Bianchi Eros Donna vs. Specialized Dolce? another girly bike thread

Joanne (from Cape Cod) <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> The Dolce Comp has an
>aluminum frame and the Donna is steel. I have always ridden steel
>frames (in fact, I have always ridden Bianchis) and have no idea if
>I'd like an aluminum frame. What I am trying to figure out is why the
>Dolce Comp is $500 more than the Donna (MSRP: $1790 vs $1250) and what
>I'd be getting for the extra money.

Just from their spec's, and while I don't want to enter a discussion
of which Campagnolo and Shimano groupsets are equivalent, the Dolce
Comp has Ultegra components, Shimano's second-best groupset, while
the Donna has Mirage components, Campagnolo's second-worst groupset.
I'd guess that the Dolce's components are more expensive and that
this accounts for most of the price difference.

As for the frame material, the new edition of the book Bicycling
Science describes a double-blind test where experienced racers rode
a variety of bikes, whose frames were covered so they couldn't be
seen, and then were asked to identify the frame material. It is
reported that in general they could not do this accurately from the
ride of the bike alone. I suspect that if you did not know the frame
material before riding the bikes you would not find any observable
differences between them which could be attributed to the frame
materials as opposed to, say, the frame geometries. On the other
hand, if you know what the frame is made of you will no doubt find
the aluminum frame rigid and harsh, the steel frame to be smooth but
flexy, and a carbon fiber frame to be stiff but with near-magical
vibration-damping qualities. Or, at least, everyone else does
(including me, to be honest).

I'd note, however, that the spec pages for both those bikes claim
they are both steel (Columbus tubing for one, Reynolds for the other).
Are you sure the bike you were looking at was a 2005 Dolce Comp?

Dennis Ferguson

On Tue, 04 Jan 2005 10:57:28 -0500, "Joanne (from Cape Cod)"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Happy New Year, roadies. Long-time lurker here. I was injured in a
>bike-car crash and can't train for a while and now I have time to
>read.
>
>I am writing to ask for input in selecting my next bike. I am a 5'2"
>female. I want a bike that is comfortable for a 50 mile ride and
>nimble enough so I can keep up with my riding partners. I rode a
>Bianchi Eros Donna for one season until it was destroyed in the crash.
>I found the "women specific" geometry to be comfortable. I am
>considering another Donna but am also looking at a more expensive
>women-specific bike, the Specialized Dolce Comp. The Dolce Comp has an
>aluminum frame and the Donna is steel. I have always ridden steel
>frames (in fact, I have always ridden Bianchis) and have no idea if
>I'd like an aluminum frame. What I am trying to figure out is why the
>Dolce Comp is $500 more than the Donna (MSRP: $1790 vs $1250) and what
>I'd be getting for the extra money. Any input, especially from someone
>who has experience with both bikes, would be appreciated. Thanks in
>advance.
>
>-Joanne (from Cape Cod)
>
>(remove 'tastyspam' to reply)

Hi Joanne, I just took a look at both websites, the Dolce Comp is also
steel. the price differences are mostly due to components. It looks
like the Dolce Elite would be a closer comparison. Just from an
appearance standpoint the Dolce Comp is a much better looking bike
than the Eros Donna.
The 2005 Dolce Comp lists for $1900 -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Here is the Bianchi -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

A possible main difference for you will be the shifters, were your old
ones Campagnolo? The Bianchi has Campy, while the Specialized has
Shimano. Another option, would be to have a bike built for you. I
think it could be done for what the Dolce Comp costs.


Life is Good!
Jeff

On Tue, 04 Jan 2005 10:57:28 -0500, "Joanne (from Cape Cod)"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Happy New Year, roadies. Long-time lurker here. I was injured in a
>bike-car crash and can't train for a while and now I have time to
>read.
>
>I am writing to ask for input in selecting my next bike. I am a 5'2"
>female. I want a bike that is comfortable for a 50 mile ride and
>nimble enough so I can keep up with my riding partners. I rode a
>Bianchi Eros Donna for one season until it was destroyed in the crash.
>I found the "women specific" geometry to be comfortable. I am
>considering another Donna but am also looking at a more expensive
>women-specific bike, the Specialized Dolce Comp. The Dolce Comp has an
>aluminum frame and the Donna is steel. I have always ridden steel
>frames (in fact, I have always ridden Bianchis) and have no idea if
>I'd like an aluminum frame. What I am trying to figure out is why the
>Dolce Comp is $500 more than the Donna (MSRP: $1790 vs $1250) and what
>I'd be getting for the extra money. Any input, especially from someone
>who has experience with both bikes, would be appreciated. Thanks in
>advance.
>
>-Joanne (from Cape Cod)
>
>(remove 'tastyspam' to reply)

Hi Joanne, I just took a look at both websites, the Dolce Comp is also
steel. the price differences are mostly due to components. It looks
like the Dolce Elite would be a closer comparison. Just from an
appearance standpoint the Dolce Comp is a much better looking bike
than the Eros Donna.
The 2005 Dolce Comp lists for $1900 -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Here is the Bianchi -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

A possible main difference for you will be the shifters, were your old
ones Campagnolo? The Bianchi has Campy, while the Specialized has
Shimano. Another option, would be to have a bike built for you. I
think it could be done for what the Dolce Comp costs.


Life is Good!
Jeff

On Tue, 04 Jan 2005 10:57:28 -0500, "Joanne (from Cape Cod)"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Happy New Year, roadies. Long-time lurker here. I was injured in a
>bike-car crash and can't train for a while and now I have time to
>read.
>
>I am writing to ask for input in selecting my next bike. I am a 5'2"
>female. I want a bike that is comfortable for a 50 mile ride and
>nimble enough so I can keep up with my riding partners. I rode a
>Bianchi Eros Donna for one season until it was destroyed in the crash.
>I found the "women specific" geometry to be comfortable. I am
>considering another Donna but am also looking at a more expensive
>women-specific bike, the Specialized Dolce Comp. The Dolce Comp has an
>aluminum frame and the Donna is steel. I have always ridden steel
>frames (in fact, I have always ridden Bianchis) and have no idea if
>I'd like an aluminum frame. What I am trying to figure out is why the
>Dolce Comp is $500 more than the Donna (MSRP: $1790 vs $1250) and what
>I'd be getting for the extra money. Any input, especially from someone
>who has experience with both bikes, would be appreciated. Thanks in
>advance.
>
>-Joanne (from Cape Cod)
>
>(remove 'tastyspam' to reply)

Hi Joanne, I just took a look at both websites, the Dolce Comp is also
steel. the price differences are mostly due to components. It looks
like the Dolce Elite would be a closer comparison. Just from an
appearance standpoint the Dolce Comp is a much better looking bike
than the Eros Donna.
The 2005 Dolce Comp lists for $1900 -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Here is the Bianchi -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

A possible main difference for you will be the shifters, were your old
ones Campagnolo? The Bianchi has Campy, while the Specialized has
Shimano. Another option, would be to have a bike built for you. I
think it could be done for what the Dolce Comp costs.


Life is Good!
Jeff

On Tue, 04 Jan 2005 10:57:28 -0500, "Joanne (from Cape Cod)"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>Happy New Year, roadies. Long-time lurker here. I was injured in a
>bike-car crash and can't train for a while and now I have time to
>read.
>
>I am writing to ask for input in selecting my next bike. I am a 5'2"
>female. I want a bike that is comfortable for a 50 mile ride and
>nimble enough so I can keep up with my riding partners. I rode a
>Bianchi Eros Donna for one season until it was destroyed in the crash.
>I found the "women specific" geometry to be comfortable. I am
>considering another Donna but am also looking at a more expensive
>women-specific bike, the Specialized Dolce Comp. The Dolce Comp has an
>aluminum frame and the Donna is steel. I have always ridden steel
>frames (in fact, I have always ridden Bianchis) and have no idea if
>I'd like an aluminum frame. What I am trying to figure out is why the
>Dolce Comp is $500 more than the Donna (MSRP: $1790 vs $1250) and what
>I'd be getting for the extra money. Any input, especially from someone
>who has experience with both bikes, would be appreciated. Thanks in
>advance.
>
>-Joanne (from Cape Cod)
>
>(remove 'tastyspam' to reply)

Hi Joanne, I just took a look at both websites, the Dolce Comp is also
steel. the price differences are mostly due to components. It looks
like the Dolce Elite would be a closer comparison. Just from an
appearance standpoint the Dolce Comp is a much better looking bike
than the Eros Donna.
The 2005 Dolce Comp lists for $1900 -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Here is the Bianchi -
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

A possible main difference for you will be the shifters, were your old
ones Campagnolo? The Bianchi has Campy, while the Specialized has
Shimano. Another option, would be to have a bike built for you. I
think it could be done for what the Dolce Comp costs.


Life is Good!
Jeff

>>3) Are you sure the Dolce Comp you are looking at is aluminum? Specialized
>>indicates both the '04 and 05' Dolce Comp's are made of Columbus SLX tubing,
>>which I believe is steel (Can anyone confirm?).
>>
>
>According to
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>the Dolce Comp's frame is Columbus SLX aluminum.

My confusion was justified. It seems Specialized may be the only ones using
the SLX aluminum.
REF: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]


Chris Neary
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"Science, freedom, beauty, adventure: what more could
you ask of life? Bicycling combined all the elements I
loved" - Adapted from a quotation by Charles Lindbergh

>>3) Are you sure the Dolce Comp you are looking at is aluminum? Specialized
>>indicates both the '04 and 05' Dolce Comp's are made of Columbus SLX tubing,
>>which I believe is steel (Can anyone confirm?).
>>
>
>According to
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>the Dolce Comp's frame is Columbus SLX aluminum.

My confusion was justified. It seems Specialized may be the only ones using
the SLX aluminum.
REF: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]


Chris Neary
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"Science, freedom, beauty, adventure: what more could
you ask of life? Bicycling combined all the elements I
loved" - Adapted from a quotation by Charles Lindbergh

>>3) Are you sure the Dolce Comp you are looking at is aluminum? Specialized
>>indicates both the '04 and 05' Dolce Comp's are made of Columbus SLX tubing,
>>which I believe is steel (Can anyone confirm?).
>>
>
>According to
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>the Dolce Comp's frame is Columbus SLX aluminum.

My confusion was justified. It seems Specialized may be the only ones using
the SLX aluminum.
REF: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]


Chris Neary
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"Science, freedom, beauty, adventure: what more could
you ask of life? Bicycling combined all the elements I
loved" - Adapted from a quotation by Charles Lindbergh

>>3) Are you sure the Dolce Comp you are looking at is aluminum? Specialized
>>indicates both the '04 and 05' Dolce Comp's are made of Columbus SLX tubing,
>>which I believe is steel (Can anyone confirm?).
>>
>
>According to
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>the Dolce Comp's frame is Columbus SLX aluminum.

My confusion was justified. It seems Specialized may be the only ones using
the SLX aluminum.
REF: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]


Chris Neary
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"Science, freedom, beauty, adventure: what more could
you ask of life? Bicycling combined all the elements I
loved" - Adapted from a quotation by Charles Lindbergh

>Just from their spec's, and while I don't want to enter a discussion
>of which Campagnolo and Shimano groupsets are equivalent, the Dolce
>Comp has Ultegra components, Shimano's second-best groupset, while
>the Donna has Mirage components, Campagnolo's second-worst groupset.
>I'd guess that the Dolce's components are more expensive and that
>this accounts for most of the price difference.

I was thinking along the same lines, but my research indicated the retail
price of the two gruppos was very close: ~ $600.


Chris Neary
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

"Science, freedom, beauty, adventure: what more could
you ask of life? Bicycling combined all the elements I
loved" - Adapted from a quotation by Charles Lindbergh