hi calla!

i love my dolce elite! i don't have anything really compare it to since it's my first bike.. but from the ones i was trying at stores... i liked the shorter reach on the shifters/brakes and i LOVE the bar phat! (if i had picked another bike i would have spent the money to add bar phat to any other brand!)

i don't know what you mean about the gearing mechanism being weird.. i thought that all the shimanos worked basically the same??? but i do like how mine work.. i believe i have ultegras which are one of the things upgraded from the sport.

i'm 5'2" and i have a 51cm. that is what was suggested to me by each bike shop i visited. so i assume it's correct! i can stand over the bar they commented at a couple of the stores that i have long legs (so i guess i have a short torso.. so the woman's compact works good for me!)

now that i've been riding it a few weeks i like it better than the first week.. poor hubby.. i was constantly griping to him the first week... but i see now i was just getting used to riding... i don't have issues with the seat anymore (hubby did adjust it for me) and even on my longest ride (30 miles) last weekend.. i didn't have any shoulder type pain.. so i guess it fits well??

if you have any other questions.. feel free to ask.. just remember.. i'm a newbie!