How It Works: Pinarello K8-S Suspension

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Pinarello Announces Rear Suspension Road Bike, Ready for Cobbles

On www.pinarello.com here.

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A Pinarello Fan: Miguel Indurain

In Spanish (Indurain's discussion of his bikes and trophies begins at 19 minutes):



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A Giovanni Pinarello Story: "One Good Frame...Deserves Another"

Re-visiting a story we published in 2010, Kimberly B. writes about her cycling trip with Eros Poli and meeting Giovanni Pinarello:

One Good Frame...Deserves Another
Meeting the Inspirational Giovanni Pinarello

This summer I had the good fortune of chasing down my dream of climbing Mount Ventoux (on my bicycle). I signed up for a trip with Eros Poli, recommended by my friends. I had heard so many inspirational things about Eros Poli – the least of which was that he won the Mt. Ventoux stage in the Tour de France in 1994. Two friends from my cycling group, The Bedminster Flyers also signed up for the trip. We were excited to experience the epic climbs Telegraph, Galibier, Glandon and of course Ventoux. So, I signed up, with two goals in mind, one to make it up Mount Ventoux and the second, to come home with a story for the Italian Cycling Journal.


Our trip began with getting our bikes. Did I mention we were riding brand new Pinarellos? I rode a beautiful red Prince – a complete carbon fiber frame with Campagnolo components. I had always loved Pinarello frames and owned a Pinarello steel Stelvio that I used when racing. But this bike was something different and I was quite sure that the bike would make up for my lack of training and of course – my age (La Gallina Vecchia)! My friends tried to reassure me by reminding me of the famous Italian saying, “La Gallina Vecchia fa buon brodo (The old hen makes the best broth).”

As the trip started I remembered the story of my first Pinarello bike – the beautiful blue Stelvio frame which I still own. When I was racing I had always wanted a Pinarello frame but could not afford it. Then, a strange series of events took place. I was in a small fender bender and the driver who hit me decided to pay the expenses for my car out of pocket – to the tune of $1,200.00. This was the exact amount I needed for the Pinarello Stelvio frame I had always wanted. So, I did what any good cyclist would do... I drove directly to the bike shop, handed over the money and placed the order for the gorgeous frame. I was fortunate enough that the mechanic at the shop offered to build the bike for me with used parts from his old racing bike so that the rest of the bike wouldn’t cost so much. I was thrilled, and it made driving around with a dent in my station wagon that much less difficult.


I shared my story with my friends on the tour and it made riding the Pinarello Prince that much more meaningful. In addition, we were ending our trip with Pinarello Granfondo Cycling Marathon which started in Treviso, Italy. Eros Poli was sponsored by Pinarello as a racer and knew the family well. He brought us to their beautiful shop in Treviso where we met Giovanni Pinarello himself! I was in awe! I couldn’t believe I had the chance to meet him and his family too. Mr. Pinarello was very gracious, kind, humble, and generous – it was an honor to meet him.


Later, after the marathon was over, we saw Giovanni Pinarello again. I was eager to have a picture of him to keep along with the other Pinarello stories that seemed to weave themselves into my life. Eros saw Giovanni sitting with a friend and asked him if I could take my picture with him. He agreed. I had just finished the marathon and was covered with mud, sweat, energy drink, and probably lots of biscotti crumbs too – but didn’t want to miss my chance. I walked over with my Pinarello Prince and then Giovanni looked at Eros and said “She has a beautiful frame!” Eros, pointed to my bike and said, “Oh Yes, the bike!” and Giovanni said, “No, Her!” From then on, “The Frame” became my new nickname.

So there it is, my Italian Cycling Journal story. I felt so blessed to meet Gioavanni Pinarello – especially given the way I felt about that steel Stelvio frame. I also felt so privileged to ride up Mount Ventoux with the encouragement and inspiration of Eros Poli, a world champion, gold medalist and Tour de France stage winner. The miracles within the whole trip still astound me! And honestly, I don’t mind saying that being called a “beautiful frame” by a man with an eye for designing revolutionary racing frames made the broth that much better!

Wishing you great climbing, a chance to ride a Pinarello frame, and the chance to be with inspirational cycling heroes from all over the world!

Sincerely,
Kimberly, The Frame

P.S. I recently found out that Valentino Rossi – the famous Italian motorcycle racer also referred to himself as La Gallina Vecchia, which made me feel a bit better too! And, I did make it to the summit of Mont Ventoux (Eros and I):

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Giovanni, “Nani”, Pinarello Dies at 92

Giovanni Pinarello , the eight of twelve brothers, died yesterday in Treviso.

This is an older "history of Pinarello" (appeared here) that takes his life up to the 1990s:

He was born in Catena di Villorba in 1922. He was born at a time when life could be rather difficult, which was not uncommon, for many families ot the humble, and peasant backgrounds, in the rural farming areas of Veneto. The struggles of a simple farming life, as well as surviving the hardships of both World Wars, greatly effected an influenced the life of Giovanni Pinarello and his family. His impoverished and simple upbringing was not able to extinguish a passion Giovanni discovered he hard for the "Two Wheels".

With his determination and his love for the bicycle, Giovanni was able to make his dream come true. He made it possible to borrow whatever he needed to become part of the world of cycling. So at the age of seventeen, he began competing in the junior's category. Giovanni's dream soon became a reality and his passion began to bring him many victories. In 1947, after winning over sixty titles as an amateur, he became a member of the professional world of cycling. He was part of the professional cycling world until 1953, with five wins to his mention. With the end of this cycling career, the birth and realization of yet another of Giovanni's passions arose, the PINARELLO (the bicycle).

The making of the Pinarello began in Catena di Villorba, towards the end of the 1940's. The roots of Pinarello can be traced back to the beginning of WW II. This is when, at the age of fifteen, Giovanni began making bicycles at the factory of Paglianti. He continued making bicycles throughout his amateur cycling career. Bicycle manufacturing for the Pinarello family can be traced as far back as 1922, when Giovanni's cousin Alessandro was already making bicycles in a small factory. The beginning of this manufacturing was signified with a gold medal and a diploma in his recognition, given at the prestigious Milan Bicycle Fair of 1925.

In 1952 an opportunity presented itself to Giovanni Pinarello as a direct result of a major disappointment in his cycling career. The opportunity was for him to become an integral part of the very beginning ot the manufacturing world of bicycles in Treviso. The disappointment was that he had to give up his first love and passion, bicycle racing.

In 1952, Giovanni was presented with the dilemma of having to give up the chance to participate in the very prestigious Giro d'Italia. He was to be replaced to make way for the up and coming new star, Pasqualino Fornara. Giovanni had no choice in the matter. His sponsor, Bottecchia, offered him 100,000 Lire, a great deal of money for the times. That loss later became his fortune, career, and success, with the beginning and opening of the first and most renowned bicycle store in Treviso.

Pinarello was fortunate to be in a very economically prosperous area of Italy. This area was also synonymous with cycling and known for its manufacturing excellence. His intuition told him to take advantage of the opportunity that presented itself, and to be part of the world of team sponsorship. At first he began by helping to promote and advertise for small local teams. He also aided in the survival of the teams with whatever they needed to be able to participate in the competitive and expensive world of racing.

The first team to participate in a national competition with a Pinarello bicycle was la Padovani, in 1957. This marked the beginning of sponsoring many bicycle teams. Sponsorship was a very important and crucial vehicle in the recognition and promotion of the Pinarello name. It also helped to promote his bicycle store in Treviso.

In 1960 came the sponsoring of the first professional team, the Mainetti, which developed and produced many champion cyclists of the area. In 1966 the success of Guido de Rosso truly made a difference for Pinarello in the professional wordl of cycling. His victory in the Tour d'Avenir in France put the Treviso on the cycling map. This was the first international victory for Pinarello.

The first victory at the Giro d'Italia in 1975 by Fausto Bertoglio (Jolly Ceramica team), was another very important victory that boosted the fame and substance of the Pinarello reputation. After many years of team affiliations in the professional field, this was an instant and sensational result from the Jolly Ceramica team since their partnership only began in 1974. The final victory and other particular success at the Giro of 1975 were significant in putting the Pinarello name over the top. Until recently, Pinarello has never experienced such frame and notoriety. The name was now visible through the media having exposure through the television and began to be recognized for its exclusive artistic performance. The decade of the 80's proved to be quite fruitful with many victories in the field of cycling.

In 1980 Pinarello affiliated itself with Inoxpran, the leader in the development of stainless steel (also known for its specialty kitchen accessories). Inoxpran was in part responsible for revitalizing the once victorious cycling athletes that made up the Jolly team. They began the season with very promising riders, and a very experienced team, captained by Giovanni Battaglin. For the first time since Pinarello had begun sponsoring various professional teams, the Pinarello logo was finally seen on the team jersey as an official sponsor, alongside Inoxpran. This team was one of an extremely competitive caliber, which right from its beginnings was victorious in many races of international status. The year 1981 proved to be an extraordinary season for this power house of a team. Among its numerous victories, they captured two of the most distinguished international races, the Vuelta di Spagna and the Giro d'Italia.

Another enormous boost to Pinarello's popularity came in the 1984 Olympics. A U.S. rider by the name of Alexi Grewal took home the gold medal on a Pinarello bicycle.

Throughout the years the Pinarello victories continued, making it possible for many successful partnerships. One of these teams was Banesto, of which the Spanish champion Miguel Indurain was a team member, made the Pinarello the team bicycle.

Indurain was just an amateur then but would ride a Pinarello to victories at five Tour de France's, two Giro d'Italia's, an Olympic victory, a world time trial championship, an hour record, and many other international victories.

With the recognition obtained at the Giro d'Italia with Indurain in '92 and '93, and even with the victory of Chioccioli in '91, the victory that most stands out is the first Tour de France win in 1988 with Pedro Delgado of the Reynolds team (later called Banesto).

It was during Pinarello's partnership with many professional teams that the Pinarello name became associated with many important Italian teams, such as the Del Tongo team from '88 to '91 and the Mercatone Uno team from '92 to '95. Among the many victories of the above mentioned partnerships, the one that remains the most important is the one formed in '91 with Chioccioli of the Del Tongo.

In addition to the long Tours, the numerous and extraordinary successes of Cipollini, the most internationally well-known "sprinter" have greatly contributed to the popularity of the Pinarello name and deserve to be remembered.

Cipollini has in fact, together with Indurain, have been a famous testimonial of Pinarello's advertising compaigns. More recently, the success of the current teams, particularly Telekom, Brescialat and Banesto, should be mentioned.

In 1996 and 1997, Telekom achieved remarkable results, becoming one of the most well-known teams in the world, with unexpected successes including the victory of Riis and the second place of Ullrich in the Tour de France in 1996.

The success of Pinarello has been reconfirmed in the seasons 1997 with the 6th consecutive victory in the Tour de France and in 1998 with the second place of Jan Ullrich always in the Tour de France. 

Rest in Peace.

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Pinarello Dogma F8

Video from Pinarello:


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Pinarello Dogma F8, "End of Discussion"

It is aero.

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Team Sky and Pinarello Extend Partnership for 3 Years

Pinarello extends Team Sky partnership with a new three-year deal signed for 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Pinarello was a founding partner of Team Sky in 2010 and has worked closely with riders, mechanics and performance staff to help develop the road and time-trial bikes that have played a key role in the success of the team.

Team Sky riders have taken 136 wins on Pinarello bikes – including 27 Time Trials and 12 National Championships – worn leader’s jerseys at each of the Grand Tours and won successive victories at the Tour de France.

The team first used Pinarello’s Dogma 60.1 before Sir Bradley Wiggins won the Tour de France on the Dogma 2 and Chris Froome repeated the feat on this year’s Dogma 65.1. Time Trial success first came on the Graal with the all-new Bolide introduced at this year’s Giro d’Italia.

Team Sky’s Head of Operations, Carsten Jeppesen, said: "This has been a great partnership and it’s natural to extend our relationship with Pinarello. Fausto is a real gentleman, his team understand us, are excellent to work with and we’ve really enjoyed developing bikes with them over the last four seasons. The Dogma and Bolide have certainly worked for us; over 130 race wins, twelve riders earning national champions colours and, of course, those two successive victories at the Tour de France."

Fausto Pinarello said: "I want to thank everyone on the team – from the riders to mechanics and all the staff – for the great support that they have given us during the last four years. And a special thanks to Sir Dave Brailsford, the strongest leader in the peloton. It’s my honor to be a Team Sky partner and I am sure that together we’ll make the best bikes in the world."

Sir Dave Brailsford, Team Principal of Team Sky said: "Over the last four years our relationship with Pinarello has been a true partnership, one which we are delighted to be extending. Not only do they share the same desire for excellence, but from Fausto right through the company they are an absolute joy to work with. There is a lot more we want to achieve as a team and we go forward knowing we have the best partner to do that in Pinarello."

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2013 Tour de France: the Time Trial Specialists

Tomorrow is the 33km time trial from Avranches to Mont-Saint-Michel. Before the stage be sure to read a special in L'Equipe in English, Clock Hunters, the story about time trial specialists and the special bicycles used in this discipline. The story begins with reference to the Pinarello Espada, pictured below (right) at the Pinarello shop in Treviso.

Despite Tony Martin's crash on the first day, he has been recuperating (on the bike) and is the favorite.

The best Italian time trialist, Adriano Malori, didn't make it to tomorrow's stage having withdrawn on stage 7.

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Pinarello Dogma with Disc Brakes, Arriving When?

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Pinarello "Bolide" TT Bike for Bradley Wiggins in Giro

Pinarello is unveiling a new TT bike for Bradley Wiggins' use at the Giro d'Italia. In the past Wiggins has ridden the "Graal" from Pinarello.

Mentioned features of the new "Bolide":
-15% improvement in aerodynamics over the Graal due to:
   -new airfoil tube section
   -concave seat tube
   -brake integration
   -integrated handlebar with frame; electronic shifters are integrated into handlebars
   -internal cable routing
   -integration of all electronics into the frame; frame is also compatible with mechanical

The frame has also been increased in stiffness while losing weight (5% less than Graal) through use of new carbon layups, the unique to Pinarello Torayca 65HM1K, and BB86.

The frame is approved by the UCI.

Watch for more news from Pinarello.

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ProTour Teams: Italian Frames, Components and Wheels

The use of Italian frames, components, and wheelsets among the 18 2013 ProTour teams are as follows:

Astana Pro Team: Campagnolo components
BMC Racing Team
Cannondale Pro Cycling
Lampre – Merida: Fulcrum wheels
Omega Pharma – Quick Step Cycling Team
ORICA GreenEDGE
Sky Procycling:  Pinarello frames
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team: Bianchi frames, Campagnolo components (w/FSA crankset)
Movistar Team: Pinarello frames, Campagnolo components, Campagnolo wheels
AG2R La Mondiale: Campagnolo components, Fulcrum wheels
Euskaltel Euskadi
Blanco Pro Cycling Team
Garmin Sharp
Team Argos–Shimano
Team Saxo – Tinkoff
FDJ
Lotto Belisol: Campagnolo components, Campagnolo wheels
RadioShackNissan

Notes:
1) Lampre switched from using Wilier frames to Merida.
2) Colnago is missing as Europcar was not named as a ProTour team.
3) All the teams using Campagnolo are using the EPS (electronic) version.
4) Five teams are using Campagnolo components while ten teams are using Shimano and three are using SRAM.
5) All the Shimano equipped teams are using Di2; SRAM is the only mechnical group.
6) other wheelsets being used are Shimano, Zipp, Mavic, Corima, Vision, FFWD and Bontrager.

Leave a comment with corrections....

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Pinarello DOGMA 65.1 Giro d'Italia Special Edition

The Pinarello DOGMA 65.1 Giro d'Italia Special Edition for 2013:

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Team Sky Extends with Pinarello Through 2013

The L'Equipe story that Team Sky was dropping Pinarello in favor of Specialized is not coming true, at least not until 2014. Team Sky will ride Pinarello bikes next season after agreeing to extend their current sponsorship until the end of 2013.

After the story broke, Luciano Fusar Poli, Managing Director for Pinarello, responded to the L'Equipe story saying, "We have a three year contract which ends at the end of 2012 so we’re still the sponsor and the bike supplier. Negotiations are going very well and we have a good relationship with the team and we’re hopeful. There’s no problem, so far. Team Sky is the best team in the peloton at the moment, not only for performance but for the image and the way they’re running the team so many of the big companies could be interested. We’ve had a three-year relationship with the team and the British Cycling Federation, and they’ve been three fantastic years. We’ve developed a lot of products with them and we’ve improved our knowledge and given them good products to ride. I think negotiations will be concluded very soon. Legally nothing can be announced soon but we’re negotiating and in a good position."

Today, Team Sky announced the new agreement with Pinarello as follows:

A founding partner of the team from its inaugural season in 2010, Pinarello has provided Team Sky with winning equipment from the outset, including this year’s hugely successful Dogma 2 road race and Graal time trial bikes.

The highly-respected company has worked closely with riders and performance staff at Team Sky to develop the team’s bikes - a partnership which to date has yielded 85 victories in 18 countries.

Heading into the Tour de France as the number one ranked team in the world, with a potential winner in Bradley Wiggins as well as World Road Race Champion Mark Cavendish, Team Sky has shown a clear progression during each of its three seasons to date.

Dedication to performance

Team Sky’s Head of Operations Carsten Jeppesen said: “Team Sky are really happy to have Pinarello as a partner and look forward to building upon what is already a really strong working relationship.

“From a performance perspective we have come a long way in the three years we have been working with Pinarello to date. Their dedication to performance and servicing the team really sets them apart.

“Together we have developed a number of new models which have performed at the highest level and we aim to continue that trend. We already have some exciting plans for next year on the development front. As a team we are always looking to improve and with Pinarello we have the best possible opportunity to do that.”

President of Cicli Pinarello Fausto Pinarello agreed, adding: “Working with Team Sky has been hugely rewarding for Pinarello in the last three years and we are delighted that the team will again use our bikes during the 2013 season.

“Pinarello and Team Sky have worked closely together to develop our bikes and we’re proud to have played a part in Team Sky becoming the best team in the world. 2012 has been a great season so far but there is so much more to come in the near and long-term future.

“We’re already working hard to ensure Team Sky will again have the best bikes in the peloton in 2013.”

Team Sky will use the Dogma 2 road race bike and the Graal time trial machine at this year’s Tour de France.

Photo: Bradley Wiggins on his Pinarello Dogma 2

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New Pinarello Dogma, 65.1 Think 2

Lighter, electronic compatible (also for "old fashioned" cables), press fit BB. Also available in white/blue and red/white.

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Pinarello, Still Negotiating with Team Sky

We wrote yesterday that France's L'Equipe sports newspaper reported that Team Sky will drop Pinarello next season and move over to Specialized bikes.

Luciano Fusar Poli, Managing Director for Pinarello, has responded to the L'Equipe story saying, "We have a three year contract which ends at the end of 2012 so we’re still the sponsor and the bike supplier. Negotiations are going very well and we have a good relationship with the team and we’re hopeful. There’s no problem, so far. Team Sky is the best team in the peloton at the moment, not only for performance but for the image and the way they’re running the team so many of the big companies could be interested. We’ve had a three-year relationship with the team and the British Cycling Federation, and they’ve been three fantastic years. We’ve developed a lot of products with them and we’ve improved our knowledge and given them good products to ride. I think negotiations will be concluded very soon. Legally nothing can be announced soon but we’re negotiating and in a good position."

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L'Equipe: Team Sky Dropping Pinarello

According to France's L'Equipe sports newspaper Team Sky will drop Pinarello next season and move over to Specialized bikes. Team Sky began riding Pinarello in the 2010 season. The new contract is said to be worth 6 million euro.

Photo: December 2009 photo of the to be raced in 2010 Team Sky Pinarello Dogma 

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Team Sky and Pinarello, Getting Ready for TdF

Team Sky and Pinarello, getting ready for TdF


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Bradley Wiggins' Tour de France Pinarello Dogma For Sale

Just in case you are interested in such things: Bradley Wiggins' 2011 Tour de France Pinarello Dogma is for sale, more details here.

Description: "We are delighted to be able to offer Bradley Wiggins actual Pinarello Dogma from The Tour De France 2011. This bike is one of 3 actually built for Bradley (The first one was clearly damaged as he exited the tour) and is labeled Wiggins and No. 3. It is specified with Dura Ace Di2 and also has a bespoke saddle which has Bradley's image on a scooter. We are aiding a third party to sell this bike and so negotiations will be directly with them. A real unique opportunity to purchase a piece of British Cycling history. Please call us to discuss the price."

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EU Studies "Parasitic Copying"

"The rapidly growing number of frame copycats was a much discussed topic at last December’s Taichung Bike Week. In particular carbon frame makers are faced with more and more patent infringements and outright copies. To fight such unlawful competition the European Union published a report on the existing legal protection in the EU member states against “parasitic copying”.

One of the aims of this study, conducted by Hogan Lovells International LLP, was to identify whether the current protection available to brand owners to prevent parasitic copying is sufficient to ensure free and effective competition.

According to this study the differences in the legal regimes between EU member states allow parasitic copying to flourish in some countries better than others where it is more controlled. Such legal differences exist despite the harmonization of the registered trade marks and industrial designs since the establishment of the EU internal market in 1993.

Even though the protection available in all member states should be identical in respect of trade mark law the approaches to deal with common problems differ across the EU. The reasons why they differ may depend on how such an issue was historically dealt with in each country but also on how EU law has been interpreted.

As a result of the legal diversity the rights of trade mark holders are inconsistent and lead to different results in different Member States. The study, published mid January, provides the basis for a new reflection on the adequacy of the current legal framework throughout the European Union.

The study recommends that any parasitic copying legislation should include a clear and precise indication of its aims and objectives to make it entirely clear to a member state when the approach it had previously adopted is insufficient and/or inapplicable. Next to that specialist courts should be the only judicial arena in which claims relating to parasitic copying claims are heard."


Source: BIKE EUROPE

Pinarello is one of the most respected brands that has a huge problem, we've written here about it. FAKE:

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