My new bike is the Dolce Elite and I like her. The gear shift (back derailleur) is an absolute dream. Just click up and down as required. The brakes are good too. Just gentle pressure. They're not like my old bike's brakes which you had to use quite a bit of pressure with - as is common with older bikes. Handling is different to my other bike but I've only had my bike since Saturday and already I'm getting used to the handling. I find it very precise. To start with I found I was swinging corners wide but now I'm taking them better than with my old bike.

Could be that the bike you tried didn't fit you. That would throw your balance off and make the bike difficult to handle. You need a bike that fits you. The other more experienced ladies on the forum will correct me if I'm wrong on this as I'm still a relative novice to cycling.

For my own Dolce Elite, I think I'm going to have a long and happy, fun-filled relationship with her