Pinarello FP3
The Pinarello name is one of the most vaunted in contemporary cycling history. Founded by Giovanni Pinarello back in the early ’50s, by the end of the decade the Treviso-based builder was already sponsoring riders by the end of the decade. In the last two decades, the brand has become synonymous with career wins by Mario Cipollini and Alessandro Petacchi, not to mention numerous Tour de France victories with riders like Pedro Delgado, Miguel Indurain, Bjarne Riis and Jan Ulrich.
The FP3 is available with either full 2009 Dura-Ace specs or as the model we tested, which uses 2008 Shimano parts. The reason for two versions? Back when no one was sure about the availability of the new Shimano parts, Pinarello (like other bike makers) decided to spec this year’s bike with previous year parts to keep the channel stocked.
THE FRAME
If the Pinarello brand is known for anything, it’s the strong sense of style and design that has always permeated their lineup. From the graphics to the shapely tubes, there is no shortage of visual flair with the FP3. Key Pinarello signatures would be the curved Onda seat stays and fork. Pinarello remains committed to a non-sloping top tube and a traditional telescopic seatpost.
Though visually familiar to the much higher-end ($5500) Prince frame (currently used by Alejandro Valverde and the Caisse d’Espargne team), the FP3 is but a visual ‘silhouette’ of that bike. Both use monocoque construction, but the FP3 is made from a slightly different mold and with a lower-grade carbon (30HM versus 50HM). Still, you’ll find a tapered head tube, internally routed rear brake cable, (slightly) asymmetrical chainstays and an integrated bottom bracket shell.
Pinarello deserves props for going the distance in frame availability. In a day and age when most manufacturers offer a single color choice and minimum size runs, the FP3 is available in ten different sizes and five different color options (the 2009 model is only available in two color choices). Pinarello also offers a women’s-specific version in four sizes. Though far from being as over-plastered with logos as some other high-end carbon bikes, the FP3 still unfortunately finds some reason to over-share its frame info in the graphics package.
THE PARTS
Part of the cost savings found with the FP3 is had not only by using last year’s Dura Ace shifters and derailleurs, but also opting for Shimano’s lower-line Ultegra SL brakes. Fine, they work great. The hard parts makeup of the FP3 can be summed up in two words: house brand. The Most parts are of Pinarello’s own design and all seem capable of the job they were intended to do. Standouts would be the comfortable handlebar and stiff carbon crank. Never mind the small swath of carbon on the stem-it’s just a visual wrap laid over an alloy stem.
Like many other Asian-assembled bikes we get these days, the FP3 had enough excess cable housing that, if cut to proper length, you’d have enough left over for a third brake cable. Between the water bottle and seat clamp bolts, three out of the four stripped out straight away, so keep an eye on the quality of hardware. The 24(r)/20(f) spoked Chall wheels are probably the least exciting of the Most parts kit, although the skewers’ cam action is excellent. We always like to talk about Continental tires-grippy as freshly chewed bubblegum, but as far as the ‘Pinarello Special Edition’ branded tires used, they are in fact no different from standard Conti’s except for the misleading hot patch.
THE RIDE
For a 55cm bike, we found the cockpit to be a tad on the long side. Most of our five-foot 10-inch-ish test riders normally have no problem fitting a bike this size. However, with its 55.7-centimeter-long top tube, 120mm stem and Most seatpost with setback, we found ourselves to be a tad over-stretched in the drops. One fix was to swap out the seatpost for one with a zero-degree setback. Pinarello’s racing origins are definitely evident in the FP3. The bike flat out hauls, especially in the corners where stability and confidence are found on the same high rung. The 73 head/73.2 seat angles no doubt help play a role here. Pinarello claims that the ONDA FPK fork (with carbon steerer) and seat stays play as important a role in styling as they do providing increased comfort. We couldn’t pinpoint that role and, in fact, there was even some argument about how comfortable the bike was over the rough stuff.
THE VERDICT
Despite its origins as a bike intended solely to fill a void in Shimano’s supply wagon, the FP3 with 2008 parts is a bike more than worthy of standing on its own as a new model. If it was our money, we’d rush down to the local Pinarello dealer and run right past that $5500 2009 model with full Dura Ace and pick up this cheaper/dated version (although wary about sizing). The new Dura Ace is sweet (we especially like the new under-the-tape cable routing), but the cost/benefit ratio doesn’t play out here-2008 Dura Ace is still a great drivetrain. At just over 17 pounds, the FP3 is less than the ideal pro-level race bike, but it’s a solid all-around bike for the all-around rider, which is the majority of us. We say buy the 2008 version and go out and stimulate the economy with the $1700 savings or make a mortgage/college degree payment. If you insist on using the money to win friends at the local bike shop, use the money for a set of lighter wheels, and then you’ll really have a decent race bike.
PRICE: $3800
WEIGHT: 17.10 pounds
INFO: www.gitabike.com
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