Oh no, severe bike lust has struck again (and it's Italian!)

Dear Wise TE Ladies:

I need your help. I have been struck with bike lust (again) and significant WANT.

I was so put out with the first bike shop that I visited here in Houston (they are a local chain and I like their store out in the country where my folks live) that I was desperate to find a new store. Well, I think I found it. This place is small, the staff is super nice (and really cute) and very helpful. The first guy I talked to about riding routes whipped out a map and was directing me all over the place.

Well, then I was just browsing the store and there, up on the wall was a pink bike (you know me and pink!). And I walked closer. It was Italian. A Pinarello. With Ultegra. IN MY SIZE. ON SALE!!!!!

Anyway, I went home and rode my bike back to the shop so they could put my pedals on it so I could take it for a test drive. I mean, I had to. Really!

And it was heaven on wheels. So light. So stiff. SO responsive. Perfect geometry. Absolutely amazing. I was in love. A giant grin on my face.

I come back to the shop and I start chatting with the bike store guy and come to find out this shop is the only Pinarello dealer in Houston. Also, that they make ANOTHER pink bike model called the Paris. That really, since I would just take this already built model apart (needs new wheels and the bars are too big and it's only Ultegra) I might as well buy the Paris frameset and build another bike from scratch (what I did with my Cannondale Synapse).

Oh no ladies. This bike. I am in LOVE.

Here's a picture:

The Paris, also known as the love of my life.

I feel like I'm cheating on my Synapse!

Help ladies! I don't really NEED another bike, but on the other hand, I swoon at the thought of this beauty being in my stable.

What to do?!

That is gorgeous!

This sounds like my experience when I first saw Cannondale's 2011 SuperSix 4 Rival. I had already decided that I wanted that set-up for my next bike (after almost a year of riding an aluminum Synapse with 105). Then I saw it in white and orange...orange is my favorite color. My heart stopped. As soon as I showed it to DH he knew he couldn't even try to tell me no, since he has like a half-dozen bikes! :p

I think you NEED that bike! :cool:

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It was Italian. A Pinarello.

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I lust after these bikes everytime I see one in person or in a magazine---a thing of beauty:D *sigh--- I ride these bikes in my dreams:p

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Are you kidding me?

Did you see this thread?I test-rode on Sunday.

We did it again. :p

Do you know which model you tested? The one I tried was the Quattro, with SRAM Rival, but it is available with Ultegra, too.

Was it this one?

Discovered the best place online for Pinarello info is Competitive Cyclist.

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Ahh I didn't see your thread!! I tested one of the FP Models - it was a 2011 (that's why it was on sale). Mostly for the fit and the geometry, because apparently the Pinarello sizing is totally different. I rode a 49 (easy fit) but on measuring, the TT was 53, just like my Synapse.

So are you going to get one?? I decided to go with the Paris - which fully built would be MSRP $7k, but at the frameset is just (HA "just") $3600. I am sure I can find parts for it just like I did my last one. Thinking of going SRAM - Rival or Red, can't decide.

But your job was to talk me out of it!! My Synapse seems so wimpy now :(

Siiigh.

That happened to me when I saw a Luna. I've had it now for 7 years and it's still the most amazing bike I've ever owned. Enjoy!

That is a gorgeous bike! Bellissima!

I can't talk you out of it either. I'm anxiously awaiting for October so that I can get a new mountain bike (my LBS has their sale in October). Plus, I'm already dreaming of potential, more expensive, prettier road bikes (I'm also a pink and purple type of lady). That 2012 Paris Pinarello is gorgeous!
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

Great pictures and a link to more of a Paris on another forum. There's something about those Italians!

OMG! That is a beautiful bike. I am a sucker for a white bike with teal or pink accents. Pink is my favorite color and I accessorize everything in it. :rolleyes: I am about to get some bike glow in pink to light up my commuter bike at night! I couldn't talk you out of this beauty. SORRY!

Ooooooooohhhhh, pinarello. I test drove one when I bought my bike, and Oh. My. God. I loved it.

Get it get it get it get it!!!

You guys are seriously unhelpful.

;)

oh go ahead and buy it, you know you want to!

Plus be prepared to share the name of the bike store when we get together to ride.

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Originally Posted by westtexas

You guys are seriously unhelpful.

;)

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Of course we are. What, you thought we'd talk you out of it? :p

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Originally Posted by marni

oh go ahead and buy it, you know you want to!

Plus be prepared to share the name of the bike store when we get together to ride.

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Give the bike a good home, your's! :cool: Buy the bike, buy the bike....

Italian. Hunk. Need we say more?

I'll add more pressure...you deserve that bike.

We are a happy group of enablers. :eek:

Holy cow that bike is beautiful! I can't help talk you out of it either :rolleyes: Awesome looking bike.

No help from me either except leaning towards the bike which is a beauty. I felt the same when I test rode the Amira S-Works. I really love my Ruby Pro, but words can't describe the ride I get on the Amira. Just rode 110 miles on her on Saturday with head wind to Montauk Pt. I don't think I would have faired as well on another bike. The price of mine was in the same ball park and it has Sram Red which I really like :)

That is a seriously beautiful bike, go for it :) You know we rarely talk people OUT of buying a bike, but that one has your name all over it.

Of course, I AM the woman who wound up bringing two bikes home at the same time a little more than a year ago...

I've seen a few Pinarello bikes at my LBS and they look fast sitting on the rack ;)

You know, I don't even like pink and I think that bike is gorgeous. :D If you've got the money, do it!

wow! :eek:

And seriously? You're asking us what you should do? I think the answer is obvious... BUY IT!!!!:p:D:);):cool::rolleyes: NOW!!!

Oh Pina's!! These are seriously great and beautiful bikes. Go for it!! I really (really, really) wanted one but couldn't afford it so I bought a Trek instead. My mind set was: If I can't buy a Ferrari why not buy a Pinnarello ;)
My second bike for sure is going to be a Pina!! The male models are awesome. Have you seen the Dogma?

Ahhhh!

Ok.

I'm going to buy it.

Just found out that I'm getting more than $1000 back in deposits from my last apartment that I just moved out of, so that puts me about 1/4 of the way towards the frame. I will have to save a bit - unless I can finagle a way into getting the cute bike shop guy to let me make payments on it. Still have to get the parts though, since right now I'm only looking at getting the Paris framset and building up from there.

Heheh :D

Surprise surprise...NOT!

Peer pressure wins, again! :D

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Originally Posted by westtexas

Ahhhh!

Ok.

I'm going to buy it.

Just found out that I'm getting more than $1000 back in deposits from my last apartment that I just moved out of, so that puts me about 1/4 of the way towards the frame. I will have to save a bit - unless I can finagle a way into getting the cute bike shop guy to let me make payments on it. Still have to get the parts though, since right now I'm only looking at getting the Paris frameset and building up from there.

Heheh :D

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See if he will take layaway, my LBS does as well as several others in my area. They don't advertise it but they do. In these economic times I suspect more bike stores do than perhaps once did, it never hurts to ask. This is how I purchased my custom Gunnar, same cost of your frameset. For you the advantage would be no concern that the frameset would be sold out by the time you are ready to pull the trigger. A frameset doesn't take up much storage space at the LBS and it is a guaranteed sale for them ;)

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Originally Posted by westtexas

You guys are seriously unhelpful.

;)

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I agree. Fire us as advisers. lol

I am so jealous and I'm not necessarily a fan of pink either. That is a sharp looking bike. Okay, hanging my head in sadness as I look at my perfectly nice Cannondale.

not that i'm an enabler or anything... :D

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-Pinarel...#ht_500wt_1413

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Originally Posted by roguedog

not that i'm an enabler or anything... :D

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-Pinarel...#ht_500wt_1413

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Gorgeous! But for that expensive a bike especially, she needs to figure out what size it is as that is the very MOST important thing for a buyer to know! She doesn't necessarily have to be able to say "the frame size is...", but she needs to post some measurements. I can't imagine anyone will drop $2K plus on a bike without this very basic information.

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Gorgeous! But for that expensive a bike especially, she needs to figure out what size it is as that is the very MOST important thing for a buyer to know! She doesn't necessarily have to be able to say "the frame size is...", but she needs to post some measurements. I can't imagine anyone will drop $2K plus on a bike without this very basic information.

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Very true. Plus, the Pinarello model I'm looking at is their Paris, which is pretty much just under their best bike model, the Dogma. I'm going to build it myself too, because I find that very satisfying and I'm very very picky. The guy at the shop told me that all their high-end frames that you can get as the frameset are actually made in Italy and are much better quality than their already built bikes, which are made in Taiwan. Sold! Hahah. Now I just have to save up the cash. Siiiigh.

:D

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

... Pinarello Quattro ... Their easy fit sizing is kind of a joke, if you compare the charts next to each other, they fit right in with no change in proportions. Marketing?

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Not marketing: The head tube is longer on the easy fit models. Compared to the closest non-easy fit sizes, the head tubes are 10 to 25 mm taller.

Comparing the bottom bracket to steerer relation: The easy fit 42.5cm is just a millimeter shorter than the regular 42cm. The EF 46 is midway between the regular 44 and 46.5. The EF 49 is also a mm shorter than the regular 50. And finally the EF 51 is 3mm longer than the regular 51.5.

Muirenn, I know exactly how you feel. The one I test rode was the Easy Fit 49 and the TT length was 53 cm. Which was perfect for me (I need a long TT for my height - 5'6"). This is the hardest part about buying the Paris frame unseen - I am going to go talk to him today (FINALLY not working... this new job is killer) and see if we get it shipped and if it's not just right, can I send it back. When you spend this much $$ it's gotta be perfect, right?

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Made my head spin! But okay. :)

I suspect you know a lot about Pina's!

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Nope! I'm not a Pina expert.

It's just that a while back I made a huge spreadsheet with (currently) 3356 road bike geometries - with up to 62 values per geometry. When possible, the spreadsheet calculates missing measurements from those that are given.

Anyway, building the spreadsheet gave me a feel for how different frame brands approach geometry. And Pinarello is in the spreadsheet...

hey.. just got an email that pinarellos will be on sale thru the TDF. Looks like different models each week.

Posting link.. don't know if this'll work though. Click: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact....HQn2NvoxIj8%3D

Wow, beautiful bikes!

Checking out the prices makes me feel even better about the cost of my lovely custom Gunnar :cool: Of course, they ARE Italian bikes...that look fast sitting still.

Hope you've bought that gorgeous bike by now, I just saw the thread. About 8 weeks ago, I fell for a Pinarello FP3. It's gorgeous, fast, fits me perfectly. I love it!! Also love my other bike, a Cannondale Touring 2, which is a completely different bike ... so now I can happily say I have two world's best bikes! Course, I'll never retire. Save money? Who,me? Here's a link with photos: http://susancycling.blogspot.com/sea...&by-date=false

Go for it!

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Originally Posted by Suze

Hope you've bought that gorgeous bike by now, I just saw the thread. About 8 weeks ago, I fell for a Pinarello FP3. It's gorgeous, fast, fits me perfectly. I love it!! Also love my other bike, a Cannondale Touring 2, which is a completely different bike ... so now I can happily say I have two world's best bikes! Course, I'll never retire. Save money? Who,me? Here's a link with photos: http://susancycling.blogspot.com/sea...&by-date=false

Go for it!

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I WISH I had bought my bike by now. But moving, starting a new job, and some other unexpected expenses have left me penniless and cleaning my mom's house on my days off to earn extra cash. Soon enough though once I start getting paid I'll be able to get it. Luckily, ordering a frame and building a bike takes time anyway, so I'm not in a rush.

Okay. This bike is drop dead gorgeous. I hope you are able to get it soon so you can take lots of pretty pictures for us! As a soon to be beginner, I can only live vicariously through all of your lovely bikes. :) Good luck with the new job and stuff!

HA! You just wanted a chance to flaunt your bike again! :D

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Not sure if you were talking to me or WT, but here is mine. It's a Quattro.

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Originally Posted by roguedog

HA! You just wanted a chance to flaunt your bike again! :D

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Don't blame her. If it were my bike I'd be flaunting it every chance I got! :-)

Haha Muirenn, flaunt it all you'd like! :) I was talking about everyone's bikes. The Pinarellos are really eye catching and I'm pretty sure they (the bikes) know it. ;) Is there a thread somewhere where people are posting pictures of their bikes in general? I love looking at all the different ones.