Total newbie question - can I use my dad's Pinarello?

[K'sJET]

Hi from a newbie!

My husband participated in TNT's century ride in Lake Tahoe last year. I went along for moral support and decided that I want to do the ride some day. My dad's boss gave him a Pinarello Prince SL (2006, maybe?) last year and he is no longer able to use it due to recent surgery. He has offered it to me and I would love to be able to use it for a TNT ride next June. I don't know the exact specs, but I'm pretty sure it is 54cm (possibly a 52cm, but I can't figure out how to tell). My dad and I have the same inseam of 32". I'm 5'7" and he is just over 5'8" with more length in his torso. Is it possible that this bike will work for me? I will have it properly fitted at a bike shop my husband frequents. Is this kind of bike okay for a century ride?

I'm in decent physical shape and workout at the gym regularly, but I have never been a cyclist so I'll need a lot of training.

P.S. - The JET in my user name is the intials of my 3 kids. It's not because I'm fast.

[Tri Girl]

Hi and welcome to TE! As long as you're fit properly to the Pinarello and you feel comfortable riding it- why not? Sounds like it's a pretty new bike, and I suspect it's in good condition. Free is always good! I suppose you'd want some good climbing gears on that puppy for Tahoe, tho. I'm in the TNT circle quite a bit (on the running side), but everyone says Tahoe isn't that bad (but I don't believe them because I'm a terrible climber).
How neat that your DH did the race. I've heard NOTHING but great things about that event- how just incredible it all is. Since you've been there as support- it would be neat for you to be on the other side of the pedals, huh?

Take the Pinarello in and get it fitted. If it works, then go for it. If nothing else, it'll give you a great introduction to cycling and then you can buy yourself your dream bike for Tahoe. Have fun, and post pics if you decide to keep it.

[mimitabby]

Hi K!
welcome to TE.
yes, it's possible that the bike will fit you.

It's probably a great bike for a century ride; however, the key is the top tube length. If your dad has a long torso and yours is shorter, it's quite possible the top tube for this bike is going to be too much of a stretch for you. But who knows? Try it out!

[Pedal Wench]

Holy Cannolli! That's an amazing bike, and the size could definitely work for you -- the bike shop will know right away. That's a great bike for centuries, races, training -- fun!

[K'sJET]

Thanks for the welcome! I did sit on the bike and it feels great. My husband said it looks like a good fit, but obviously we'll have to go out for a ride to be sure.

I don't know about climbing gears, but my husband did the ride on a Fuji Roubaix Pro with whatever crankset it came with (sorry, don't know the correct terminology) and it was his first year riding. He says I can do it with what is already on the Pinarello, but he might have more confidence in me than he should.

It really was beautiful! I can't wait to go back.

[Pedal Wench]

Thanks for the welcome! I did sit on the bike and it feels great. My husband said it looks like a good fit, but obviously we'll have to go out for a ride to be sure.

I don't know about climbing gears, but my husband did the ride on a Fuji Roubaix Pro with whatever crankset it came with (sorry, don't know the correct terminology) and it was his first year riding. He says I can do it with what is already on the Pinarello, but he might have more confidence in me than he should.

It really was beautiful! I can't wait to go back.

A simple and cheap (well, cheaper) fix is to get a cassette that's better for climbing. It's easy to swap out, and having options is always good.

[violette]

OK, maybe I'm wrong, but aren't those bike models over $10,000!!!

[K'sJET]

I don't think so. It's the Prince SL model (SL7X1X). It's similar to the yellow one pictured here: http://www.bikyle.com/Pinarello05.asp (scroll down a little).

[kermit]

If that bike is the Prince like you say, thats like a $10,000 machine. If you don't want it, I'll take it. Sounds like your size, get a fit and ride the heck out of it. Whatever you do, don't give it back.

[K'sJET]

I don't think it's a $10k bike. It's a Prince SL7X1X. I looked it up and the MSRP is $3000, but it sells for around $2000 now. It's the aluminum frameset. It might be older than 2006. I'm not sure when they started making them all carbon.

[Eden]

OK, maybe I'm wrong, but aren't those bike models over $10,000!!!

That would be cool - but probably not.... the Prince SL is a "mid range" (well at least for Pinarello ) model. That's not to say it isn't a very good bike - its definitely not entry level, but not one of the $10,000 we'll fly you to Italy for a custom fitting, bikes. Its probably alu or scandium with carbon stays. No doubt it is a very nice bike and a very generous gift for her dad's boss to have given him. When it was a new bike it was even a model that appears to have been popular with racers. The frame set is very light. In all likelyhood its an 04' they stopped making most Princes that year and switched to carbon in 06 (if it has a wavy front fork its an 05')

[sundial]

My dad's boss gave him a Pinarello Prince SL. Is this kind of bike okay for a century ride?

Yes! You want to be oh so stylish for your first century. After all, you want to feel like your fast, right? I'd say that Pinarello has been feeling neglected and it needs a woman's tlc.