italian singletrack
pinarello FV5 R45 000|asgsport.co.za ASG Sport Solutions 012 751 4130 At first sight, what drew my attention were the sleek lines of the frame and PINA FV5 inset within the glossy dual suspension, black carbon frame. My first ride began a tad sheepishly as I wheeled the FV5 out of the garage and greeted my friendly neighbours on my way out. It wouldn’t have been such a fuss if they knew me as someone who liked shiny things… Needless to say, I headed off to beat the sunrise with red cheeks and blushing. What initially caught my attention was its rigidity and nippy feel – possibly due to Pinarellos being designed from some of the toughest carbon constructions around. It flicked its way around the tightest obstacles with consummate ease. I was mostly eager to discover whether Pinarello’s claim to asymmetrical frame system design was at all noticeably different? With the suspension dialed up to your weight and riding style, you’ll find the rigid feel of this dualie hard to match. We can’t wait to see what their new Dogma XC 29er is like to ride! The carbon FV5 finds itself on the lighter side of the weight scale for trail bikes, weighing in at just over 2.2kg (frame and shock only). It’s kitted with the bulletproof Shimano XT drivetrain in its entirety. XT components tend to be of the more hardy and reliable type and they cross over nicely for the use of the weight weenie, hard-core racing snake as well as the rider looking for a comfortable and reliable steed to last a while. While comfort often comes at the expense of speed, the FV5, although having a racy feel, balanced itself nicely between the two. The Pinarello full-suspension system works on the proven and efficient 4-pivot link design which aids in the power application and maximum efficiency through each pedal stroke while under load, be it climbing or sprinting. I do prefer a stiffer more responsive feel and choose to ride the suspension harder than I should regardless of the bike. Having the lockout on the suspension is handy when the surface is smooth
however. With the PINA’s slanted dimensions I selected to ride with the rear shock and the front fork wide open and was impressed by how plush it felt… Bring on the singletrack! It felt poised on the stretch of road that leads to the local trails, so much so that if it had a set of slicks on, suspension on full lock… I am pretty sure you’d keep up with the weekend roadies easily. Being on the road is certainly not my cup of tea, so we soon hit the trails. This is a very capable trail bike, although a bit sluggish on steep climbs, it certainly made up for it on the flat bumpier sections and proceeded to stretch my smile on technical and tricky descents. With the slant of the head tube at 70 degrees, I did notice some fork flex over bumps, which worsened under braking. The simple solution here would be a through-axle that would also improve lateral stiffness. A through-axle stiffens up the feel of steering due to its added rigidity through the front hub. This is especially noticeable under heavy braking and through tight turns. In addition, through axles provide the peace of mind that your wheel is securely fastened and provide the benefit of consistent wheel alignment each time you insert the wheel. There is a place for the conventional quick release skewer, but I would recommend the former to the hardened trail junkie who may notice the added benefits. It’s difficult to position the FV5 into a riding category, as the ride is comfortable enough for the long marathons, yet stiff and responsive enough for XC. The FV5 is a true companion for most occasions; it will raise eyebrows on the coffee shop ride with its sleek look and will impress the hard-core, baggy-wearing trail blazer with its nimbleness and composure off the beaten track.
In comparison to other carbon dualies in its price range, you have the aggressive feel of the Specialized Epic and the steeped raciness of the Scott Spark. The FV5 feels a little more like an all-day cruiser with a turbo as apposed to the above-mentioned fire breathing, all-out racers. Having read previous reviews of the Pinarello, some say it’s the SUV of mountain bikes; that it is rigidly composed in the urban jungle and has the ability to conquer mountains and revel down the descents with relative ease – I couldn’t agree more. The FV5 is certainly one for the fun-seeker. Although it’s not exactly a bargain buy, it is truly a ride for someone looking to do it all with comfort and ease and for those who have a racy streak in them.
handling build quality ride quality value
T
we rate
4.1
TEST HIGHLIGHTS & LOWLIGHTS HIGHS Overall ride and comfort delivery; the surety and control it offers through the tricky stuff, especially on singletrack and downhill; the conscious thought of riding a Pinarello. LOW Could be a bit better on steep uphills.
Test Ryan Hodierne
jul aug 2012
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