Specialised Dolce 2014 women specific frame

[gbs]

My daughter has spotted this at a v reasonable price as a possible first road bike.

1. is women specific really important?
2. Shimano Claris may be at the botttom end of the Shimano range but seems v reasonably priced and disadvantages are acceptable. Any contrary views?

 

[jack smith]

Women specific.. No difference really apart from colour (which is daft) id ride a womens bike if it rode well who cares. Claris is okay for what it is its cheap but does the job just like the 1k parts do but just not as crisp, although on my £50 mtb the rear mech shifting is slicker than the sram red i had and shimano ultegra

 

[Hill Wimp]

For what it's worth i have the 2013 model and it's a brilliant bike.

I am bias towards Spech as i have had them for years and they are the ones that fit me best. The womens specific geometry is a bit more than just a different colour, the sizing is completly different such as length and positioning of the top bar. Women tend to have a shorter reach. However i am a great believer in trying out several bikes forgetting what gender the manufacturer suggests and if it suits you then thats the bike for you.

I can honestly say should my shed catch fire this is the bike i would grab first.

 

[GetAGrip]

For what it's worth i have the 2013 model and it's a brilliant bike.

I am bias towards Spech as i have had them for years and they are the ones that fit me best. The womens specific geometry is a bit more than just a different colour, the sizing is completly different such as length and positioning of the top bar. Women tend to have a shorter reach. However i am a great believer in trying out several bikes forgetting what gender the manufacturer suggests and if it suits you then thats the bike for you.

I can honestly say should my shed catch fire this is the bike i would grab first.

It's like you read my mind and put it in print!!

 

[Broadside]

Women specific.. No difference really apart from colour (

This isn't right, there is quite a lot more to it than that. There are specific geometry changes, narrower handle bars, different stem lengths, women's specific saddles. As the poster above says there are differences for the female form and the women's specific models come with most of the required changes as standard. You can of course make most of the changes to almost any bike but that comes at additional cost after the initial purchase. This then makes the women's specific bikes a sensible option.

 

[jack smith]

Sorry I don't think I was too clear what I meant was any "regular" bike will fit a woman just fine with the usual tweaks any male would do such as saddle, stem length ect same goes for a woman's model really a man could ride it no issues

 

[vickster]

Sorry I don't think I was too clear what I meant was any "regular" bike will fit a woman just fine with the usual tweaks any male would do such as saddle, stem length ect same goes for a woman's model really a man could ride it no issues

The geometries are different. Also, stem, saddle, cranks, bars may need switching and that doesn't come cheap. I am 5'10 and would need to change all of those things potentially on a men's bike. The important thing is to get a bike that fits, be it wsd or 'unisex'. Better if don't need to spend lots making changes
WSD bikes are also less likely to be all black