Dolan Bikes

DxDuff

Hi all,
Has anyone bought a Dolan bike directly from the Dolan-bikes website and if so how was the experience?
Planning on purchasing a Dolan Hercules in the very near future.
Regards....

Donie75

I haven't bought a Dolan but I'm interested in them myself. The Hercules SE looks lovely and the price is very good. Have you found any reviews of these bikes? I couldn't find much but I did see a fair few posts on Bikeradar and they seem to like them a lot. The Top Tube length looks very long in comparison to some bikes so you may need to contact Dolan with your measurements to get advice on sizing. I read somewhere that they are very slow to respond to emails.

DxDuff

HI,
Three of my friends are after buying Dolan Ares (An Post Colours) with various gear group sets, Shimano 105, SRAM Rival and Campagnola, all have Mavic Wheels ( 2 with Cosmic and 1 with Kyrsium). They are experienced cyclists and are extremely impressed.
One other work colleague is after getting a Hercules with Ultegra and also finds it to be a fantastic bike.
I have had a quick response from Dolan via the website last week but had no reply today on a different query.
Agree that there isn't many reviews out there but the general word is that the Dolans are excellent bikes...:)

feck sake lads

well rumor has it he's one of the best builder's in the world

gmoorewest

I got a Hercules 2 years ago. Got it through a LBS but had some contact with Dolan or the people that do the paintwork for them. There were delays of about 4 weeks, but in fairness it was due to my request. (I wanted some of the bike left with the carbon visible, but in the end they couldn't do this.) Have got some gear of Dolan since and they were great to deal with.
Hercules is a lovely bike, couldn't fault it, but have to admit the Ares looks lovely.

Paul Kiernan

A friend of mine bought a Preffisio frameset last week and it arrived very quickly with no hiccups.

The Hercules is a lovely bike but don't overlook this Tuono SE frameset on special offer. It has full carbon steerer and also comes with the nicer looking Dolan seatpost.

Wheely GR8

It's probably handy enough to travel over there and get sized in the shop properly.

Beasty

Wheely GR8 wrote: »

It's probably handy enough to travel over there and get sized in the shop properly.

Sort of defeats the object of buying online (also not much point as they don't have a shop;))

If there's a sizing question (not that the OP suggested there isin his case) you're better off finding a local retailer who stocks them to try the fit

ROK ON

I have a Dolan Hercules. Got it 4 years ago. Love it and I have done huge milage on it. Would not fault it.

There is a fair bit of flex in the frame (I notice this when on the turbo) but on some of the roads that I cycle on that maybe no bad thing.
if you could get the frame at a good price then no hesitation in recommending it.

Wheely GR8

Beasty wrote: »

Sort of defeats the object of buying online (also not much point as they don't have a shop;))

If there's a sizing question (not that the OP suggested there isin his case) you're better off finding a local retailer who stocks them to try the fit

Sorry ,that was me commenting as opposed to the op's query. I found all the options on dolans site confusing and I thought they offered a shop service on their site ,it must have been just there location.

SWL

Beasty wrote: »

Sort of defeats the object of buying online (also not much point as they don't have a shop;))

If there's a sizing question (not that the OP suggested there isin his case) you're better off finding a local retailer who stocks them to try the fit

I thought trying a bike for size in your LBS and then purchasing on-line was in contravention of Euro rules.

coolbeans

I had a Dolan Hercules SE, nice bike technically but I didn't like the B/W colour scheme. It's a seriously comfortable all rounder frame and the only real fault was a bit of flex in the rear triangle when you're sprinting out of the saddle. They're well regarded and I'd have no hesitation recommending one to a chum. It was easily the most sure footed, best handling, most confidence inspiring bike at speed I've ever ridden. That said, I haven't ridden many bikes.

emmac_ie

I bought a Dolan Hercules last year (April 2010) and it is a super bike. At the time I just phoned Dolan direct and told them exactly what I wanted. They really don't do the email thing! Found a dealer here who built it for me. Waited about 4 weeks for delivery. They are amazing value for money. I have SRAM Red on mine. If you can stretch to it, I would recommend it. The bike has never given me any trouble; I have done thousands of kilometers on it and have yet to even get a puncture!

The geometry is a little weird on them so if you can, try and get to try one before buying. I knew I needed the smallest size, but if you're between sizes, could be tricky to choose the right one for you.

The Ares is a lovely looking bike too. I would probably choose that over the Hercules if I were buying now...just coz it's newer

velogirl

Phoned Dolan's on Monday - they sent the frame (Hercules) Tuesday - it arrived by courier this afternoon. Fantastic service - can't fault them - really good. Havn't been able to have a good look at the frame as yet - as I am hiding it from my son (Christmas Present).

This is the second frame I have bought direct from Dolan - the other was a prefissio winter bike for myself (6 weeks ago) - which I am really really pleased with. A great bike for the money - does exactly what it says on the tin and a whole load more. A really lively alloy bike with carbon forks and seatpost with mudguard eyelets - really responsive - very little flex in the frame - position on the bike is 100% - and it descends rapid fast.

So we can't wait 'til tomorrow to have a good look in the frame box. Will wait til nearer christmas to build up the bike (it's easier to hide the box than a full bike). Have most of the parts so it just a case of putting it all together.

Would have no hesitation in recommending them

Toblerone1978

velogirl wrote: »

Havn't been able to have a good look at the frame as yet - as I am hiding it from my son (Christmas Present).

Lets hope he's not a boardsie!

velogirl

Toblerone1978 wrote: »

Lets hope he's not a boardsie!

Don't think so ......At least I hope not .....but he has a fair idea what he is getting ......just don't want him to see it until Christmas morning.

DxDuff

Thanks to all for the good advice, seems Dolan is definitely the way to go.
Only within the last week Dolan are offering Shimano build ( Sora to DI2 ) on all the bikes.
They have also added SL models on the Hercules and Ares, the new paint scheme on the Ares SL looks fab.
My final choice (I think!) is a Hercules frame, Shimano Tiagra groupset, Mavic Askium wheels...to keep within budget. Sadly I need to sell my Trek 7.3fx.
And now to make a call to Terry & co....

mick121

well well roger,looks like santy is paying you a visit.by the way does the wife know the final bill

DxDuff

Santa is bringing it, so no cost involved !!!!!

mick121

jammy git.well roll on feb/march and we will start clocking up the miles