There has been much talk, debate and argument about the merits of disc-equipped road bikes in the professional peloton for the past couple of years, but it does look like we’re getting much closer to seeing discs being used by the pros on a regular basis.
Today Team Sky’s Ben Swift shared a photograph of his first training ride of the winter. His bike? The new Pinarello Dogma F8 Disc.
– Pinarello unveils Dogma F8 Disc
Team Sky actually trialled the new Dogma with disc brakes at a professional race earlier this year, as they were allowed by the UCI. Several other teams too the opportunity to try out disc brakes in smaller races during August and September.
– Team Sky races with disc brakes for the first time
The off-season is the ideal time for a racer to try out next equipment and it’s likely Ben Swift isn’t the only Team Sky rider getting some miles in on a disc-equipped race bike. It’s a useful acclimatisation exercise and with the geometry of the F8 Disc identical to the regular F8 on which this new version is based, swapping between the two bikes should be straightforward.

We’ll probably start seeing a few more disc road bikes being ridden by the professional cyclists as they start to prepare for the 2016 race season.

4 thoughts on “Ben Swift gets back to training, on a disc-equipped Pinarello”
Odd headstock area, guess it
Odd headstock area, guess it’s aero and stiffened
Makes perfect sense for a
Makes perfect sense for a winter trainer.
Aye just like a few winter
Aye just like a few winter racers in my club – carbon bike and no mudguards. At least Ben’s riding at the back. Hopefully after a few miles in his legs he will be able to hold onto a wheel and even take a spell too.
Are there any new dvelopments
Are there any new dvelopments compared to the model raced by Eisel at the Eneco?