Pinarello has launched the F1, an entry-level version of the F-Series race bikes, priced at £3,000 / $3,500 / €3,700.
The brand has employed a revised carbon layup compared to the next-cheapest F5 bike, fitting a Shimano 105 R7100 groupset and alloy wheels.
With Pinarello renowned for selling road bikes at the upper end of the price spectrum, the F1 could represent an enticing entry point for those who were previously priced out of ownership.
A foot on the Pinarello ladder
The F1 shares the crown for the cheapest road bike Pinarello sells (with the X1 endurance bike), but it features the same race-oriented geometry as the F5 and F7.
When I tried the F7 in 2023, I was impressed by its all-round race bike prowess, although the F1 features Toray T600 carbon, versus the T900 carbon frame I rode.
Pinarello doesn’t claim a specific frame weight. However, it’s reasonable to assume the lower-tier carbon is likely to feature a less impressive stiffness-to-weight ratio than either the F7’s T900 or F5’s T700 frames (which weighed a claimed 950 and 990g, respectively, in a size 53), but could offer greater compliance.
It’s worth recalling that Pinarello initially said the T900 layup offered the “ideal balance between reactivity, low weight and vibration absorption [and is] perfect for competition”, while the T700 layup “maintains excellent responsiveness and performance, but with a greater capacity to absorb road vibration”.
It’s also natural to conclude that this carbon layup is contributing to the bike’s relatively cheap price.
That said, the same characteristic asymmetric shape is clear and present, and the bike also features the brand’s wavy Onda fork with turbulence-reducing teardrop dropouts.
Both feature the brand’s TiCr internal cable routing, which sees cables and hoses initially routed into the handlebar and stem, then entering a port in front of the steerer.
A protruding head tube is said to further boost aerodynamics, along with ‘flatback’ tubes and the proprietary bladed carbon seatpost, although Pinarello hasn’t published any comparative testing results.
The bike has clearance for 30mm tyres and uses an Italian threaded bottom bracket.
Shimano 105 R7100 specification and price
The F1 features the same basic specification as the X1 105 endurance bike, with a Shimano 105 R7100 groupset paired to the Japanese brand’s WH RS-171 alloy wheelset.
Pinarello supplies the compact 50/34T crankset and 11-34t cassette.
Pirelli P7 clincher tyres are fitted, while the two-piece cockpit features the brand’s Most Jaguar XA Aero handlebar and Tiger alloy stem.
A Most Lynx Ultra Superflow (based on the Selle Italia model) completes the build, costing £3,000 / $3,500 / €3,700.
Analysis: is the Pinarello F1 a good deal?
Relative to the rest of the F-Series range, the Pinarello F1's £3,000 price tag ( $3,500 / €3,700) represents a chunky saving.
The next step up on 2025 F-Series ladder, the F5, costs £4,500, with a 105 Di2 R7100 groupset and Fulcrum Racing 800 alloy wheels.
But how does the F1 compare to its contemporaries in the market? Well, there are certainly lower-priced options available, with nominally similar builds, from fellow ‘big player’ brands.
The Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7 costs £2,349 / $2,799 / €2,499 with a one-piece carbon cockpit (Simon has tested the Ultimate CF SL 8 Aero), for example, while the Giant TCR Advanced 2 is £2,699 / $3,300 / €2,900 (Warren has sampled the Advanced SL 0).
Meanwhile, a Specialized Tarmac SL7 Sport remains on sale in the US and Europe for $3,500 / €3,400.
In short, there remain alternative race bikes at an equal or cheaper price point – but it’s also fair to say the Pinarello allure is a draw for some, and no doubt Pinarello will argue the credentials of its new machine against 'older' rivals.
We’re looking forward to giving the Pinarello F1 a thorough test soon to find out how it stacks up against other carbon race bikes.
