[Abb94]

Went road bike shopping this weekend and fell in love with the Specialized Dolce. While I am not wild about the little bit of pink that is on this all-black bike, I will live with it. It's better than some of the alternatives in women's bikes. I want the Dolce and I tested a Dolce Elite, which the person helping me said would fit the same (just better components).<br><br>
I got measured and need a 54... they didn't have that one in stock, so we are going to shop around a little and make sure that is the one I want (I think if they'd had it, I'd have bought it). I am going to ride a plain Dolce just to be sure...<br><br>
And I just ordered SPD clipless pedals (cause I already have the shoes for spinning class) and the bike shop will put them on for me.<br><br>
Anyway, I am excited! I may not get it for a couple of weeks, but I am on the path to a new bike! And I have an experienced rider friend who is going to help me learn to clip in and out, corner, and all of that good stuff.<br><br>
My hybrid's gears are all screwed up right now (the derailleur is messed up and I have not had time or patience to try to fix it myself, and would probably break something else in the process anyway), so I have been off the road for a couple of weeks (been going to spinning, though!).<br><br>
Anyway, sorry to ramble. I am just excited!!!<br><br>
Abb

 

[sierra]

That IS exciting!<br><br>
Be sure to post pics of your new baby when you get it! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[hally]

Wow you must be tall. I am 5'5" and take a 50<br>
Here is my new ride, it's a carbon, aluminum combo, ultegra rear and 105 front dérailleur and I got SPD pedals too. Not the best background to show off the merchandise <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><br><br><br><img alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1059/1396481460_34c73ee6a1.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[Abb94]

Hally - that is beautiful! I am 5'5" also but I have really long legs and a short torso, so the womens bikes are perfect for me!<br>
I want to post a pic from te specialized website, but I can't connect for some reason.

 

[hally]

Abby, mine is a womens specific design too (WSD). It's a 2008 model, they don't even show it on Cannondale's site yet. I took a chance ordering site unseen but love the colors.<br><br>
I know people have different bodies, but unless you are REALLY confident in your LBS that sounds really big for 5'5". What is your inseam? I'd check a few places just to be sure. Not saying it's not possible, but better be sure it's a big investment.<br>
Having a great LBS is almost as important as the bike I think. I LOVE this place, I called one of my buddies from the club and he said this is the store he preferred, I couldn't be more pleased. When I went in Saturday for the pedals which she installed and trained me on, I told her the saddle wasn't comfortable, she whipped it off, put another one on and told me to save the cardboard in case I didn't love it she could rehang it. And I said my neck was a little sore, the mechanic said he had to unwrap the handle bars to put a longer cable on to make it higher and took it and did it right then.<br>
Then Linda didn't like the way my wedge was hanging, she fooled with that till it was right. And they sent me off and said if anything wasn't perfect to come back and they'd adjust it. All that AND she discounted everything from the prices listed. And blew up a local kids basketball for him too cause the hardware store was closed. Plus she's a runner too and I think she may do tri's. Did I say I was crazy about this shop and lady? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

 

[Abb94]

I am going to a different store this weekend to see if they have them in stock, and I will have them measure me, also. I did test a 54 and it felt fine. I think my inseam is 29 or 30.<br>
Thank you for the advice - I definitely won't buy it until I know I am getting to correct size. But I am definitely getting that model. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"><br><br>
Thank you!

 

[hally]

I thought you were gonna say your inseam was like 33 or 34. My inseam is 31 ideally but they don't make that so I usually get too short or a little too long.<br>
That puts your legs as shorter then mine.....definitely check around on sizing.<br>
There are some online sites too, but best bet is ask avid cyclists to recommend a shop.

 

[mykemp1971]

One other thing to consider with the 50 vs 54 size differential. Some bike companies measuer frames center to top and some bike companies measure frames center to center.<br><br>
center to top (c-t) is the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the top tube (where the seat post is inserted)<br><br>
center to center (c-c) is the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the top tube.<br><br>
So a 52 cm c-t might well be a 50 cm c-c.<br><br>
One other thing just to confuse you (and I'm speaking totally on hypothesis not using any known facts)<br><br>
If Cannondale measures their frames c-c and Specialized measures their frames c-t, and each company uses different legnth top tubes etc. - it's very possible that a 50cm Cannondale might be sized very similarly to a 54cm Specialized.<br><br>
As you all have covered pretty well - all manufactures are different, some make a bike with a longer top tube, the geometry (handling) is different on all brands (and even on models within the same brand) - Just one other reason to try before you buy at a reputable shop <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"><br><br>
Happy Riding!<br><br>
Myron

 

[hally]

I was fitted to a Specialized WSD in another shop and it was a 51. Just saying.<br>
Another thing to consider.....what feels fine riding for 5 minutes in the parking lot may not feel fine after 20 miles. You want to be sure the store is going to work with you to get the fit right after purchase, seat moved, handlebars too.<br>
It might take more then one visit to get it tweaked correctly.<br>
The guy in the first shop which is a well known shop here locally with a good reputation said he has seen them take a bike back and trade if for another if they couldn't get the buyer comfortable on it.<br>
Anyway, I think it's nice looking. It's this one right? Get some cages to match the pink swirlies, it will look hot. Just my opinion but the Tiagra is the lowest end Shimano component, it might be worth to at least get something that has the 105. You should be able to get that in the same price range. That's the problem with biking as a sport, there is always something else to buy. At least running you buy your shoes and out the door you go.<br><img alt="" src="http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2008/bikes/DLC_Black_EL_9082-36.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[mykemp1971]

Very true... and at least with running... when you buy a pair of shoes, if you don't like the fit after a few runs, you're only usually out $80 or $90 vs with a bike you are out quite a bit (depending on the return policy of the store).<br><br>
I'm not too familiar with Tiagra stuff except that I do have a pair of the Tiagra STI levers on my Cyclocross bike I bought them on eBay just to save money. For the most part - I'd be inclined to agree with going with 105 if you can afford it. 105 has been Shimano's bread and butter for some time now. It's reliable, it's race ready... it's solid. No need to go to Ultegra or Dura-Ace for your first bike, although if you get the bug, you'll probably wind up with it eventually <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"><br><br>
I'm sort of a reformed cyclist now, and running is my main form of excercise, but I have 6 bikes in my garage, one if them is my wife's and one of them is my son's. I really want to get a Tri/TT specific bike, but I think I'm going to have to get rid of one of my other rides first <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[Abb94]

I'm going tomorrow to a different store... and I am going to keep my options open. I hope to go home with a bike tomorrow, but if I don't, I am fine with that. I want to find the right one for me.<br>
Thanks for all the great advice.

 

[hally]

Abbie,<br>
Good Luck! I hope you find one, if not let them order it for you.

 

[mykemp1971]

Good Luck Today Abby!<br><br>
Have fun test riding.

 

[Abb94]

Ended up getting a Felt. I love it. It's a 49! So the people measured me all wrong, or the Dolce is different, but I don't think it's THAT much different.<br><br>
Here's a picture of mine:<br><a href="http://www.feltracing.com/products/picture.asp?name=fw4.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.feltracing.com/products/p...p?name=fw4.jpg</a><br><br>
I have already fallen trying to learn to clip in and out - but at least it was in my living room. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> I did a short ride yesterday and did fine with the clipless pedals.

 

[mykemp1971]

Awesome! I really like the Felt's I'm looking at one of their TT/Tri specific bikes (as mentioned above if I can get DW to buy in on letting me have another bike <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"> )

 

[Abb94]

That sounds awesome! I hope your wife will see that you NEED the tri bike. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> The bike was like a car for me - once I get the car fever, there is no stopping me. Guess the bike was the same way.

 

[hally]

Congrats Abbie, glad you found a bike you love. And that you didn't get one that was too big for you.<br><br><br>
Funny story on our club ride yesterday about clipless pedals. I have only used them on two rides and was doing pretty good. But........yesterday at about 8:45 AM some bozo was honking like a lunatic at us, there were 10 of us riding on a quiet neighborhood street in single file. So me and my big mouth as he passes us I call him an asshole. Well, he slams on the brakes and the riders in front of me stopped. Seeing all these folks stopped I panicked and instead of unclipping I used his car as a brake. I was told I left a nice scratch on his passengers door but I was too nervous to look. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> I have a nick out of my handlebar tape but see no other bike damage. Anyway he was yelling and the ride leader said let's just go this guy is crazy so off we went.