Pinarello has updated its X Series endurance road bike range with increased tyre clearance, integrated frame storage, and prices starting at £3,150.
Increased tyre clearance? Everyone’s at it these days, in both the road and gravel worlds, and Pinarello now offers space to fit tyres up to 40mm on its X Series bikes – up from 35mm.
> Read our review of the 2023 Pinarello X3 105 Di2
And remember those X-Stays 2.0 that we told you about when they were added to the Pinarello Dogma X a couple of months ago? Either way, they’ve now been adopted by the X Series bikes.
X-Stays is the name Pinarello gives to its distinctive seatstay design, with a double-arm system at the top and four attachment points with the seat tube.
According to Pinarello, “The revamped design and lower attachment points disperse road vibrations more efficiently, while the lower linkage also minimises rebound to deliver a smoother, more controlled ride.”
When we reviewed a previous version of the X3 – without X Stays – we said that the bike delivered a surprisingly comfortable ride, even on rough sections of roads.
Stu Kerton said, “It has a decent ride quality overall, with a good amount of damping from small amounts of flex in the frame. It’s not exactly class-leading, but it’s a pleasurable place to be on UK roads.”
And when Aaron Borrill reviewed the Dogma X with first-generation X Stays he said, “The X Stays were designed to reinforce lateral stiffness without interfering with vertical compliance. In other words, it provides more side-to-side stiffness without impacting comfort or compromising stiffness at the bottom bracket area. Whether or not you can actually feel this is up for debate but the bike certainly has a buttery-smooth ride quality.”
New seatpost
Pinarello has given the X Series bikes a new seatpost that’s intended to provide comfort by delivering 10mm of flex.
“This seatpost is lighter and more efficient than its predecessor when it comes to absorbing harsh vibrations and impacts, working in unison with the X-Stays to serve up an ultra-smooth ride,” says Pinarello.
Integrated storage
If there’s one thing that’s as popular with frame designers as adding extra tyre clearance right now, it’s including internal frame storage (except for the guys at Trek who recently removed down tube storage from the Domane).
Pinarello has added integrated frame storage to its X Series for the first time via an access port in the down tube. A custom toolbag lives in there where you can store a maintenance kit, a spare inner tube, an emergency Snickers bar or whatever.
Three carbon options
X Series bikes are available in three different types of carbon fibre.
The X9 and X7 models use Torayca T900, designed “to provide the ideal balance of responsiveness, weight and vibration absorption.”
The X5 and X3 models feature T700 carbon that’s “optimised for responsiveness and reactivity but with a greater vibration damping capacity.”
The X1 is made with T600, which “prioritises compliance”.
Elliptical steerer
You’re probably not going to get to excited about an elliptical fork steerer, but this is something that has been added to most of the X Series bikes.
“A key technical advancement across the X9, X7, X5, and X3 models is the introduction of an elliptical steering tube, now encompassing fully integrated front cable routing,” says Pinarello.
“This evolved design significantly improves torsional stiffness and front-end precision, resulting in more confident handling and greater stability, especially on long descents and rough terrain.
“The X1 maintains the previous-generation X Series frame architecture. This deliberate choice retains complete compatibility with traditional mechanical groupsets.”
The frame is compatible with SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger.
> What is UDH and is it the future of all bikes? SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger explained
Tried and tested geometry
Although many aspects of the X Series bikes have been changed with this update, the geometry isn’t among them.
The X-Series bikes are said to be “longer, higher and more comfortable than the Dogma X – offering the perfect balance of efficiency and all-day comfort.”
Who is the Pinarello X Series aimed at?
As mentioned up top, the X Series is an endurance road range, although 40mm tyre clearance suggests you can be quite generous in your interpretation of the word ‘road’.
Pinarello says the updated range is “for riders who live for long, epic days in the saddle” and that the bikes are “built to maximise rider comfort on everyday road surfaces”.
“Developed for cyclists who value the pure riding experience over chasing seconds on a climb, the lineup sets itself apart from the Dogma X with its refined geometry, differentiated carbon structure, and increased load capabilities,” says Pinarello
Pinarello X Series: range and prices
X9 €11,000*
Frame material Torayca T900
Groupset Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2×12
Wheels Most Ultrafast 45
X7 £6,500
Frame material Torayca T900
Groupset Shimano Ultegra Di2 2×12
Wheels Most Ultrafast 45
X5 £5,000
Frame material Torayca T700
Groupset Shimano 105 Di2 2×12
Wheels Most Fast 45
X3 £4,400
Frame material Torayca T700
Groupset Shimano 105 Di2 2×12
Wheels DT Swiss A 1800
X1 £3,150
Frame material Torayca T600
Groupset Shimano 105 2×12 (mechanical)
Wheels Most Fast 27
* We don’t have a UK price for the X9, hence quoting its price in Euros.
