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
'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