Monocoque high modulus unidirectional 46 HM 3K carbon fi bre frameset, with Pinarello ONDA® fork and rear triangle.
Paris Carbon is high performance frameset with exceptional comfort that´s perfect for long distance rides thanks to the natural vibration absorbtion of carbon fibre.
Strengths: Climbs provided you have an 11 speed Campy, flats
Weaknesses: top tube thin but this design plays an aero role in descents.
Bottom Line:
Did my first century ride and this machine just whisks you away. Climbs are a breeze compared to my other bike which is a more recent model. Very stiff, very stiff indeed. Never achieved speeds with newer bikes.
Bike Setup: 08 Pinarello Paris Carbon, 09 11 spd Campy Super Record, Easton EC70 SL Wheels, Continental GP4000s, 3T Doric Ltd. Hbar, Stem and Seatpost, Fizik Arione Cx
Strengths: Great combination of extremely light bikes, which offer stiffness and heavier, more complient bikes, which absorb road shock better and also tend to handle better. i.e. my Cervelo, which weighs down in the 13-14lbs range can be rather twitchy.
Weaknesses: These frames cost way too much. I just happened to get a great deal on a used one.
Bottom Line:
Very nice all around bike. Fairly light, good stiffness, very good handling, and absorbs road chatter well. I would put this right in the mix with my old BMC Pro Machine, but with a tilted toward racing. I'm of the opinion that one has to review a bike using the same wheelset as their so called current favorite bike. Otherwise the comparison is usually flawed. My comparison comes from the fact that I've ridden the exact same setup on my BMC Pro Machine, Cervelo RS-SL, and my Pinarello Paris, all with full Campy Record. All three setups were run on Campy Hyperon Clinchers and Mavic Carbone Ultimates. Overall, the Pinarello handled both wheels the best, but failed in other areas. The Cervelo with the Ultimates is almost ungodly stiff, but running the wheels at 105-110 psi helped considerably. The Hyperons dialed in the rode chatter well, but overall the stiffness was readily apparent, but very tolerable. The BMC handled the Ultimates the best, but wheels that were less stiff made the bike feel a bit dead. The Pinarello was a great blend of both worlds, but I still felt the Hyperons made it feel great.
Reaslize, that I'm three bikes that are all equally great and the differences at this level tend to be very subjective. I've ridden all three well into the thousands of miles, so I'm just trying to give some humble feedback.
The comment about Pinarello's running large is 100% true. I'm 6ft with a 31.5" inseam. The BMC and Cervelo in 56cm fit perfectly with a 110cm stem and a seatpost that was fairly exposed upward. My Pinarello Paris is a 55cm with the same stem and the seatpost is almost completely pushed into the seattube. A 54cm would probably been the perfect fit, but the 55cm still worked well.
Overall, you can't go wrong with any of these bikes and the wheelset you choose will make a drastic difference in the type of "ride" you are looking for. If I had to pick one it would be my Cervelo R3-SL by a hair. Then again, I haven't tried a Pinarello Prince yet.
Similar Products Used: Cervelo R3-SL, BMC Pro Machine, Scott CR1, Specialized Roubiax Pro
Bike Setup: Full Campy Record, Deda bars, and many different wheelsets.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
steve clarke
a Road Racer
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2007
Strengths: Fast, responsive but still comfortable. Great looks and paintwork.
Weaknesses: Water gets in frame on wet rides, very thin carbon at top of seat tube/seat clamp.
Bottom Line:
Brought this "ex Team" machine whilst on training holiday in Majorca, Spain. Complete bike for price of frame, bargain, but most parts now changed, so bike is now pretty much new.
Fantastic looker, great ride, comfortable but responsive and fast!
A different ride than my Colnago C50, the "Paris" can't wait to be ridden hard and fast, whilst the C50 is more of an all round machine.
Which is the best? Can't decide between them, but I would say that the Colnago is built to a higher standard.
Similar Products Used: Colnago C50, Colnago Master, De Rosa Merak
Bike Setup: Deda Zero Stem, Deda Newton "classic" Bars, Campagnolo Record 2006 group, Record alloy cranks with Tiso Red Chainrings, KNCC alloy red jockey wheels, Carbon back cage on rear gear, Elite Carbon Cages, SLR Red Saddle, Campagnolo Neutron Ultra Wheels with Vittoria Pave Tyres, Time pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Garmond
a Recreational Rider
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2007
Strengths: I've never had a bike this nice and really enjoy everthing about it- the ride, components, looks, etc.
Weaknesses: This was an expensive gift to myself but hey, you're only 40 once....
Bottom Line:
You've heard this before...I wanted something fantastic for my 40th birthday...My bike is a beauty and rides wonderfully. I have not had a road bike since college and had almost forgotten how nice it is. If I never ride it again I could just hang it on the wall and enjoy it almost as much.
Similar Products Used: Tested 2006 Cervelo Soloist Carbon and Orbea Orca. Great bikes as well but I had to go with the classic Italian bike maker Pinarello.
Bike Setup: 51.5cm in Illes Balears team colors, Campy Record components, Campy Eurus wheelset, Conti GP4000, Fizik Arione, Deda Newton bars and 0-100 stem, Cateye Wireless, Tao Carbon cages
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mmcs2520
a Recreational Rider
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2007
Strengths: When you jump on it even on hills, it just gets up and goes. No hesitation, no chatter, just speed. Looks are unbelievable!
Weaknesses: Expensive!! The campy Chorus gruppo is noisy. The FSA saddle is not very forgiving. gommatalia tires are not water friendy (we get 51" of rain here a year!). I'm switching to my GP 4000's.
Bottom Line:
I went in to buy a Porsche 911 turbo and rode out with a Ferrari 599 GTB. Fast, quick, solid, smooth. The compact cranks are perfect for these old legs. Hills are now much easier. First time I've owned a Campy group and I love it (except for the noise). My wife thinks I'm nuts. I just sit in the garage and stare at it. It's a work of art until I throw a leg over it then it's a "bike that's built to be ridden." When you get on this bike and start riding it just feels right. No I'm not a Pinarello shill or groupie.
