Pinarello 2009 FP3 Dura Ace

Price Paid:  $3800.00 at Lone Star Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
Any time I can!!

Bike Setup:
Full Campy Centaur with Carbon Brake Levers, MOST Compact Chainring(50-34), MOST Carbon Cranks, LOOK KeO Sprint Pedals, Cateye V2C Wireless Computer.

Summary:
I bought my 2009 Pinarello FP3 with Campy Centaur this past August 21st. Since then I have put about 500 miles on it and every new mile just feels better and better. I’m 69 inches tall with a 32 inch inseam and bought the RED 51.5 (is there any other color?) which comes standard with the 110mm stem. Prior to my FP3 I was riding a 2007 Specialized Allez Expert Triple size 54 with full Ultegra(see review here) which is also a very nice bike.

But the Pinarello is a Lamborghini compared to the Allez which is more of a Mustang. You can go test ride the Prince and then test the FP3 and I guarantee you that unless you’re a Pro Peloton cyclist you will not notice the difference. It is just one sweet ride. I actually miss it when I’m not riding it and away on business and I find myself just staring at it when I’m home. IT WILL TURN HEADS!! So if you don’t like the “bling” factor don’t buy it! Happy cycling!

Strengths:
Crisp, clean handling, awesome looks, HEAD TURNER!!!

Weaknesses:
A bit on the heavy side but not noticeable.

Similar Products Used:
2007 Specialized Allez Expert

Price Paid:  $4600.00 at Veloce

Favorite Ride:
Flying Wheels Summer Century, Seattle

Bike Setup:
Ultegra SL derailleurs, Dura Ace 7800 triple everything else, Shimano A520 pedals

Summary:
It's a surprisingly comfortable ride for a racing frame, and that's important at my age (61). It takes grades, shallow or steep, better than anything I've ever ridden and accelerates around corners with great stability. I'm not that refined a rider, but this feels like a Prince on a pauper's budget.

Strengths:
Acceleration, hill climbing, stability in sprints, handling, attractive looks

Weaknesses:
A touch heavy, but barely noticeable

Similar Products Used:
2007 Lemond Victoire

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Treviso, Italy

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia

Bike Setup:
Centaur Gruppo, Most Thundercat ergo handlebars, Most XLR saddle (Selle Italia SLR), Most Lynx C7 compact crankset, Campagnolo Zonda wheels, stock Continental ultra sport tires, Keo pedals.

Summary:
I just picked up my Centaur equipped FP3 and put in a couple hundred kilometers so far.
A little background... I'm 5'-10" and 155 lbs, non racer but road biked for 35 years. I enjoy the weekend metric-century group ride. My previous bike was a mid-70's steel lugged, campy record equipped Raleigh Pro which I must say served me well.
I upgraded my FP3 from the factory to include the Most XLR (Selle Italia SLR) saddle, Most Thundercat ergo handlebar, and Campagnolo Zonda clincher wheels - otherwise all stock with Keo pedals.
First impressions are "wow" the FP3 is light years ahead of my Raleigh - as expected with 35 years of technological improvements. However, I'll try to be objective...
Ride quality seems plenty rigid and responsive, while also smooth and not at all punishing to the rider. On the maiden voyage I took it straight up the nearest hill and found it to be a worthy climber, not surprising given the 5-6lb weight reduction from the Raleigh. More impressive was on the descent where it's Prince-like geometry produced a combination of confidence and excitement the likes of which I've never felt on a bike before. I backed off at 55+kph but the bike felt very stable and clearly wanted to go much faster. To quote another reviewer "It tracked like it was on rails." On the flats it simply does what it's told. Power transmission feels very efficient - the bike just wants to go! Handling is consistently stable without feeling heavy and never felt "twitchy".
For me the aesthetics were also a factor. The finishing is top-notch and IMHO the Pinarello designs are some of my favorite cycling eye candy. I wanted a bike both beautiful and functional. The FP3 doesn't disappoint me.
The bike is not an ultralight. With two bottle cages and pedals it tipped my bathroom scale at 18.3 lbs. The bars added a few grams, the seat took a few off compared to stock components.
The 2009 Centaur gruppo is performing admirably and I love the new ergo levers! The braking is excellent. I ride on the hoods a lot and find a finger or two on the top of the lever is plenty under almost all conditions. I love the ergo bars, and with the ergo levers mounted high on the bar it creates a wide 'table' to rest my palms on comfortably with a smooth transition on and off the hoods.
I heard mediocre reviews of the stock Chall aluminum wheels, and given wheel importance - gave them a pass. The Zonda wheels look great, roll smooth, feel rigid under torsional stress, and while it's too soon to report on durability, others have given them solid reviews.
For what its worth, I toured the Pinarello factory in Treviso, Italy recently and saw firsthand their quality control and attention to detail. The FP3 frame (like other Pinarello CF frames) is made by Torayca in Taiwan. Once received in Treviso each frame gets a thorough inspection, numerous alignment checks using custom jigs and is meticulously finished in their new paint/decal shop area, and assembled.

Strengths:
Rigid frame, great handling, smooth ride, fantastic looks and finish, stability in descents. It's a Pinarello!

Weaknesses:
A tad heavy at 18.3 lbs including Keo classic pedals, Zonda wheels, two bottle cages, and heaps of Pinarello decals. Expensive compared to comparably equipped competition.

Similar Products Used:
1970's vintage steel lugged road bikes (first carbon fiber bike).

Price Paid:  $2700.00 at cicliferca Italy

Favorite Ride:
pnarelo fp3

Bike Setup:
campy centaur group with FSA slk light crank( carbon shifters, rear derailleur)
fulcrum racing one wheels
most talon integrated bar/stem
selle italia kit carbonio saddle
most tail c-alu seatpost
pinarello integrated stem
most oversized bb
garmin 205 gps

Summary:
I just purchased my FP3 from Cicliferca in Italy, who gets the bikes directly from Italy. I purchased the snow version with Centaur components after discussing the qualities of Dura Ace vs Campy. I already own two Dura Ace 7800 equipped bikes which person exceptionally well. But even the lowly Centaur IMHO performs as well as DA and is more fitting on this bike. I've upgraded the Most wheels, crank, seat, bars,and stem to Fulcum Racing 1's, FSA slk light compact crank. and Most Talon integrated bar/stem combo (beautiful and functional component), and a selle Italia slr kit carbonio white seat. I also switched out the rear derailleur to a Centaur carbon unit for aesthetic reasons only. This bike is faaast and comfy.bike climbs like a goat and descends with nary a twitch. Feels very stable and safe a 38+mph.

Strengths:
very responsive
upgradeable - worthy of record 11 components
very beautiful

Weaknesses:
a bit heavy

Price Paid:  $6500.00 at Contender Bikes

Bike Setup:
Full SRAM Red Drive Train, FSA K-Wing Handlebar, FSA CSI Carbon Stem, Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio Flow. FSA K-Force Lite Seatpost, Ksyrium SL Wheelset, TRP R950 SL Brake Set. Look Carbon Cages, Look Keo Sprint Pedals.

Summary:
There are so many factors that can be attributed to the way a road bike feels, such as a proper fit, component mix, and so on. Its important to consider I am not riding a stock FP3 as I have swapped out almost everything. I wanted a Prince, but couldn't justify the price tag so I took the next best thing and built it up to reflect the component mix I would have purchased had I shelled out the bucks for a Prince frame. I made sure to get this dialed in perfectly and I couldn't be happier. Weighing in at just a touch over 16 lbs, this bike snaps off the line, carves through the corners and climbs like a mountain goat. I am not someone who reviews bikes for a living so I can't tell you the subtle nuances between my FP3 and a Prince (100 grams and some stiffening ribs are all that separate the frames) but I am guessing if you are a racing enthusiast like myself you won't be able to either. It's built as a no compromise race bike, stiff and aggressive, however I find myself quite comfortable in the saddle and don't anticipate any problems on the longer century rides. I feel more connected to this bike than anything I have ridden in the past, and I get giddy at the seamless transfer of power from legs to the road. Its a beautiful ride to behold and the fit and finish is exceptional. I did my research, and I feel that dollar for dollar I have no regrets.

Strengths:
Prince Geometry, look and feel for 2500.00 less(Prince frameset is 5500.00). Beautiful finish, and much rarer on the road than what you typically see out there. With component upgrades, only 100 grams and a couple of stiffening ribs separate me from riding a Prince.

Weaknesses:
Slightly heavier carbon frame (1100 grams vs 990 on a Prince). Stock bikes come in a bit heavy with MOst/Shimano component mix.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Six13, Specialized Roubaix Expert