Its no secret that I’ve been a sucker for a Pinarello since my teenage years. Turning up to the National Junior Road Championships in a Citroen Picasso with dad, surrounded by motorhomes and crazy bikes! None more so crazy that my dream bike, which has still yet to be found… a 2009 Prince of Spain. Those that know…. KNOW! Alejandro Valverde’s 2008 win in the Spanish National Champs bought about a champion of Spain bike in fetching Yellow and red, also ridden by Russell Downing in the British Ranks. I still keep and eye out for one and would be on it like a pigeon on a chip given the opportunity!
I mean, see the blow picture, the frame is marmite, even Campag got involved and made special edition red and yellow callipers to complete the look!
But….
Time goes by and things move on. Ive a shiny Dogma 65.1 taking pride of place above the stairs in the showroom and now there is a newer, sleeker, faster brother in town. This one has a particular characteristic which marks it out from the rest. Not only was I lucky enough to give it its inaugural ride out in its actual homeland, but its been scribbled on by none other than Mr Fausto Pinarello himself, that alone is enough for me to hang it up and not see tarmac ever again! She’s done 104km, where I couldn’t pull the skin off custard, but they were some of the most rewarding miles Ive ever done.
Originally I was more excited to be in Italy rather than riding the new Dogma F, but, within a few miles that soon changed. A quick trip into Treviso for a “Gelato Ride” with the rest of the UK dealers gave glimpses of what this bike could be!
Being around the other Pinarello dealers from the UK and the world, its always nice to get other perspectives. I suppose over the years, and playing with enough exotica, you get a bit blasé about how good some of this stuff really is. From its first pedal stroke the immediacy of Pinarello was remembered. The efficiency in every pedal stroke, no wasted puff and drive as far forward as possible on as little effort as possible. But that doesn’t mean uncomfortable. The broader tyres will help, but something I have spoken about in the past is how comfy these things really are, this is no different. Sure, the smooth Italian roads help, and the 39 degree heat, but its gets rid of road vibrations superbly. But this is why Pinarello dont need to make multiple models for the pros. Its aero enough, light enough and fast enough to be used in the climbs and flatlands of the Tour de France, comfy enough to tame the cobbles of the Tour of Flanders and Roubaix and then nippy and handles superbly enough to climb the Lombardy Lumps!
Then, the first descent. Now, those that know me, know I’m a coward! A combination of not having any bottle and a few trips to the tarmac have made me this way. But the confidence this frame dishes out is a thing to behold. Dont get me wrong, I’m not all of a sudden Pidcock and Tadej flying down the Alps, but you feel like you cant fall off, it feels like its on rails. You point it somewhere and it goes there. There have been many bikes in the past that have felt like I’m a rodeo rider hanging on for 8 seconds, this thing just glides, leans with you and laughs at my capabilities wanting more out of its rider!
Without bleating on for too long, as expected, the bike is a stunner to ride. From a mechanics perspective, running hoses through the frame is easy enough, the bars on the other hand will need a swear jar, but it makes for a superb bit of kit and another bike I am delighted to have in the metaphoric garage! Pop in to see it!
Huge thanks to Pinarello UK and Pinarello Italy for the hospitality and the opportunity to ride it, in its homeland! A cracking experience meeting some great people and spending time with people we normally only get to see for a couple hours a few months apart! GRAZIE!!!
