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24-03.-2007, 05:05 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1
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Help a Newbie: Which road bike has better overall specs?
My LBS is offering the '05 Specialized Dolce Elite for $850, and the '06 Specialized Dolce Elite for $900. They say that the '06 has better overall specs, even though the '05 has an Ultegra rear derailleur (the '06 has a 105 rear derailleur). They also said something about the '06 having a better crankset. I want to just double check my LBS's recommendation with you experienced folks - which bike has better overall specs? And which one would you buy? As a newbie I would appreciate your opinions!
'05 Specialized Dolce Comp: # Frame: Specialized Designs for Women, compact geometry, Columbus E5 SLX, fully double-butted, heat-treated, # Fork: Specialized Carbon Zertz, bonded carbon fiber legs, 7075 alloy threadless steerer # Rear Shock: N/A # Saddle: Body Geometry Dolce, women's, leather, Cr-Mo rails # Seatpost: Specialized carbon fiber, 27.2x350mm, silver # Handlebar: Specialized Zertz Womens, 31.8mm diameter # Stem: Specialized Pro, 3D forged alloy, 31.8mm bar clamp, 4-position adjustable # Headset: Specialized Mindset, 1 1/8ö integrated threadless, with triple sealed cartridge bearings, 20mm alloy # Shift Levers: Shimano 105, STI, Slim Shim short reach adaptors, flight deck compatible # Front Derailleur: Shimano 105, 31.8mm clamp # Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra, long cage # Front Brake: Dual pivot, forged alloy, with cartridge multi-condition pads # Rear Brake: Dual pivot, forged alloy, with cartridge multi-condition pads # Front Brake Lever: Shimano 105, STI, with short reach adaptors # Rear Brake Lever: Shimano 105, STI, with short reach adaptors # Crankset: FSA Gossamer, 2-piece, five arm, super polished arms # Chainrings: 52Ax42Ax30S # Pedals: Composite body, alloy cage, Cr-Mo axle # Rear Cogs: Shimano 105, 9-speed, 12x25t # Front Rim: Alex ALX-295, 700c, alloy double wall, machined sidewalls # Rear Rim: Alex ALX-295, 700c, alloy double wall, machined sidewalls # Front Hub: Alex ALX-295, 20 hole, sealed bearing, silver, alloy QR # Rear Hub: Alex ALX-295, 24 hole, cassette, sealed bearing, silver, alloy QR # Front Tire: Specialized All Condition Pro, 700 x 23c, 120TPI, Kevlar bead # Rear Tire: Specialized All Condition Pro, 700 x 23c, 120TPI, Kevlar bead '06 Specialized Dolce Comp: FRAME Specialized E5, fully manipulated Columbus E5 SLX tubing, Designs for Women performance road compact design FORK Specialized FACT carbon fork, carbon fiber legs and crown, 7075 alloy threadless steerer, Zertz inserts HEADSET Specialized Mindset Plus, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, sealed stainless steel cartridge bearings, alloy 20mm cone with two 5mm alloy spacers STEM Specialized Pro, 3D forged alloy, 31.8mm bar clamp, 4-position adjustable HANDLEBARS Specialized Zertz Womens Comp handlebar, short-reach drop, 31.8 Clamp TAPE Body Geometry Bar Phat, cork ribbon with 2.5mm gel padding FRONT BRAKE Dual pivot, forged alloy w/cartridge multi-condition pads REAR BRAKE Dual pivot, forged alloy w/cartridge multi-condition pads BRAKE LEVERS Shimano 105, 9-speed, STI, flight deck compatible, with brake lever extensions FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano 105, 9-speed, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano 105, 9-speed, long cage SHIFT LEVERS Shimano 105, 9-speed, STI, flight deck compatible CASSETTE Shimano HG50 12-25t CHAIN Shimano HG73, 9-speed CRANKSET Sugino Direct Drive, 2-piece crankset CHAINRINGS 52x42x30T BOTTOM BRACKET Sugino integrated, exterior cartridge bearings, alloy PEDALS Composite body, alloy cage, with toe clips and straps RIMS Alex ALX 298 alloy double wall rim, machined sidewalls FRONT HUB Alex ALX 298, 20 hole, QR REAR HUB Alex ALX 298, 24 hole, aluminum freehub body, four cartridge bearings, QR SPOKES Stainless 14g FRONT TIRE Specialized All Condition Comp, 700x23c, aramid bead, 60TPI REAR TIRE Specialized All Condition Comp, 700x23c, aramid bead, 60TPI TUBES Specialized presta tube SADDLE Body Geometry Dolce Women's saddle, leather cover, Cr-Mo rails SEAT POST Specialized carbon fiber, 27.2mm SEAT BINDER Specialized CNC, Alloy |
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25-03.-2007, 02:44 PM
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#2 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Kalgoorlie Australia
Posts: 505
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Re: Help a Newbie: Which road bike has better overall specs?
Quote:
There's not a great deal of difference, it's more a preference thing. I'd take them both for a ride and decide from there |
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15-04.-2007, 06:39 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 13
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Re: Help a Newbie: Which road bike has better overall specs?
Wow these bikes are very good value
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24-04.-2007, 09:14 AM
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#4 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 318
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Re: Help a Newbie: Which road bike has better overall specs?
Just want to double check - you said you were looking at "Dolce Elite" but the specs you listed were for the "Dolce Comp". Are they the same bikes? In the Specialized Allez line they are not.
In my experience, the component specs often go "downhill" from one year to the next for the same model. With this bike, the components are pretty much the same, except the 05 has an Ultegra rear derailleur, the 06 has a 105. This is a minor difference, but Ultegra is more expensive than 105. The cranks are different, but I have no idea of which is better. The rims/hubs and the front forks seem to be slightly different, but I have NO idea whether they are in fact different, or which is better. Chances are they are the same, but with different names or model numbers that change from year to year without any functional change. One final difference I see - which may or may not exist - is that the 06 says the shifters are "flight deck compatable". Flight Deck is a shimano computer system that is similar to other computers out there with the exception that it can give you a graphic display of what front and rear gears you're using. I just bought a used bike that came with this, and so far I actually find it handy. Would I spend the money on it? I don't know, but I kind of like it. The Flight Deck's other features I could get with other common computers that aren't very expensive. The other specs are very similar if not identical as far as I can tell. Also, my WAG is that the frame geometry has not changed from one year to the next. If so, that would be a significant factor. If not - if you feel any difference in the ride, it would be because of differences in set up from one to the other, which means you could change the one that doesn't feel as good to be the same as the one that feels better. Long and short: None of the differences I see are very significant if at all. Unless the frame geometry or construction is different from one year to the other (doesn't appear to be), you should make your decision on either (a) saving the $50, or (b) the Flight Deck compatability, or (c) the color (which might indeed be worth $50 to you! - it would to me if I really didn't like one of the colors). Frankly, the color is probably the most important, seriously. |
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27-08.-2007, 07:57 PM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11
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Re: Help a Newbie: Which road bike has better overall specs?
Two seperate bikes....The Elite is a little more expensive with some better componets I believe
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27-08.-2007, 10:17 PM
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#6 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 179
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Re: Help a Newbie: Which road bike has better overall specs?
first, i think you will like the specialized road bikes, I love my Allez a ton (and got it on clearance last nov as well!)
Second, ride both bikes and see which one YOU like the best. do you like the color of one better? thats important to look at too. either bike should be very good to you for many years to come! |
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