Different strokes for different folks! women specific design increases our options, and that’s a very good thing IMO – it makes a nice change from a century of being 100% ignored by bike makers. Funny to me how many people look a gift horse in the mouth – for my part, I am just glad to be a woman living in the 21st century – not so long ago, women could not even ride bikes because it was scandalous for us to be seen in public in trousers. If we are at the other extreme now where our dollars are being targeted by making us feel special, I for one can live with that! Plus, WSD bikes provide a good option for me because it so happens that I really AM shorter in the torso and longer in the legs than many men of equal height. I feel WAY more comfortable on a bike with a shorter top tube.

Well, only on the Dolce and for short bursts. :)

My average speed is about 13.5mph / 21.7km/h (I think) on my hybrid and slightly less on the loop frame.

Thanks for reminding me that I need to convert km to miles on my site :) You are pretty speedy, I have to say!

@Janice Ryan: The tape on handlebars is one of my favorite things about road bikes. You can add change it whatever and however you like. For example, you could put black tape on that model, and it would look good, and be more resistant to dirt. I don’t know of anything you can use to clean it though.

@ Stella H – you would find a much more stable ride on the Specialized Ruby – but you would also pay a lot more. There’s also a pretty good discussion of women specific bikes here with links to some good ones, but they all seem to be at a much higher price point than the Specialized Dolce. With bikes you always seem to get what you pay for, I agree the Specialized Dolce is a great entry level bike for events and long rides. Most entry level cyclists don’t ride at 55 km per hour, so they won’t often have the same problems you are having! At under 50 km/hour this bike is rock steady in my experience. but if youre going to be making a habit of doing that kind of speed (plus 50 k), you’d be better off spending some extra money and getting a higher level bike.