Specialized Dolce good for paved bike trail?

[LivinOurLuvSong]

Thank you for your replies. My husband and I rode our bikes to the bike shop today and looked at the specialized. He is leaning that way too. It was raining so we didnt get to test ride them. We are going back on Thursday. I loved the shop's feel and everyone was so helpful. Not at all the experience we had at the LBS that handles Trek. I also love that I can ride my bike to the shop. Getting so excited! Did 30 miles today on my cheap bike can not wait to see if a road bike will tackle more miles with ease.

[Owlie]

I have Giant's equivalent of the Dolce (but the Dolce fits me better!), and I ride it on paved bike paths all the time. In fact, I prefer it to riding on the road!

[snyderd25]

I have a Specialized Dolce... I got it 5 years ago for a triathlon and have ridden sporadically until this year. It certainly served me well, but now that my needs have changed and I am riding longer distances, I am ready for a carbon frame and some better components.

So... if you think you'll stick to the trail and rides under 30-40 miles, I can't recommend the Dolce enough... but if you think you will start riding longer distances, you may want to consider a different model.

[Kubla]

I have an '09 Dolce Elite and it's great on paved roads. I tried a number of different models a few years ago; this was the bike that kept putting a big grin on my face. (We will need to see photos when you've made your purchase.)

[Jo-n-NY]

The Dolce is a great bike. It was my first road bike back in 2005 and I rode a couple of centuries on her. I did replace it with a Specialized Ruby after putting 4,000 miles on her but then won one in a raffle use it as my secondary/trainer bike. Anyway, the Dolce certainly is a great bike to ride on paved roads and although the Ruby is more comfortable to ride longer distances, the Dolce really was a good bike for that also.

[ZenBiker]

The Dolce is a great bike. It was my first road bike back in 2005 and I rode a couple of centuries on her. I did replace it with a Specialized Ruby after putting 4,000 miles on her but then won one in a raffle use it as my secondary/trainer bike. Anyway, the Dolce certainly is a great bike to ride on paved roads and although the Ruby is more comfortable to ride longer distances, the Dolce really was a good bike for that also.

This is almost exactly what I did when I got into road biking - except my mileage is lower than Jo-n-NY's (and I never won a bike raffle!)

I rode a Dolce for a few years and it served me well. I enjoyed riding it so much I started doing longer rides and signing up for event rides, and eventually upgraded to a Ruby which I absolutely love. So if the Dolce fits and feels good, it will be a great recreational ride for you.

Edited to add: Ah, I see you bought it - congrats!! I think you will have many happy hours with that bike. Enjoy!

[countrygirl]

Thank you for your replies. My husband and I rode our bikes to the bike shop today and looked at the specialized. He is leaning that way too. It was raining so we didnt get to test ride them. We are going back on Thursday. I loved the shop's feel and everyone was so helpful. Not at all the experience we had at the LBS that handles Trek. I also love that I can ride my bike to the shop. Getting so excited! Did 30 miles today on my cheap bike can not wait to see if a road bike will tackle more miles with ease.

HA! I just had to comment that for whatever reason I've had the same experience, the Trek shop people (2 stores) were just not at all very friendly or helpful, really off-putting actually... and the Specialized fellas have all been so nice, genuine and down to earth. I'm psyched I just bought a Specialized for my first mountain bike because now I will be dealing with them for my bike's needs... and I feel sorry for my BF, his new TRek Cobia is no doubt a great bike but now he has to deal with those Trek shop guys foreveeeer!! LOL! I tried to get him to check out Specialized bikes more seriously but... we like what we like.

[LivinOurLuvSong]

Hmm Country Girl your not located in South Carolina are you lol?

SO today I bought my Specialized Dolce!! So excited test rode her and it was just a wonderful feeling of this is the one I am guessing I am going to need some shorts with that seat though..

Thank you everyone for your replies it made me even more confident in my choice.

[countrygirl]

Hmm Country Girl your not located in South Carolina are you lol?

SO today I bought my Specialized Dolce!! So excited test rode her and it was just a wonderful feeling of this is the one I am guessing I am going to need some shorts with that seat though..

Thank you everyone for your replies it made me even more confident in my choice.

Lol, no I'm on the west coast, but apparently we live parallel lives in a twi-light zoney kinda way, lol. Oh, and I just ordered my first Specialized bike too, big congrats on your new bike! High fives!

[murielalex]

Congrats on your new bike! Definitely get some shorts and don't be afraid to try out different saddles if the one that came with the bike brings you more pain than just getting used to it brings. Wishing you many happy, safe miles!

[hebe]

Congratulations! Enjoy your new ride +1 to shorts, and think about changing the saddle if it doesn't work for you.

[LivinOurLuvSong]

Thanks Ladies! I am about to go for my first ride on it. I ended up getting some hincapie shorts. The store isnt too far from my house and they seemed like good quality. I will have to take some pictures