bikes. specialized vs. pinarello
1210
Member
1340 days
UFTriGator posted 1 year ago.
The Pinarello (FP2, I'm guessing?) is made in Taiwan, not China (big difference.....China sucks). The Specialized is made in Taiwan, too.....Taiwan makes good stuff usually.
The '08 105 stuff is just about as good as the Ultegra.....the older stuff, not so much, but for '06 on (I think) the 105 stuff was pretty solid.
I've had a couple specialized bikes and thought they were just okay. I've had some quality issues with the company several times lately (shoes, frames, etc.).
I think everyone in Europe does road bikes far better than Americans (unfortunately, few European brands make true tri bikes). I'll never own an American road bike again because I find the quality on the European stuff (well, European and Cervelo) to be significantly better. I feel like there's always an issue creeping up with the American bikes I've had in order to keep them running in tip-top shape, while the European bikes I've owned need far less attention. On the other hand, if you find yourself on rough roads at all, the damping from the carbon frame would be nice.
Overall, one isn't going to be significantly faster than the other and they'll both work fine. Fitting to a road bike is a lot easier than a tri bike, and the geometries of the two bikes are extremely similar, so one probably isn't going to be any more comfortable than the other, either. The only significant difference is the head tube angle. The Specialized is a bit steeper, which will make it a bit twitchier (I like my bikes pretty high-and-tight, but some people would prefer more relaxed handling). I'd honestly tell you to go with whichever one you think would be cooler to ride.
______________________________________________
-Matt
Not fast enough.
564
Member
677 days
xc800runner posted 1 year ago.
Pinarello, hands down.
It will have a much higher re-sale value than the specialized, ad since Pinarello doesn't make all the components in house, they will tend to be of higher quality than what you find on the Specialized.
And did I mention the cool factor of owning a European bike? I have a Kuips -- now Spiuk -- road bike (produced in Basque Country, Spain) with a full carbon fork and carbon stays with the rest Aluminum and I prefer it to any of the full carbon bikes I've ridden. It's a little twitchy, but flies up hills and is smooth enough for centuries. And that's with an aluminum post and bars and SLR saddle. And the looks you get while riding it, plus respect from other cyclists (especially those riding the more common, and lower quality American bikes) will be worth it.
727
Member
891 days
theShiba posted 1 year ago.
Pinarello=sexy.
Specialized=not-so-much.
I have no idea of the actual ride quality of one bike vs. the other. I just know that the Pinarello will get you way more looks, and as we all know, that's what's important here.
713
Member
668 days
jhudalla posted 1 year ago.
I have the tarmac sworks and I wouldn't want any other bike - road bike that is. It's full carbon. Whenz you go carbon.. you never look back. The ride is sooo much smoother. I thought I had a flat tire for 2 weeks because my previous alum frame gave me a beating.
Specialized FTW!
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
93
Member
811 days
max ping posted 1 year ago.
theshiba. awesome answer that i will share with friends!
BTW, what the hell is theshiba?
727
Member
891 days
theShiba posted 1 year ago.
max ping wrote:
theshiba. awesome answer that i will share with friends!BTW, what the hell is theshiba?
theShiba is my name. My last name is Shiba. So, I am THE Shiba.
217
Member
586 days
iamtb13 posted 1 year ago.
theShiba wrote:
max ping wrote:theshiba. awesome answer that i will share with friends!BTW, what the hell is theshiba?
theShiba is my name. My last name is Shiba. So, I am THE Shiba.
His kids are A Shiba but he is THE Shiba.
93
Member
811 days
max ping posted 1 year ago.
thats neat. i figured it for a title or something like a "guru" or something.
727
Member
891 days
theShiba posted 1 year ago.
max ping wrote:
thats neat. i figured it for a title or something like a "guru" or something.
Many people consider me a guru, but i try my best to be humble. At least on the internet...
i am about to get a new bike. i was all ready to get the specialized tarmac comp when i happened upon the pinarello sp2. heres the gist of my dilemma.
the local bike shop carries specialized and i am pretty close... ride out of the shop often(but i have bought my son and daughter a bike there)
i am about to sell my ninja 250 for 2,000 bucks.
the tarmac is $2400.00, the pinarello $2,000.00
the specialized has 105 gears BUT, they are the new "08 105 which is a ten speed and by all accounts very good.
the pinarello is ultegra.
the specialized is a full carbon frame, the pinarello is aluminum with carbon fork and stays.
specialized is reputable and of course local...to me
the pinarello is ITALIAN... via china, but italian none the less.
help. with gas prices what they are my 50+ mpg motor bike will sell quick.
i am torn right down the middle!