend he was saying how he has no interest in another bike. He knows he'll have to replace a few things, but he likes it too much to think about another bike.

[Miranda]

For starter road bike, that's good. Just try to make sure it fits. Very important. Hopefully if the shop is good as you say you will have a correct size bike and they will fit you to it.

My first road bike did not. $1100+ waste money I just sold for a bargain to new owner that fits it.

Eventually, if you decide you road ride enough / love it, you might upgrade to carbon. The carbon helps suck up the road, versus your body sucking it up. Aluminum is light, but it's rough to ride, particularly as distance increases. Carbon is quite a bit more unfortunately.

Not sure what you are riding now, but I think any of your choices would be ok.

[surgtech1956]

Does it really matter if its a women's specific bike? Someone here on the forum that Specialized had/has problems with their 'triples', is this true?

[azfiddle]

Enjoy the bike hunting! I did not try the Dolce but just bought a Specialized Ruby and couldn't be happier with it! My husband has 2 older model (90's) steel Specialized bikes- one is an Allez, and the other has no markings to indicate the model- and he is happy with them as well.

As for the WSD model, personally, I am very short, with a short torso and that limited my choices to the women's specific design. But if you are not so petite and have a longer torso, the other models might work for you.

If all of them fit "on paper"- try them all and see if one feels better or fits better.

How does the Secteur differ from the Allez?

[Catrin]

Does it really matter if its a women's specific bike? Someone here on the forum that Specialized had/has problems with their 'triples', is this true?

It depends on your proportions and the company. Some women benefit, some do not. Some bike companies idea of "women specific" is to shave a centimeter off the top tube and paint it pink. Others do a good job with it.

If I understand your question about triples, I think that refers to some of us who have problem with our "q-factor" - which has to do with how far from the bike the crank has our feet - that is a bad way to explain it but it is my understanding. There are a few of us here that have problems with this but not everyone does. There are a couple here who cannot ride a triple - regardless of manufacturer.

It all boils down to what fits YOU. I wasted $1,100 on my first bike that was just too large for me and wound up selling it for $600. I do have fitting needs though that go beyond just my inseam and reach that I did not understand at the time.

I am not familiar with the bikes you are looking at, just wanted to emphasize how important fit is.