Pinarello is synonymous with superior Italian biking. Pinarello also represents quality and victory in the world of road bike racing. Pinarello strives to stay among those at the forefront of technology and design. They were the leader in bike frame engineering with light weight metals, including Dyna Lite and Excell steel, SC61.10a and V107 aluminum, and AK61 magnesium and 46HM3K carbon fiber. Pinarello is often the envy of the road with sleek designs and sexy Italian paint jobs.
Finally, Pinarello has produced a top of the line road bike for non-competitive bikers. This Pinarello comes completely pre-built. The clean lines of Pinarello’s F4:13 full carbon fiber monocoque frame have been copied for the Pinarello F3:13 FP Ultegra. Pinarello refuses to sacrifice quality, but made adjustments in specs and created a package deal that makes ownership of a Pinarello possible for non-pro road bike enthusiasts.
Pinarello F4:13 costs $2700 for the frame alone. Pinarello has added Shimano Ultegra 10-speed STI shift/brake levers, derailleurs, brakes, and R550 wheels to the F3:13 FP Ultegra. The road bike is complete with MOST (Pinarello’s house-brand) Ewiva A.F. tires, an anatomic handlebar, four-bolt tem, and carbon seat post. It is also built with a MOST compact crank and a Leopard saddle.
Pinarello F3:13 FP Ultegra brings Italian biking into a reasonable price range, at $3000. A top of the line Prince or Dogma Pinarello costs from $5000 to $7000. In order to produce a more reasonably priced bike, Pinarello exchanged the F4:13’s high-modulus carbon with a lower grade, medium-modulus carbon fiber. The construction of the fork from carbon keeps the bike competitive. It is relatively lightweight, at 18.46 pounds
The Pinarello F3:13 represents Pinarello’s successful venture into affordable biking, maintain sleek lines, expertly engineered geometry, and outstanding handling. Cyclists who ride the Pinarello F3:13 FP Ultegra brag most about its handling. It takes corners efficiently, while typical, exceptional Pinarello resistance to torsional frame flex maintains straight-line stability. The same MOST Croxover bottom basket that is on the Pinarello F4:13 stabilizes the bottom to maximize efficiency and minimizes power loss.
Standard oversized tubing gives the bike ample power to tackle hills and sprints instantaneously.
One downside to purchasing the Pinarello F3:13 is that the entire bike is assembled and painted in Asia. You sacrifice the traditional Pinarello paint job. Yet, the design and paint so resemble the F4:13 it’s difficult to tell the difference at a glance.
Another consideration is that at 18.46 pounds the Pinarello F3:13 does not qualify for King of the Mountain (KOM) bike race awards, but if you are competitive at road biking, you need to in a SC61.10a and V107 aluminum bike. Cycling experts say that every pound adds about 6 seconds to a climb. Relative to the Pinarello F4:14 cyclists will not lose much on the Pinarello F3:13 FP Ultegra. The design quality does more to keep this cycle moving than the additional weight.
Cyclists who are accustomed to sensitive road feel have noticed a difference in the Pinarello F3:13. It is not as sensitive as more light-weight models, even made of high modulus carbon, like the Pinarello F4:13.
Most weekend road cyclists consider the Pinarello F3:13 worth the price. For handling, price, and design the F3:13 FP Ultegra is an impressive bike for casual road bike racers or enthusiasts.
PRICE: $3,000
WEIGHT: 18.46 lb.
SIZES: 42.5, 45, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59cm
FRAME: Unidirectional 24IMUD monocoque
FORK: Onda Carbon 24IMUD 11*8 integral system
Assembly: Comes ready to ride
Complete with Shimano and MOST components.
Resources:
Bicycling.com
Competitive Cyclist, 2008:Pinarello F4:13
Pinarello.com
Smartcycle.com
