The 2024 Pinarello DOGMA F is practically indistinguishable from its predecessor, so what’s changed? And how have the pros of team INEOS Grenadier helped refine the all-round road racing machine? We were able to put the new DOGMA F through its paces in the Dolomites, conquering steep climbs and blasting back down.
In developing the 2024 DOGMA F, Pinarello clearly had one priority: the absolute optimisation of the road bike’s racing character. And who better to consult when it comes to optimisation than the pro riders of team INEOS Grenadier. The British team have long been relying on the Italian brand’s premium bikes. And with Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal as climbing specialists and classification riders, as well as Thomas Pidcock and Filippo Ganna onboard, they span the gamut of road bike demands at the top level. This would inevitably contribute to the DOGMA F’s all-round race character. Added to that are weight savings and aerodynamic optimisation, as with every new race bike on the market. Cross Country Bike
According to internal race analyses by Pinarello and INEOS, a reduction of 0.2% in the aerodynamic drag value equals a weight saving of 175 g, based on an average stage of one of the major tours. And this is Pinarello’s angle, trying to crack both sides with a wild combination of weight savings and aero optimisation for maximum gains.
Although the new Pinarello DOGMA F looks indistinguishable from its predecessor, there’s a surprising amount that’s changed. According to Pinarello and the INEOS pros, it only took a little polishing to bring the DOGMA F up to date.
The biggest change is in the frame material itself, seeing as Pinarello’s latest iteration relies on TORAYCA M40X carbon throughout: a new, stiffer variant that allows them to achieve similar stiffness values at a lower weight. It used to be exclusive to the X-Light models – and, of course, the pros’ bikes – which is no longer the case.
The only visual changes are due to improved aerodynamics: a revised, longer and 8 mm narrower head tube reduces the frontal surface area and thus wind resistance. To achieve this, they’ve also had to revise the internal cable routing. Thanks to an oval steerer tube, the cables now enter the frame via the headset in front of the steerer tube, instead of the sides. It’s a clever solution that allows them to reduce the size of the headset. However, this also means that the bike is exclusively compatible with Pinarello’s in-house cockpit.
Probably the most noticeable change, however, is hidden by the bottom bracket. By tilting the down tube forward by 3.5°, the bottom bracket area hasn’t just become longer, it also looks beefier. The Aero-Keel, as it’s called, is claimed to have a positive effect on the aerodynamics as well as improve the bike’s stiffness.
The 2024 DOGMA F also has a slightly revised, slimmer, and therefore naturally more aerodynamic fork, a now fully integrated seat post clamp, stealth dropouts, and a new cockpit. The cockpit is more than just compatible with the oval steerer. Bang on trend with current racing bikes, the cockpit features with narrower hoods. The drops are slightly flared for added control. Above all, this circumvents the UCI ban on twisted hoods, because the angle of the STIs is measured in relation to the drops.
Oh, and there’s one more change, which is particularly important to Pinarello and specifically mentioned in their product presentation. The 2024 Pinarello DOGMA F is exclusively available with disc brakes!
Pinarello DOGMA F – Elegant or showy? Opinions differ on the design of what must be Italy’s best-known race bike. And that isn’t set to change any time soon because the new model looks confusingly similar to its predecessor. The curved ONDA fork, the small lip behind the seat post, and the bent top tube make the DOGMA F unmistakable, set apart from the crowd in the road bike cosmos, both in a positive and negative sense.
Pinarello try to stand out with the colours, too. You’ve got 6 different finishes to choose from, some available in matte or glossy, and a few of which seem to play with the light. Depending on the angle that you view them, the bikes glitter in different shades and colour combinations. Like the matt Luxter Blue finish of the bike on test, which is a blue-purple blend with black raw carbon accents.
Fork Pinarello Onda Seatpost Pinarello Seatpost D-Shaped Brakes Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 R9200 160/140 mm Drivetrain Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 R9200 2 x 12 Chainring 52/36 Stem Talon Ultra Fast 120 mm Handlebar Talon Ultra Fast 420 mm Wheelset DT Swiss ARC 1400 12 x 100/12 x 142 mm Through Axle Tires Continental GP 5000 s TR 700 x 28c 28 Cranks Shimano DURA-ACE R9200 172,5 mm Cassette Shimano DURA-ACE R9200 11-30T
As you’d expect from Pinarello, our size 56 test bike comes equipped with only the best components. Shimano DURA ACE Di2 (without a power meter), Princeton Peak 4550 wheels, and a one-piece carbon cockpit. Added to that are 28 mm Continental GP 5000 S tubeless tires and a 3D-printed titanium seat post clamp. Without pedals and bottle cages, a similarly specced size 53 weighs in at 6.77 kg.
The only question that remains is what it will cost. The starting bid is € 14,500 for a complete bike. The Italians don’t want to reveal more at this time. It’s unclear why they’re being so secretive. Perhaps it’s an attempt to push Pinarello even further into the luxury segment with “price on request”. In any case, the Pinarello marketing team already see the DOGMA F as a status symbol.
Tried and tested, even the geometry table of the 2024 Pinarello DOGMA F remains largely unchanged – except for one detail. The rake of the fork grows from 43 to 47 mm. This promises more stability and better handling in the corners, resulting in even higher speeds on the descents. A change that probably benefits Tom Pidcock the most. The race-oriented bike is available in 11 sizes, catering to a wide range of rider bodies. As such, you shouldn’t have any problems finding the right size Pinarello like you might with some other manufacturers.
Immediately after swinging a leg over the bike in the Dolomites, there was one impression that stood out: It’s solid. And by solid we don’t mean a passable bike with mediocre performance. No. The Pinarello DOGMA F impressed us with a level of stiffness only few bikes possess. It effortlessly converts every watt into propulsion. It makes no difference whether you’re climbing a 10% gradient or sprinting out of a corner – the DOGMA F stays planted on the road and does precisely what it’s meant to: it charges forward with determination and speed.
This hardcore racing character comes at the cost of compliance. At a push, the DOGMA F still fits into the racing segment, though we thought (or rather hoped) that we’d left the times of rock hard racing bikes behind us. The 28 mm tubeless tires are all that makes the ride bearable, saving you from feeling every vibration and bump. And with a maximum tire clearance of 30 mm, that’s as good as it gets in terms of compliance, making the DOGMA F still somewhat conservative considering the current trend towards wider tires, though certainly not obsolete.
However, the bike piloted by descending king Tom Pidcock behaves unexpectedly in his prime discipline. Although the steering feels responsive and implements rider input without hesitance, offering plenty of control on the descents, the extremely direct handling requires a skilled rider and demands all of your attention on flat terrain and when tired. Furthermore, the lagging rear end can’t match the playful steering. On fast and winding descents, the rear end slows you down and requires even more skill and courage to push the bike into the corner, which you must do to stay on track.
The cockpit, on the other hand, is excellent. The flared drops provide added confidence and control, whether on descents, through corners, or during sprints. That said, the tailor-made computer mount doesn’t seem very well thought-out, and it looks out of place on a bike with such a high level of attention to detail. You can’t adjust the angle, so the head unit inevitably points upwards. This doesn’t just make the Pinarello DOGMA F look a little dated, but probably also destroys the marginal aero gains.
The Pinarello DOGMA F is a legendary bike that raises high expectations. The INEOS pros, Italian design, and the secrecy around the pricing help to bolster the Pinarello brand and make it even more desirable.
As a race bike, it must also be fast, and if there’s one thing the DOGMA F can do, it’s that. Thanks to the stiff frame and premium components, the bike proves to be a capable race all-rounder in most situations, just like Pinarello have long positioned the DOGMA F.
That said, there are better specialists and more versatile bikes for the most progressive riders who favour really wide tires, fast descents, and poorly maintained asphalt. However, there’s no denying that those who buy a Pinarello buy it primarily as a design object and status symbol.
Besides a few aero gains and weight savings, the 2024 Pinarello DOGMA F follows the trend towards wider tires and narrower, flared cockpits, though it doesn’t quite push the envelope. Considering the unbalanced downhill handling, exceedingly stiff frame, and rudimentary computer mount, however, there’s still room for improvement. The pricing model also raises a few eyebrows. It certainly makes it seem more exclusive, in line with the spirit of parent company LVMH, but limits the target group.
For more information, visit pinarello.com
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Words: Calvin Zajac Photos: Pinarello, Calvin Zajac
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