New biker buying a Dolan. Advice required please.

[Redstev]

Hi

I bought a secondhand Specialised bike a few months ago to get me started, and have been enjoying cycling, been doing 35 miles on my Sunday ride.

I now want to get a carbon and like the idea of buying a Dolan as there based in my home town and within my budget.

I've seen the Dolan Le Tape and like the look of it but I'm no expert so would like to know if you would go for the
Campag Velco group set or the Shimano 105 5800 or the Sram rival 22 group sets.
I don't know the difference between the three ?
Sorry for the ignorance.
Also considering upgrading the wheels to Mavic Cosmic Elite S, would this be a good choice ?

I'm 6ft 2 and am currently ride a 58cm frame but the biggest frame Dolan do is 56cm, would that be to small for me ?

Thanks in advance for your help and advise.
Steve.

 

[Spiderweb]

If Dolan are local then go and have a test ride on the 56cm frame. If you are comfortable on your Specialized then take some measurements and compare top tube lengths.
Having looked on the Dolan website their sizing seems odd, the 56cm frame has a very long 59.5cm top tube which you would usually find on a bigger frame. The l'etape frame has a compact geometry so maybe the 56cm relates to the actual size of the seat tube and not the effective length of the seat tube.
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/dolan-l-etape-carbon-road-bike-sram-rival-22.html
Dolan describe the 56cm as XL suitable for 6'1" - 6'5"

 

[vickster]

@richie244 got one last year

On sizing, go to Dolan for advice and trial. They are extremely helpful by all accounts

Try the different group sets, personally I'm a SRAM girl, Shimano don't fit my hand shape/size, not tried Campag. I'd only have on an Italian bike myself

@Spiderweb they don't use the TT for the 'size' label as you've observed. Like Boardman for example

 

[Kestevan]

As per @vickster give Dolan a ring, their sales guys are pretty clued up and very helpful.
Their sizing is rather "odd", the bikes are much more stretched out for the "nominally" same size as other manufactures.

With regards groupset all 3 are fine pieces of kit. They all have different hood shapes (with SRAM possibly more suitable for smaller hands). They have different methods of changing gear...Shimano uses lever and moving brake lever, SRAM has a single lever with 2 types of "push", and Campag uses a single lever and a "button" on the side of the hood. All work well once you're used to them.

However... Campag tends to be less common than the other two, and parts and service tools tend to cost more and can be harder to source....

Personally I'd not bother with the Cosmics as an upgrade. They're probably not a vast improvement on the standard wheels. The "deep" rim is unlikely to be deep enough to offer many aero benefits, they're not particularly light and low spoke count factory radial wheels can be a bit fragile (if you're a larger gent like me especially). Personally I'd keep my money in my pocket unless I could spend a bit more on a properly nice set of wheels.... Having said that, if you prefer the looks then go for it, they wont be any worse than the stock wheels, and a bit of bling never hurts.

 

[MarquisMatsugae]

OH MY GOD !!!!!!!!
DON'T BUY A DOLAN !!!!!!!



















Ok then,buy a Dolan
Nice bikes .

 

[Redstev]

Thanks for advise guys.
I've been to Dolan showroom and looked at the Le Tape with Shimano 105 and thinking of upgrading wheels to Mavic Askium ones.

Thanks for advise.

 

[gelfy666]

Thanks for advise guys.
I've been to Dolan showroom and looked at the Le Tape with Shimano 105 and thinking of upgrading wheels to Mavic Askium ones.

Thanks for advise.

piccies when you get it......... as im considering the blue version 105 when a 10% off voucher pops up.

 

[Redstev]

Will do gelfy.
I'm getting bike on Friday.

 

[Nibor]

Dolan do a bike fit if you visit to order

 

[gelfy666]

well, how is it?

 

[gelfy666]

Bit gutted, been waiting to get one for a while but other things have needed my £££, but now I see they've gone up in price

 

[vickster]

I'm sure they'll come down again

 

[smokeysmoo]

I've been to Dolan showroom and looked at the Le Tape with Shimano 105

IME you can't go wrong with Shimano (unless you have likkle hands perhaps).

SRAM needs to be tested to see if you like their double tap system, some do, some don't.

Campag Veloce IME is too agricultural, others disagree though.

Some even say Campag wears in and Shimano wears out

Horses for courses innit

 

[gelfy666]

The 105 has just gone up £130
Shouldn't have waited should I lol.

 

[Redstev]

It's fantastic thanks, went for Shimano 105 upgraded wheels to mavics and it came in dead on a grand.
Bike is smooth and faster than my specialised.
Thanks for all the advise.
I'd post a pic but don't know how to.