Help for a very undecided girl on her new bike! =)

[Owlie]

Welcome to TE! Try as many as you can, and see how they feel. I will always take a little less bang-for-buck, as it were, if it fits better. (I learned that the hard way.)

I do agree that if it makes you smile and it fits you and your budget, get it!

[azfiddle]

Specialized does make a good bike, but I second what Owlie said about fit and trying a few bikes. You'll be happier in the long run. I have the carbon cousin to the Dolce (a Ruby) - and I love the bike, but not every bike fits every person.

[Skippyak]

DO you get to pay through the nose for Spec in Oz? It might be worth looking at what is competitive in your local market. 1000$USD goes quite a way in the USA but not so far in Oz. KNow what you want from your bike, I have ridden with people who really regretted their first purchase because they had to upgrade so soon. 1000USD is a lot for a leisure bike (enough that you would fret about leaving it locked up outside in a city) but not a ton for a road bike that would allow you to grow for a few years.

[Koronin]

I also agree that if you can test ride several to do so. The only WSD bike I've tried that I even feel comfortable on is the Specilaized Ameria. However that's a carbon bike with a more agressive positioning than the Ruby or Dulce. I also tested the Dulce and felt to compressed/squeezed on it. (also felt the same way on the Trek Lexa). The bike I ended up buying is the Felt F5, it's unisex/men's bike and it fits me great. Definately test as many as you can.

[MGM]

I third the suggestion that you try several different brands and models, as you need to find the right fit for your body. That said, I really do like the Dolce at that price point. I think Specialized offers a well thought-out bike for the money. I rode the Dolce before I decided to spend more and go with a carbon fiber frame, the Spec Ruby.

You may also want to try the Trek Lexa. Giant and Felt make really good bikes too. I really liked the ride of the Felts a lot, and they are somewhat less costly than Specialized.