By Alongside the recently launched F race bike by Pinarello is the brand’s new X. Unlike the F’s race-oriented mission, the X is a road bike: A bit more comfortable and somewhat less focused on all-out speed. Pinarello, notably, claims the X has 21 percent more vertical compliance than the Dogma F.
The X’s character is primarily telegraphed by shorter, more upright geometry than the F. The X also has increased tire clearance: While the F fits a 30mm max, the X fits up to a 32mm tire. I must point out that, though 32mm maximum is more than the F or the Dogma F (28mm max), it’s still well short of what other road bikes offer. The Trek Domane, notably, fits up to 38mm.
But even though it’s the “endurance” bike in Pinarello’s line, they still gave it some of the touches found in the F and the Dogma F. The frame tubes display some aerodynamic shaping—drag numbers were not provided—routing is fully-internal (the same TiCr system used by the F and Dogma F), and a dramatically skinny carbon seatpost (the same post as the Dogma F, minus the titanium 3D printed saddle clamp) with a hidden binder. Also carried over is the Italian threaded bottom bracket shell.
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Offered in an impressive nine sizes, the X’s geometry is decidedly more oriented at road riding than road racing. Taking a look at the geometry for the size 530 X versus F, the X’s reach is more than a centimeter shorter (372.5mm VS. 385.6mm) the stack is three centimeters taller (575.8 VS. 542.6). The X also gets longer chainstays, and slightly slacker head and seat angles. The fork rake is 52mm on sizes 430, 460, and 490, while the larger sizes employ a 47mm offset fork.
Carbon comes from Pinarello’s favored partner Toray Composites, with Pinarello selecting T600 for the X-series frames. Claimed frame weight is 1,050 grams, with a 470-gram fork.
The X arrives in three builds; the X3 is equipped with either a SRAM Rival AXS or a Shimano 105 Di2 electronic drivetrain. However, the USA only gets the SRAM-equipped X3 (price TBA). The X1 is locked in with Shimano 105 11-speed mechanical shifting, priced at $3,700. One notable build difference: The X3 runs the brake hoses through the center of the stem, while the X1 routes them underneath.
The X1 and X3 have two frame color options: Black for both, with a Red option for the X3 and a white option for the X1.
A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling, Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race.
