My first road bike was a Specialized Dolce Sport Triple. I liked it, and I did a brutal climb with it successfully (triple!), although it had a lower-end components (Tiagra/Sora). I then also bought a men's LeMond (I have a long torso and wide shoulders, so I don't need a WSD) which was a lighter, faster bike. I rode both and liked them both, but the LeMond was soon my favorite.
I later decided I wanted a Scott carbon bike, and ended up selling the Dolce to help pay for the Scott. I just picked up my Contessa Foil yesterday (it's an aero bike but pretty similar geometry to the other Contessas) and got it with a compact Dura-Ace. I just completed a 104 mile century today with a ton of climbing, and it was GREAT. Definitely would not have had such a good time on that ride on the Dolce.
Now, I don't know what the newer Dolces are like (mine was a 2010), and as someone else said, the bike fit is important. So I guess what I'm saying is I've had both bikes and I prefer the Scott; it's up to you which one you like more.
Last edited by MojoGrrl; 04-08-2012 at 05:52 PM.
2013 Volagi Viaje
2002 LeMond Tete de Course rebuild/"The Chimaera"
2012 Scott Contessa Foil with Dura-Ace
2011? budget "Takara Kabuto" Single Speed/Fixie "The Bumblebee"
1999 Santana Team Ti 700 tandem/"Silver Streak"