I being a lover of style and a lover of bargains am caught. I have been riding hills and 40-5o mile weekend rides on my Specialized Hybrid for the past year and feel committed enough to get a road bike. A local bike shop has a great deal on Specialized TCR advance with Ultegra Di2. However, I haven't been able to shake an emotional desire for a Pinarello KOBH which will cost $3 grand more with the DI2. I have not even ridden the KOBH though I did find a dealer who had the Paris and based on ride alone I liked the Giant better. Most of my cycling friends are pushing me towards the Pinarello with the idea being that I will upgrade later anyway. However, realistically the Giant is more than adequate for a non competitive rider, and maybe more fun.since I won't be constantly worried about it getting scratched etc. I just can't shake the superficial fact that it is less than attractive. Someone talk some sense into me!
Giant vs Pinarello...
- Thread starter Giuseppe
- Start date
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derrick
The Glue that binds us together.
- Location
- On the edge of London
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
Pinarello bikes are pig ugly and WAY over priced, but are very good performance wise (anything at such a price point is going to be).
Giant bikes are dull aesthetically (with the odd exception, it is a sad state of affairs really, considering they make bikes for many brands yet fail to take any style cues from the stuff passing under their noses, they have zero style) IMO, but are good VFM and probably equally good performers.
Giant bikes are dull aesthetically (with the odd exception, it is a sad state of affairs really, considering they make bikes for many brands yet fail to take any style cues from the stuff passing under their noses, they have zero style) IMO, but are good VFM and probably equally good performers.
derrick
The Glue that binds us together.
- Location
- On the edge of London
I like the look of a Pinarello
http://www.pinarello.com/eng/dogma65_carbon_742.php
Not a lover of giant.
http://www.pinarello.com/eng/dogma65_carbon_742.php
Not a lover of giant.
I have owned both makes. No comparison, Giants are superior in every way - both TCRs and Defys are fantastic bikes and possibly the best of all makes at every price point.. Now that Pinarellos are mainstream they have also lost that certain something that comes with being exotic and exclusive - these intangible qualities now reside with the likes of Look and Time.
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
If it is a Kobh, it's old stock- as of 2012 model year it was renamed the Dogma K. An old riding bud has a Dogma which he loves. I'd say, if you want a premium Italian bike, go for one that was actually made in Italy- Legend would be my choice (all models built to customer's sizing rather than off the peg, for one thing), but a few others still manufacture in the old country. Either way, buy whatever suits you and a price that suits you.
Mr Haematocrit
msg me on kik for android
- Location
- Out of the saddle
Pinerello's are lovely bikes to look at and to touch, The customer service and support is lacking compared to what I'm used to.
We have a Think2 atm and its pretty decent, however I would not personally want a KOBH as its got a longer wheels base than the Dogma and curved seat stays so its supposedly more comfortable. It takes all the really good bits of the dogma and exchanges them for comfort. It feels less sure footed and nimble when pushed, you get an experience on a Dogma. IMHO I think they tried to make a Specialized Roubaix which is what I would personally buy if looking for this type of bike.
The bike I would buy for hills personally would be the SL4 Tarmac. its pedigree and race results back this up, its a great all round bike IMHO.. its not exciting, its not complicated but it just does everything so so well, its hard to say a bad word about the bike.
Don't know much about Giant bikes to be honest, so can't comment on them.
Ultimately sod your mates, test loads out and buy the one which makes you grin like a five year old at Christmas.... that is the best bike for you
We have a Think2 atm and its pretty decent, however I would not personally want a KOBH as its got a longer wheels base than the Dogma and curved seat stays so its supposedly more comfortable. It takes all the really good bits of the dogma and exchanges them for comfort. It feels less sure footed and nimble when pushed, you get an experience on a Dogma. IMHO I think they tried to make a Specialized Roubaix which is what I would personally buy if looking for this type of bike.
The bike I would buy for hills personally would be the SL4 Tarmac. its pedigree and race results back this up, its a great all round bike IMHO.. its not exciting, its not complicated but it just does everything so so well, its hard to say a bad word about the bike.
Don't know much about Giant bikes to be honest, so can't comment on them.
Ultimately sod your mates, test loads out and buy the one which makes you grin like a five year old at Christmas.... that is the best bike for you
gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
OOoooooh yes!
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
+1.
If you find a mainstream brand bike that does the job for you- be it Giant, Spesh, Trek....fair enough. But for something special/exclusive, Pinarellos don't really cut it. Apart from Legend, you've got Look, Cyfac, Time, Parlee, Crumpton, IF, to name but a few, that in many cases can build a bike for you and your precise requirements, not just one that happens to suit you. Even their lower-priced options can be far more customisable (in terms of frame design not just paint job) than Pinarello offer.
I could afford the Pinarello but 3K is not insignificant to me.
It is great to hear from someone who has owned both brands. That is very important feedback for me.
SL4 is even more $$
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
Giant DO make their own bikes, and for a great many others too. I would doubt if there were any 'Italian made' bikes any more. But with a handle like 'Giuseppe' the choice I would think is obvious!
