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
| 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 |
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 |