Dolan L'Etape - any good?
nuclearred955
Posts: 81
Does anyone here have any experience of these? I'm getting worryingly close to pulling the trigger on this:
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/dolan-l-etape-carbon-road-bike-shimano-ultegra-6808.html
Which based on the spec seems ridiculously well equipped for the money. The cynic in me says there must be a catch, presumably relating to the frameset, considering the quality of the components. There's only a handful of reviews of this (and the Dolan Hercules, which appears to be an earlier incarnation of the same frameset), none of which go into much depth about ride, handling, comfort etc.
So - are they any cop? Or should I just shut up & buy it?
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/dolan-l-etape-carbon-road-bike-shimano-ultegra-6808.html
Which based on the spec seems ridiculously well equipped for the money. The cynic in me says there must be a catch, presumably relating to the frameset, considering the quality of the components. There's only a handful of reviews of this (and the Dolan Hercules, which appears to be an earlier incarnation of the same frameset), none of which go into much depth about ride, handling, comfort etc.
So - are they any cop? Or should I just shut up & buy it?
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I have one. Campag veloce and now with zonda wheels and I love it. Now I am on my winter bike but I cannot stop going into my garage and cleaning bits of it again and again and just looking at it! As soon as the roads are dry I will be out on it . Depends what you want it for. Reach/stack ratio is ,by current sportive standards ,on the low side. I am a short old git and need a few more spacers under the stem than I like.
Mine came off eBay and with new zondas stands me at £650.If I was spending new bike money I would have to do some serious homework before I spent my money. If you know your bikes,have patience,and hold onto your cash until you have seen the bike,you can get a cracking bike for your money on EBay. If you do not want the hassle go for the Dolan.0 -
Thanks for that, Lesfirth - there's not much out there about these but generally what I've read is positive. I'm a tall-ish old git and don't really like an overly-relaxed position, so the geometry sounds OK for me.
Unusually for me, I'm in a position where I can think about buying new without worrying too much about the money so I'm very tempted to just go for this.
Just wish I could get a look/ride on one before committing, unfortunately Dolan are just outside Liverpool & I'm just outside Edinburgh!0 -
I had the earlier incarnation the 'Hercules SL' and liked it. Was a comfortable frame and great for long distances (rode LEJOG on it last year). The geometry is weird though - headtube is tall and seat tube angle gives quite a laidback position. I found I couldn't quite get the seat far enough forward even with an inline post on.0
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I have one (see sig), and although I'm primarily on fixed gear these days, I do like it a lot and it gets wheeled out when conditions warrant. You don't see too many of these on the road, and it's nice to have something a bit different. Spent ages researching, spec-wise, it's very, very good. 6800 is superb. The frame responds well both when spinning to win and pushing through more power and deals with British roads competently (or insert other platitudes here
). For me the key was the geometry, I wanted something low and long given my comparatively stubby legs, and this was the only thing remotely close. Not exactly a relaxed/"comfy" riding position compared to current fashion, but I've ridden mine on multiple century+ rides--including one day with 11 hours in the saddle--without issue. The semi/nearly/former-pro types who run continental cycling excursions that I've met all approve of the frame and the marque, but tend to suggest fancier wheels than the stock kysrium elites. If there's a catch, I haven't found it over a few thousand kilometres.trek_dan wrote:I had the earlier incarnation the 'Hercules SL' and liked it. Was a comfortable frame and great for long distances (rode LEJOG on it last year). The geometry is weird though - headtube is tall and seat tube angle gives quite a laidback position. I found I couldn't quite get the seat far enough forward even with an inline post on.
I don't really think of the headtube as being that tall. I have a small (48) though--perhaps the geometry doesn't scale?--and in any event, I only have a single spacer under the stem. As above I think a comparatively long torsoed chap is best suited to the frame.
The guys at Dolan are top notch, very responsive to emailed questions, so do get in touch with them. I have seen it for less than the advertised £1499 though--are you going to really get much use out of it this winter that you can't afford to wait? (Even so, I think that's a really good deal, one of the best this side of the Germans).0 -
Headtube was 20mm higher on the Dolan than the bike I replaced it with, but it is a 'sportive' geometry frame so be to be expected I suppose.
I think as others have said its a lot of money to spend without test riding one first and I'd be cautious about the geometry as it didn't suit me well at all.0 -
Definitely some food for thought. Comparing the geometry with what I've had for the last 3+ years (Decathlon Triban, upgraded with mix of 105/Tiagra) it's not that different in real terms - stack & reach for an equivalent frame size is lower/longer by a few mm, but nothing I can't either tweak or live with. I have a long torso & short-ish legs for my height so it might turn out to suit me anyway.
I would concur this is a bloody stupid time of year to be seriously considering a shiny new road bike, but come the spring (which would make more sense) I would be surprised if I still had the money to spend! If I do go for it, chances are it'll just sit in the garage for 3 months... :roll:0 -
I bought a Dolan Mythos a couple of years ago which is again, a similar bike. When I bought it it was discounted and despite not being able to find much about it online, I went for it. Its a wonderful bike to ride, light, nimble,comfortable. It was delivered quickly, well set up and has been faultless ever since. Its now my second/winter bike, and when I was choosing a new 'best' bike another Dolan was my immediate consideration, the only reason I didnt was because a particularly good deal on another brand came along.
I understand the frames are the same used by Planet X and Ribble, but I cant confirm that.2020/2021/2022 Metric Century Challenge Winner0 -
I understand the frames are the same used by Planet X and Ribble, but I cant confirm that.
Now that's interesting, if it turns out to be the case. There's a Planet X shop local to me so if they have a "version" of the Etape, I can probably get a test ride. Will see if I can find out if they're the same.0 -
Update - it doesn't appear that PX or Ribble do have their own version of the Etape. Ribble's Gran Fondo is cosmetically a bit similar but the geometry's quite different.
Looking at the Dolan Mythos, this does look a lot like Ribble & PX's Pro Carbon models, wouldn't be surprised if these frames all came from the same supplier.
Thinking I'll probably keep my wallet in my pocket for the time being, maybe consider buying the bike in the new year. Unless Dolan do anything daft like knocking a few hundred quid off it...
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Thinking I'll probably keep my wallet in my pocket for the time being, maybe consider buying the bike in the new year. Unless Dolan do anything daft like knocking a few hundred quid off it...
Which they may well do. 1499 for the 6800 spec is the rack rate. Also check their clearance sales, currently offering a couple at 799 (!) with Veloce in some sizes; for that you could swap the groupset (were you so inclined) and still have plenty of change.0 -
Well then.
Happy American Orgy Of Consumerism Day, everybody.
And thanks to Dolan Bikes' participation in that orgy (10% discount off everything), I'm now a lot poorer. I've only been and gone and bought the bloody thing.
What have I done??? 0 -
Well then.
Happy American Orgy Of Consumerism Day, everybody.
And thanks to Dolan Bikes' participation in that orgy (10% discount off everything), I'm now a lot poorer. I've only been and gone and bought the bloody thing.
What have I done???
Welcome to the club! 8)0 -
Thanks!
Looking forward to getting it, but I'll be lucky to get out on it much any time soon.
I think I've done the right thing...0 -
Nice one. Im sure you wont regret it.
I bought mine just about Xmas time and left it until March before riding it ... it seemed a shame to get it too dirty too soon
It was worth waiting for. 8) 2020/2021/2022 Metric Century Challenge Winner0 -
I'll be doing the same, I imagine!
Anyway, unfortunately I'm away for a few days, so I have to wait another week before I get it. Wonder if I can put it in the corner of the living room & drape some fairy lights on it, in lieu of a Christmas tree? 0
