Pinarello has simply overhauled its highway vary. Long gone are the Prince (speedy highway) and Paris (staying power) fashions, changed by way of the brand new F and X collection. The F is there to cater to what Pinarello is dubbing its ‘Beat’ audience (as in beating different riders; aggressive using), whilst the X is there for ‘Play’ (as in… uh… play; taking part in). Head to our new-Pinarello information piece to peer the entire interior machinations of each the brand new levels.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to flee the appalling January climate in the United Kingdom and head to Spain to peer the whole vary within the flesh, and spend a while aboard an F7, kitted out with the Shimano Ultegra Di2 construct.
I can, in time, have a complete overview to regale you all with, however after 80 lumpy, demi-mountainous kilometres, plus any other 20 cruising alongside the seafront marinas (when in Rome…), I’m in a position to percentage my first impressions of a motorbike aimed squarely at the most efficient highway motorcycles section.
Specs: Pinarello F7
Value: £7,000 / $8,800 / €8,850
Body: Pinarello F
Measurement: 56cm
Weight: Unspecified
Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2
Wheels: Maximum Ultrafast 40
Brakes: Shimano Ultegra
Bar/stem: Talon Extremely Gentle
Seatpost: Pinarello F
Saddle: Maximum Aircross
Design and aesthetics
I’ve by no means come throughout an organization so overtly dedicated to the pursuit of aesthetic perfection. Positive, different corporations make some extent that they suspect its motorcycles are attention-grabbing and interesting, however that is the primary time I’ve had a emblem lead with the aesthetics. It’s, consistent with the corporate’s Leader Advertising and marketing Officer, of equivalent significance to efficiency. That’s slightly the declare for an organization with this type of stacked trophy cupboard. Then again, this can be a new motorcycle, and must be judged by itself deserves, now not on that of its forebears.
Nonetheless regardless that, it’s a handsome motorcycle, proper?
I am getting that attractiveness is within the eye of the beholder, however even discounting the paint there is something concerning the F frameset. In a global the place many motorcycles are starting to glance the similar, it’s fascinating to be introduced with a particular silhouette. I can admit that it bears a putting resemblance to the Dogma F, however I additionally assume it cuts a extra subtle determine too. The indent midway down the downtube is long gone, changed by way of a better ramp to a flat segment. The fork and remains are kind of visually similar, however the seatpost blends a lot more into the body due to the seatpost being flush with the seat tube on the rear.
Whilst black on black has at all times been the largest supplier for the logo (one thing I lament, by way of the way in which), I used to be fortunate sufficient to get the purple and black possibility. The paint is modest however accentuates the options of the body: the fork curves glance extra curvy and practical due to the location of the black lowers, and the seat put up seems a lot more similar to an built-in seat mast due to the ongoing black rear on each the seat put up and seat tube.
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From an engineering standpoint, it looks as if a Dogma basically as a result of they’ve successfully the similar geometry. The F has the similar head perspective, the similar seat perspective, the similar backside bracket drop, and the similar stack. It has 2mm longer chainstays, and a 2mm longer succeed in, that means the one tangible distinction is a 4mm longer wheelbase.
There are a few design notes which are price applauding too, past the appearance and geometry. First up is that the frameset has persisted to enhance mechanical drivetrains. Given the top class nature of the logo, I believe it has 12sp Campagnolo Tremendous Report Mechanical in thoughts reasonably than Shimano Sora, however regardless, extra compatibility is at all times higher than much less in my eyes. The second one is using a threaded backside bracket. They aren’t at all times totally creak-free, they usually aren’t best in different ways too, however I believe it’s the most suitable choice and it opens up numerous rather simple upkeep duties to the house mechanic.
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Efficiency
Every time you swing a leg over a motorbike this is used on the best tier of racing (I do know this isn’t a Dogma, however the DNA is shut sufficient for this to paintings) you are expecting one thing hyper-nimble; twitchy, responsive, and even perhaps slightly risky. I’m more than happy to file that this is not the case in any respect with the F. It’s possibly essentially the most well-rounded, mellow efficiency motorcycle I’ve had the excitement of using when it comes to its dealing with traits.
The brand new Colnago V4Rs handiest got here alive whilst you have been completely at the restrict, and whilst now not as twitchy because the older variations, the Canyon Final is indubitably a extra twitchy motorcycle even whilst you’re now not giving it each barrels.
While you’re simply ticking over, the F7 is mild, relaxed even. It doesn’t in reality really feel like a race motorcycle whilst you don’t ask it to be. Take into accout I am basing this handiest on a temporary 100km or so, however for lengthy days out, I’d take this over the Canyon. While you ask it regardless that, it’s nonetheless each and every bit a race motorcycle. The geometry makes it a phenomenal descender; it’s solid sufficient to provide the self assurance to seek out the velocity limits, however nonetheless sharp sufficient to dart round tight turns as regardless that you are chasing Tom Pidcock on a descent.
Uphill, it doesn’t have slightly the similar snap because the Final I’ve additionally been checking out in recent times. It’s indubitably an all-rounder, reasonably than a hiking motorcycle given an aero overhaul. This handiest in reality manifests itself as an identifiable distinction regardless that when the gradients pitch as much as the purpose the place seated hiking turns into kind of unimaginable, and it’s in no way a slouch, nevertheless it’s just a bit much less taut. I believe this has one thing to do with each the wheels and the body being rather less stiff; the Canyon BB is press are compatible, permitting a much broader, stiffer platform, however I’d nonetheless take the threaded gadget.
The groupset is kind of faultless, and to be truthful, it’s so nice that should you’re getting the Dura Ace provided F9, you’d most probably warrant bearing in mind a Dogma. Ultegra’s greater than nice sufficient as a race groupset.
The primary grievance I’ve of the F7 considerations the wheels and tyres. The Maximum Ultrafast 40 is not a foul wheelset, however a 19mm inner width is slightly old skool by way of trendy requirements and does now not enhance sidewalls as wider set wheels do. I don’t believe they would take a seat among the most efficient highway motorcycle wheels. They’re completely superb, however I’d reasonably see a extra top class set bearing in mind the cost tag. The Pirelli P7 Recreation tyres, extra so than the wheels, go away so much to be desired. Even on clean, dry tarmac, they don’t in reality encourage self assurance, and with a touch of moisture at the roads they in reality aren’t nice. I take into account that manufacturers construct to a cost level, and that they’re a very easy switch, however should you’re paying this a lot for a motorbike then I believe it’s affordable to be expecting higher tyres on the very least. Switch them out for one thing from our checklist of the most efficient highway motorcycle tyres.
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Price
A trifling 100km is just too early to name on price in reality, however this motorcycle on this setup retails at £7,000 / $8,800 / €8,850. That is notable in that it is £800 greater than the Canyon Final CF SLX 8 Di2, which options higher wheels and tyres, and springs with an influence meter.
There’s no doubt a modicum of ‘Italian Top class’ to be paid, however only a few additional checking out will have the ability to eke out if it stands up as a nice motorcycle or a nice acquire too.
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Early Verdict
When checking out what other people would generally check with as ‘superbikes’, the buzzwords have a tendency to be ‘competitive’, ‘attacking’, ‘agile’, and so on. No longer such a lot right here; in my checking out to this point, the phrase that truthfully springs to thoughts maximum is ‘pretty’.
It is a pretty motorcycle. Pretty to behold, and wonderful to experience. It is the heart bowl of porridge that Goldilocks was once so desperate to wolf down. The dealing with and experience high quality is spot on for large days out, and all-out racing too. I am not offered at the wheels and tyres regardless that, particularly bearing in mind the cost, however it is a top class Italian emblem and so it is unfortunately at all times going to command a top class.
Given the similarity in geometry to the Dogma, it is in reality arduous to fathom a scenario the place you would want that marginal improve from a efficiency perspective, except you are in actuality competing on the best degree.
Supply By means of https://www.cyclingnews.com/opinions/pinarello-f7-2023/
