Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

TECH NEWS

UPDATED: Pinarello launches all-new Prince. New affordable model is based on Team Sky's Dogma F10

Like the Dogma F10 but cheaper, with choice of three bikes UPDATED with prices

The Prince has been reborn. Pinarello has launched three new versions of the bike which used to be top dog in the Italian company's range and is heavily influenced by the top-end Dogma F10 that Team Sky are currently racing around France but uses lower grade carbon fibre to bring the prices down to a slightly more reasonable level, though not cheap, starting at £3,300. 

Go back 20 years and the Prince used to sit at the top of Pinarello’s bike range, first as a scandium frame, later made from carbon fibre. In 2010 that all changed, it was replaced by the launch of the first Dogma 60.1 signalling a new direction. It led to the Dogma 65.1 Think2, Dogma 2 and eventually the Dogma F8. The Dogma 65.1 Think2 and Dogma 2 is the bike Bradley Wiggins rode to Tour de France victory in 2012.

- Design Classic: The Pinarello Dogma and how it came to dominate the Tour de France

pinarello_prince11.jpg

While the Dogma evolved into today’s current grand tour winner, the Prince wasn’t totally ignored. It was revived in 2015 and took up a lower position in the company’s range underneath the evolved Dogma. And for 2018 the Prince has been reborn once again and is offered in three versions, pitched as it is as a more all-round bike than the race focus of the F10.

The Prince looks like a carbon copy of the Dogma F10. We're guessing it comes out of the same mould. A key difference is the carbon fibre used in its construction, T900 and T700 compared to T1100, to ensure the price makes it a little more affordable. Pinarello also says the use of carbon “contributes to increase the impact strength and to prevent breakages.”

pinarello_prince6.jpg

Many of the defining features of the Dogma F10 are present on the new Prince. The frame features a concave downtube to shelter the water bottles, whilst also curving around the front wheel. Frontal surface area is key to reducing drag, and the Fork Flap is designed to smooth airflow over the quick release lever. For the same reason, the head tube protrudes ahead of the fork to smooth air around the brake caliper. It’s a similar story at the rear brake. Finally, E-link is a port in the downtube for housing the Di2 junction box.

Two versions of the Prince with rim brakes have been developed, the standard Prince and the Prince FX, with the former using T700 carbon and the latter T900.

pinarello_prince8.jpg

Claimed weights are 940g for the Prince FX, 960g for the Prince and 980g for the Prince Disc. The disc brake version of the Prince uses the standard 12mm thru-axles and flat mount calipers.

Each frame uses an Italian threaded bottom bracket, tapered head tube, internal cable routing and internal seatclamp, and each is UCI approved.

Finally we can reveal the UK prices, as you can see below. All the bikes are based around Ultegra groupsets, mechanical and electronic, the main differences and the extra you're paying for is the better carbon used in the frame construction.

Full UK price list: 

  • Prince FX (Carbon T900/ Shimano Ultegra / Fulcrum racing 5) = £5,500
  • Prince  (Carbon T700/ Shimano Ultegra / Fulcrum racing 5) = £3,300
  • Prince (Carbon T700/ Shimano Ultegra Di2 / Fulcrum racing 5) = £4,300
  • Prince Disk  (Carbon T700/ Shimano Ultegra / Fulcrum racing 5) = £3,800
  • Prince Disk (Carbon T700/ Shimano Ultegra Di2 / Fulcrum racing 5)  = £4,800

More info at www.pinarello.com

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

Add new comment

33 comments

Avatar
HowardR | 5 years ago
2 likes

Re: "Full Team Sky kit and big belly"

Last autumn I passed three gentlemen who according to their jerseys where; the current World Champion, The TDF KoM & the TDF GC winner.

On one side it might have been observed as quite alarming just how much  Messer’s Barguil, Sagan & Froome had let themselves go since the end of the season – On the other hand it should possibly be (celebrated*) that three rather portly gentlemen, no longer in the first blooms of youth, were out having simple sweaty fun in a way that all of us here can understand whilst taking themselves (I’m presuming) none too seriously.

To me it looked like the latter - & chapeau to them.

* Re ‘celebrated’  - My apologises for using a word that’s too often appropriated by H.R type folk.

Avatar
slappop replied to HowardR | 5 years ago
1 like

HowardR wrote:

...that three rather portly gentlemen, no longer in the first blooms of youth, were out having simple sweaty fun in a way that all of us here can understand whilst taking themselves (I’m presuming) none too seriously.

To me it looked like the latter - & chapeau to them.

I'm definitely not one for 'branded' kit, but I rather enjoy doing rides in my US Postal yellow jersey. (For 'ironic' reasons, of course...)

Avatar
HowardR | 5 years ago
6 likes

Re: "Full Team Sky kit and big belly"

Last autumn I passed three gentlemen who according to their jerseys where; the current World Champion, The TDF KoM & the TDF GC winner.

On one side it might have been observed as quite alarming just how much  Messer’s Barguil, Sagan & Froome had let themselves go since the end of the season – On the other hand it should possibly be (celebrated*) that three rather portly gentlemen, no longer in the first blooms of youth, were out having simple sweaty fun in a way that all of us here can understand whilst taking themselves (I’m presuming) none too seriously.

To me it looked like the latter - & chapeau to them.

* Re ‘celebrated’  - My apologises for using a word that’s too often appropriated by H.R type folk.

Avatar
kil0ran | 5 years ago
2 likes

£££ - because there is a fixed market for £10k+ bikes and a bunch of people who'd like a Pinarello but could never afford it at that price. As long as it isn't dirt cheap you get more customers, and once you have those customers invested in the brand they might be more willing to find a way to buy a £10k bike. Same reason why you can buy the same frame used by pro teams from Cannondale/Spesh etc but built up with cheap wheels and Sora.

I guess it's similar to Porsche selling the Boxster S or Cayman alongside the 911. For much of the 2000's the Cayman had to be hobbled electronically to not outperform the 911, despite being a third of the price. 

Avatar
StraelGuy | 5 years ago
1 like

I did the Evans Cheshire 100 sportive on Sunday and did actually see a guy dressed in Sky team gear on a Pinarello and I must admit, I chuckled out loud having read this thread yes.

Avatar
srchar replied to StraelGuy | 5 years ago
1 like

StraelGuy wrote:

I did the Evans Cheshire 100 sportive on Sunday and did actually see a guy dressed in Sky team gear on a Pinarello and I must admit, I chuckled out loud after reading this thread yes.

There were guys in full Sky kit on team-paintjob F10s in the Marmotte a couple of weeks ago.  Not for me - and I quite like Sky - but each to their own.

Avatar
PRSboy replied to srchar | 5 years ago
3 likes

srchar wrote:

StraelGuy wrote:

I did the Evans Cheshire 100 sportive on Sunday and did actually see a guy dressed in Sky team gear on a Pinarello and I must admit, I chuckled out loud after reading this thread yes.

There were guys in full Sky kit on team-paintjob F10s in the Marmotte a couple of weeks ago.  Not for me - and I quite like Sky - but each to their own.

I was having a drink at the top of a climb in the Dolomites in 2016 and saw some lot approaching, all wearing Astana kit.  I was getting ready to have a laugh when I realised it was actually a Team Astana training ride, headed up by Nibali.

Avatar
srchar replied to PRSboy | 5 years ago
2 likes

PRSboy wrote:

I was having a drink at the top of a climb in the Dolomites in 2016 and saw some lot approaching, all wearing Astana kit.  I was getting ready to have a laugh when I realised it was actually a Team Astana training ride, headed up by Nibali.

I rode up Alpe d'Huez the day after the Marmotte.  I was passed by a bunch of French Bardet fanboys in full AG2R kit. They'd even bought matching Factor bikes and, shortly after being dropped, I was overtaken by a Skoda estate that they'd had wrapped in team colours!

Losers!

Avatar
don simon fbpe | 5 years ago
2 likes

I've never really understood devaluing your own brand, except to make a wholesale jump into the cheaper markets. I wouldn't spend £10k on a bike with the knowledge that Joe Public might think it's a £3.5k bike. Spending £10k on a bike isn't just a superior ride but a symbol that oozes success and tells the world that I have more money than sense achieved much and should be listened too.

Avatar
Welsh boy replied to don simon fbpe | 5 years ago
1 like

don simon wrote:

I've never really understood devaluing your own brand, except to make a wholesale jump into the cheaper markets. I wouldn't spend £10k on a bike with the knowledge that Joe Public might think it's a £3.5k bike. Spending £10k on a bike isn't just a superior ride but a symbol that oozes success and tells the world that I have more money than sense achieved much and should be listened too.

That is a good point if your justiication for spending £10k on a bike (rather than £3500) is so that Joe Public are in awe of you because you spent so much money on a bike.  Otherwise it is a bit of a sad confession to even suggest that you are in the slightest bit concerned how Joe Public percieve you and that your bike is a symbol of your "success".

Avatar
srchar replied to don simon fbpe | 5 years ago
6 likes

don simon wrote:

I wouldn't spend £10k on a bike with the knowledge that Joe Public might think it's a £3.5k bike. Spending £10k on a bike isn't just a superior ride but a symbol that oozes success and tells the world that I have more money than sense achieved much and should be listened too.

Exactly.  This is why I plan to use a race number holder to mount the price tag on my Pinarello.  It will also allow me to signal to everyone that I support my LBS - online don't do price tags - and should be particularly aero.  Unfortunately, since it cost £13k, I'll have to flip the price tag - but fellow Froome fans will be able to read it correctly when I'm fixing a puncture or lubing my chain.

By the way - G has been given a Gan K Disk for week 3.

Avatar
ficklewhippet | 5 years ago
1 like

Whoops.
Google 'precession'...

Avatar
Pitbull Steelers | 5 years ago
0 likes

i like the look of the disc version. i'm tempted for a new winter bike but no doubt my mrs will have other ideas looking at the prices. 

 

Avatar
Nick T | 5 years ago
2 likes

Because it doesn’t happen, unless you’ve only tightened the cup with your little fingers and your B.B. has seized

Avatar
Smudgersmith15 | 5 years ago
1 like

ive got a Pinarello FP3 from 2010 and I’ve never had an issue with the BB unscrewing itself. 

Avatar
Pilot Pete replied to Smudgersmith15 | 5 years ago
1 like

Smudgersmith15 wrote:

ive got a Pinarello FP3 from 2010 and I’ve never had an issue with the BB unscrewing itself. 

same here, apart from it is now ‘I had’, sold to a mate who hasn’t suffered that issue either.

PP

Avatar
Veloism | 5 years ago
5 likes

*Full Team Sky kit and big belly not included

Avatar
StraelGuy replied to Veloism | 5 years ago
1 like

Veloism wrote:

*Full Team Sky kit and big belly not included

 

.

Avatar
dreamlx10 replied to Veloism | 5 years ago
1 like

Veloism wrote:

*Full Team Sky kit and big belly not included

A perfect bike for all the Sky fanboys to go out on with their elbows sticking out and faces looking straight down at the stem

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to dreamlx10 | 5 years ago
5 likes

dreamlx10 wrote:

Veloism wrote:

*Full Team Sky kit and big belly not included

A perfect bike for all the Sky fanboys to go out on with their elbows sticking out and faces looking straight down at the stem

typical nodder post, why do you have a problem with what any given person rides, how is that affecting you, what do you ride fanboy, I bet you still stick your knee out going round corners eh newbie

Avatar
dreamlx10 replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
2 likes

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

dreamlx10 wrote:

Veloism wrote:

*Full Team Sky kit and big belly not included

A perfect bike for all the Sky fanboys to go out on with their elbows sticking out and faces looking straight down at the stem

typical nodder post, why do you have a problem with what any given person rides, how is that affecting you, what do you ride fanboy, I bet you still stick your knee out going round corners eh newbie

Let me know when I'm getting to you heart

Avatar
vonhelmet replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
2 likes

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

dreamlx10 wrote:

Veloism wrote:

*Full Team Sky kit and big belly not included

A perfect bike for all the Sky fanboys to go out on with their elbows sticking out and faces looking straight down at the stem

typical nodder post, why do you have a problem with what any given person rides, how is that affecting you, what do you ride fanboy, I bet you still stick your knee out going round corners eh newbie

Perhaps I’m about to fall into the sarchasm, but I’m pretty sure it was a joke about Froome’s riding style...

Avatar
dreamlx10 replied to vonhelmet | 5 years ago
1 like

vonhelmet wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

dreamlx10 wrote:

Veloism wrote:

*Full Team Sky kit and big belly not included

A perfect bike for all the Sky fanboys to go out on with their elbows sticking out and faces looking straight down at the stem

typical nodder post, why do you have a problem with what any given person rides, how is that affecting you, what do you ride fanboy, I bet you still stick your knee out going round corners eh newbie

Perhaps I’m about to fall into the sarchasm, but I’m pretty sure it was a joke about Froome’s riding style...

It was indeed vonhelmet,but you know what the Sky fan boys are like, so touchy

Avatar
slappop replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
0 likes

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

I bet you still stick your knee out going round corners eh newbie

Yea, but you've got to admit: that looks so cool.

Avatar
Miller | 5 years ago
1 like

That's 'affordable' only in a relative way then. But an Italian threaded BB shell, aren't they notorious for the cups unscrewing?

Avatar
Nick T replied to Miller | 5 years ago
2 likes

Miller wrote:

But an Italian threaded BB shell, aren't they notorious for the cups unscrewing?

 

no

Avatar
Welsh boy replied to Miller | 5 years ago
0 likes

Miller wrote:

But an Italian threaded BB shell, aren't they notorious for the cups unscrewing?

Yep, an example of bad engineering. 

Avatar
EM69 replied to Welsh boy | 5 years ago
1 like

Welsh boy wrote:

Miller wrote:

But an Italian threaded BB shell, aren't they notorious for the cups unscrewing?

Yep, an example of bad engineering. 

Thats what I used to think, 3 years and thousands of miles later no problem. With so many variants on the market I will never understand how something so simple ever got so complicated...

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to Miller | 5 years ago
0 likes

Miller wrote:

That's 'affordable' only in a relative way then. But an Italian threaded BB shell, aren't they notorious for the cups unscrewing?

Yup, also see French bottom brackets, the Swiss BB had the same tpi/pitch but at least had the fixed cups' orientation the correct way!

Avatar
joules1975 replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
0 likes

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

Miller wrote:

That's 'affordable' only in a relative way then. But an Italian threaded BB shell, aren't they notorious for the cups unscrewing?

Yup, also see French bottom brackets, the Swiss BB had the same tpi/pitch but at least had the fixed cups' orientation the correct way!

Maybe you guys should think about this a moment. Itallian BBs tighten up clockwise on both sides, which means that as you are pedalling, the rotation in the crank is correct to loosen the non-drive side but should actually tighten the drive side.

Meanwhile, British thread BBs are designed such that the spinning direction of the crank is correct to loosen both sides (idea being that if the bearings seize, you won't torque tighten you BB to the point you can't get it off - same with pedal threads).

So in other words, British BBs are the ones that should be more problematic when it comes to loosening when in use.

So in my view and experiance italian BBs are actually fine, if manufactured and installed correctly, just like british thread BBs, and indeed press-fit BBs.

Pages

Latest Comments