Specialized Dolce/Road Bike Questions

[CycleChica28]

Hi everyone! I am looking into a new road bike and am on a limited budget. Does anyone have any suggestions? I was looking at the Specialized Dolce and there are two options, a Dolce Compact and a Dolce Triple. Do any of you know the difference between the two? I was reviewing the specs and am having a difficult time understanding the differences. I've also been looking into the Giant Avail 3. Any suggestions ladies?
Thanks!

[sarahkonamojo]

I have a 2006 Dolce Elite. (It has a triple Ultegra/Durace combo) It might be time to upgrade, but it has been a good ride for me. Fits well. Fit should be your first concern.
In general, Giant and Specialized can spec a pretty good bike because they make and sell so many of them. But make sure it fits.
As far as double vs triple... most are probably going compact double. But some will not leave their triples. As far as gear ratios go, they cover the same ground. The compact double just has fewer (some would say too many) options. Best to test ride the difference.
S

[Owlie]

Welcome to TE!

Provided they have the same level of componentry (Sora? Tiagra?) The difference between the two is a matter of gearing. The Compact has a compact double crankset, and the Triple has...well, a triple crankset. Two chainrings vs. three. This also means that there will be some differences in the cassettes (the gears in the back)--you lose the small chainring with the compact double, so there are usually more easy gears in back to make up for it. Which one is better largely depends on your level of fitness, and how hilly your area. Shifting, though is usually nicer on compact doubles than on triples.

I have an Avail 3, though it's a few years old and the componentry isn't exactly comparable. In similar measured sizes the top tubes are weirdly long. So you'll probably have to go a size smaller. (Specialized fits me better.)
Do you need a women-specific bike? If you have long legs relative to your torso, you might.
Other things to check out: Cannondale Synapse, Jamis Satellite, Trek Lexa. Test-ride everything and get what feels and fits best within your budget. Happy shopping!

[Kubla]

I have a 2009 Dolce Elite and went with a compact double instead of a triple. My other two bikes are triples, and it's sometimes hard for me to get into the 'compact double' mindset when riding the Dolce...I catch myself looking for more gears at times. If I had it to do over I'd get the triple, but I don't feel strongly enough about it to make the switch. It's a matter of personal preference.

I tried a number of road bikes but the Dolce kept putting a smile on my face when compared with the others. Ride as many bikes as you can until one sings to you. If your budget is limited, you also could consider a gently-used road bike in good condition. (Many high cycling aspirations can be found hanging in garages and hiding in basements.)

[zoom-zoom]

I've had a road bike with a triple, but now my road bike and CX bike both have compact doubles and I'd never go back. Cross-chaining is really not much of an issue with a compact and I have had only had one dropped chain in thousands of miles. With my triple (Shimano 105) I was forever having chains drop...frequently while just pedaling along and not shifting. Perhaps the issue is Shimano vs. SRAM (both of my current bikes are SRAM...technically my mtn. bike is SRAM, too, but that's a triple. I rarely use the smallest ring on that, though), but I suspect it's related more to triple vs. CD.

[Owlie]

I've had a road bike with a triple, but now my road bike and CX bike both have compact doubles and I'd never go back. Cross-chaining is really not much of an issue with a compact and I have had only had one dropped chain in thousands of miles. With my triple (Shimano 105) I was forever having chains drop...frequently while just pedaling along and not shifting. Perhaps the issue is Shimano vs. SRAM (both of my current bikes are SRAM...technically my mtn. bike is SRAM, too, but that's a triple. I rarely use the smallest ring on that, though), but I suspect it's related more to triple vs. CD.

Odd. Maybe it's you. I have crap Shimano on my bike (triple), and have yet (knock wood) to get a dropped chain, save the one that was caused by my crashing on ice.

[zoom-zoom]

It probably is me...I never did like 105. Once I went SRAM there was no looking back!

[OakLeaf]

I've got a 105 triple on mine too (long cage Ultegra RD) and I don't think I've ever dropped a chain (touch wood). Luv2climb, did another mechanic vet your gearing change? It does seem like a huge jump from middle to small ring. Why not change out the middle ring too? Geez, even on my regular road triple the middle ring is a 39. Seems like a 36 would be more in line with mountain gearing.


To the OP, +1 on test riding a lot of bikes and choosing the one that fits you best.

Basically if you need a wide range of gearing, the question of triple vs. compact comes down to what you'd call the powerband if your legs were an engine.

Are you comfortable pedaling in a wide range of RPMs - for extended periods if you need to? On your current bike, where the gearing makes its largest jumps, are you okay with that, or do you feel like you're always in the wrong gear, pedaling too fast with a downshift and too slowly with an upshift?

[luv2climb]

I have a 2011 Dolce Triple. I replaced the stock 13-26 cassette with a Shimano MegaRange 11-34 cassette, and the stock 30t small chainring with a 24t. This gives me mtb gearing that has allowed me to make it up every hill without having to do the "walk of shame".

The problem is the chain drops I get when I shift from the 42t middle ring to the 24t. It drives me nuts! I adjusted the chain catcher so it's parallel with the teeth in the small chainring, so it's probably the huge difference in chainring sizes between the 24t and the 42t.

Here's a picture of it from last weekend's ride.


'Share The Road' sign in Coloma, CA by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

[CycleChica28]

Wow! Thanks for all of the wonderful tips, you've all been extremely helpful and informative. Now, I need to hit up area stores, google and Craigslist to start testing some options out and to get a proper fitting. I'm 5'2 and about 140, so when I was fitted for my Giant FCR three years ago the specialist sized me at an XS frame. Can't wait to find the road bike I've always wanted! Thank you ladies!