Hi all,
A girl at work/school wants to get into tris and asked me for some advice. Specifically she is looking at a Specialized Dolce Vita as an entry bike. She can get the bike from the LBS for around 900$, it comes complete with pedals, clip on aero bars etc.
She asked me what I thought of the offer and I told her I’d inquire a bit?
I thought asking the ST bike gurus would be just the thing to do 
Thanks for the input!
Hi Viv-
not a guru, but I know some senoritas in my area that are very pleased with their Specialized Dolce’s and Ruby’s.
The spec is very good on the Dolce. For 900.00 you get a mix of Ultegra & 105, not bad at all.
Specialized has really put together a superb line up as of late so I’d go for it.
I recently went throught the same question helping my GF choose a road bike. We looked at the Dolce, but ended up getting a Felt F75. I’s about the same price range, but overall you get more for the money - 10 speed ultegra/105, carbon seatstays & seatpost - and basic clipless pedals included.
Tom had a review of this bike recently on his website:
My wife bought the '05 Dolce Elite, but that model doesn’t come with aerobars or pedals, so that sounds like a great deal to me! We paid $1,100 for her bike last year. It’s a step up from the Dolce Vita if I remember correctly.
I have a Dolce Vita (2003) and used it for my first 3 years. I did 3 1/2 irons and one iron on it. Love the women’s specific geometry. Just bought a Ruby Pro and broke it after 6 weeks 
I’m having a Ti Seven Aerios made to a very similar geometry.
oh, was that mr. aluminium? he sounded like a nice guy
Yes!!! 