“Cycling Across America” Bike Specs

Specialized Bicycles

Many folks have asked us what bicycles we rode on our tour. We had bought Specialized Dolce bikes – a women-specific design – in summer of 2004, and we used them on our trip. They were truly awesome bikes – very light and very responsive with great gearing. Keep in mind that we didn’t have panniers on them – we were on a supported ride, so we only had a handlebar bag and our Camelbaks. That being said, we had absolutely no mechanical difficulties with them whatsoever (well, except for when we crashed once, but that was us and not the bikes…).

Our bikes came with the padded handlebar tape that some cross-country cyclists were trying to hunt down in the middle of their trip! We quite literally just started out with the same bikes we had been riding, with no changes at all, and we loved our bikes every bit of the way. So, for those techies among you, here are the specs. You can check them out online at http://www.specialized.com

Dolce Elite – Chelsea’s Bike

  • Specialized Designs For Women proportionally designed smooth-welded A1 Premium Aluminum alloy frame with replaceable derailleur hanger
  • Specialized Carbon-3 carbon fork
  • Shimano Ultegra short-reach STI brake/shift levers
  • Specialized women’s 3D forged adjustable "flip flop" forged alloy stem with proportionally designed women’s handlebars and Bar Phat thin gel handlebar pads, Body Geometry Dolce women’s saddle with Cr-Mo rails, Pavé advanced composite seatpost
  • Alex ALX-290 superlight high-performance wheelset with lightweight Specialized aramid-bead 700 x 23c All Condition Pro tires

Dolce Comp – Rosemary’s Bike

  • Specialized Designs For Women proportionally designed smooth-welded Columbus SLX alloy frame with replaceable derailleur hanger.
  • Specialized Carbon-3 carbon fork
  • Shimano Ultegra 27-speed complete group with Ultegra short reach STI levers
  • Specialized women’s 3D forged adjustable "flip flop" forged alloy stem with proportionally designed women’s handlebars and Bar Phat thin gel handlebar pads, Body Geometry Dolce women’s saddle with Cr-Mo rails, Pavé advanced composite seatpost
  • Mavic Ksyrium Equipe high-performance wheelset with lightweight Specialized aramid-bead 700x23c All Condition Pro tires

Chelsea’s Bike – Dolce Elite

Part   Details/ Info
Frame   Specialized Designs for Women, compact geometry, A1 Premium Aluminum, fully double butted, heat-treated, replaceable derailleur hanger
Fork   Specialized Carbon-3, high modulus carbon fiber legs, crown, carbon steerer
Headset   Intellaset, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, alloy cap, alloy cone spacers and washer
Stem   Specialized Team, 3D forged alloy, 26.0 bar clamp, 4- position adjustable
Handlebars   Specialized Women’s Pro, 26.0mm diameter
Tape/ Grips   Body Geometry, thin Bar Phat, black cork ribbon
Front Brake   Dual pivot, forged alloy, w/ cartridge multi-condition pads
Rear Brake   Dual pivot, forged alloy, w/ cartridge multi-condition pads
Brake Levers   Shimano Ultegra, STI, short reach
Front Derailleur   Shimano Tiagra, 31.8mm clamp
Front Hub   Alex ALX-290, 20 hole, sealed bearing, black
Rear Derailleur   Shimano Ultegra, long cage
Shift Levers   Shimano Ultegra, STI, short reach, flight deck compatible
Cassette   Shimano Tiagra, 9-speed, 12x25t
Chain   Shimano HG 73
Crankset   Specialized Comp, five arm, polished arms
Chainrings   52Ax42Ax30A
Bottom Bracket   Shimano BB-UN-25, square taper, 68mm shell, 118mm spindle (triple)
Pedals   Composite body, alloy cage, Cr-Mo axle
Rims   Alex ALX-290, 700c, alloy double wall, machined sidewalls
Rear Hub   Alex ALX-290, 24 hole, sealed bearing freehub, black
Spokes   Alex, 2.0mm (14g), stainless, brass nipples
Front Tire   Specialized All Condition Pro SL, 700 x 23c, 120TPI, aramid bead
Rear Tire   Specialized All Condition Pro SL, 700 x 23c, 120TPI, aramid bead
Tubes   Specialized Turbo Ultra Light, presta valve
Saddle   Specialized Body Geometry, women’s, leather, Cr-Mo rails
Seat Post   Specialized Pavé, advanced composite, 27.2x350mm
Seat Binder   Forged alloy, w/ Cr-Mo binder bolt
Notes  

Toe clips and straps, chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual

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Dolce Comp – Rosemary’s Bike

Part   Details/ Info
Frame   Specialized Designs for Women, compact geometry, Columbus SLX, fully double butted, heat-treated, replaceable derailleur hanger
Fork   Specialized Carbon-3, high modulus carbon fiber legs, carbon crown, alloy steerer
Headset   Specialized Mindset, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, with triple sealed cartridge bearings, carbon cone and headset spacers
Stem   Specialized Team, 3D forged alloy, 26.0 bar clamp, 4- position adjustable
Handlebars   Specialized Women’s Pro, 26.0mm diameter
Tape/ Grips   Body Geometry, thin Bar Phat, black cork ribbon
Front Brake   Shimano Ultegra
Rear Brake   Shimano Ultegra
Brake Levers   Shimano Ultegra, STI, short reach
Front Derailleur   Shimano Ultegra, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
Front Hub   Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, 20 hole, Mavic QR
Rear Derailleur   Shimano Ultegra, long cage
Shift Levers   Shimano Ultegra, STI, short reach, flight deck compatible
Cassette   Shimano Ultegra, 9-speed, 12x25t
Chain   Shimano HG 73
Crankset   Shimano Ultegra, Hollowtech arms
Chainrings   52Ax42Ax30A
Bottom Bracket   Shimano Ultegra, Octalink spline, 68mm shell, 118.5mm spindle (triple)
Pedals   Composite body, Cr-Mo axle
Rims   Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, 700c
Rear Hub   Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, 24 hole, sealed freehub, Mavic QR
Spokes   Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, stainless steel
Front Tire   Specialized All Condition Pro SL, 700 x 23c, 120TPI, aramid bead
Rear Tire   Specialized All Condition Pro SL, 700 x 23c, 120TPI, aramid bead
Tubes   Specialized Turbo Ultra Light, presta valve
Saddle   Specialized Body Geometry, women’s, leather, Cr-Mo rails
Seat Post   Specialized Pavé, advanced composite, 27.2x350mm
Seat Binder   Forged alloy, w/ Cr-Mo binder bolt
Notes   Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual

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