Dolan Bikes in the UK? Alternatives for a stock carbon 650 road bike?

Anybody know anything about Dolan Bikes in the UK? I’ve been trying to get some answers from them about a road bike they sell. Two emails and messaging on FB, nothing.

I’ve been searching for a small road bike built around 650c wheels. Dolan Bikes was referenced in an ST thread about this. I checked their website and indeed, they have the “Micros,” a carbon frame built around 650c wheels.

The geometry info on the site is incomplete. Basic info such as chainstay length is unavailable. First email I sent got an auto response that they were at a show. OK, I understand. Waited. Nothing. Emailed again. No response. Sent a FB message, got a quick response with responder wanting to know what address I emailed and what I wanted to know. Provided that information. Crickets. Messaged again asking if someone was going to get back to me. Crickets.

Anyone know anything about the Dolan “Micros” bike? Or an alternative stock carbon 650 bike? Thanks.

IIRC Canyon started doing some 650 bikes in the smaller sizes in their female range? I have no idea how ‘pink’ they are but might be worth a look?

I have a Dolan Prefissio Bike in a 50cm that I built up for my Missus as her winter bike but it has 700’s on it so not a lot of help for you sorry. I do remember I had zero contact with them though, just ordered the frame online and it turned up a few days later

Give this a try:

https://culpritbicycles.com/products/2016-junior-two

They are active on ST as well. When you click on the link, you will see the username at Culprit Bicycles to PM.

Thanks. I looked at the Canyon website. In spite of all the press hoopla earlier this year about the new women’s bike line, it looks as though they are now only producing road bikes with 700c wheels. And the 2017 line was built on 650b, not 650c. Sigh, my search continues…

try Calfee. He makes great small bikes with 650. I have the Luna and will be getting another.

SSP, did you get a Culprit bike? I’m wondering how the alloy frame rides.

Frenchfried, do you have the 650c Luna? What type of bottom bracket is it?

Is there a phone number on their website? I can ring them for you.

+44 1695 581166 Thanks!

Most important questions are

  1. is the bike UCI legal?
  2. what is the wheelbase length?
  3. what is the chainstay length?
  4. what is the uncut fork length?
  5. what is the effective top tube length?
  1. is the bike UCI legal?

No Dolan frames are UCI Approved (which would have guaranteed their legality). If they were, they’d be listed on the UCI’s LIST OF APPROVED MODELS OF FRAMES AND FORKS. (Sorry, capital letters thanks to the UCI.)

Since it’s not on the list, then to be UCI legal (different from UCI Approved), it must both:
(a) comply with the UCI regulations, and
(b) have been for sale before the Approval process was defined.

Scroll down here for the gory details:
http://www.uci.ch/inside-uci/rules-and-regulations/equipment-165067/

Thanks for that link, Damon. Went though it and none of the bikes I’m considering are on it.

That is some set of rules to wade through.

Terry Dolan started off as a traditional frame builder. I think Chris Boardman workec for him for a while (he certainly rode his bikes). I am guessing a lot of the Dolan bikes are now made in China along similar lines to Planet X etc. A lot of top riders in the UK have ridden Dolan track bikes including Wiggins and Cavendish. http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/uk-stars-patriotic-track-machines/

I know a few people rode their TT bikes locally without issue.

Will ring tomorrow and post on here.

SSP, did you get a Culprit bike? I’m wondering how the alloy frame rides.

No, although before carbon fiber was a “thing”, I owned my share of aluminum-framed bikes. At 17 lbs for a road bike at that price and with semi-custom paint, I probably will in the near future.

I am committed to buying a road bike where I can swap out the 650 wheels from my tri-bike if need be…

If you do contact them find the front-center and fork rake (and/or trail)
.

An update: Dolan Bikes sent an FB message today that they are working on a response.

I rang them this morning someone is ringing me back

So far I have it is uci legal!

Thanks. It’s unclear to me, given the info from Damon, how they can say it is UCI legal. Dolan has three bikes on the UCI approved list, but not the Micros (650).

Shimano
.

On the phone this morning they said it was a new bike.

When I spoke to them this afternoon they said they were in the process of sending you an email. Hope that helps.

Let me know if not can ring them again tomorrow.