INEOS Grenadiers riders Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Tom Pidcock will be competing on a brand new, full suspension Pinarello Dogma XC development bike at the opening round of the UCI Cross-country World Cup in Nové Město, Czech Republic, on May 11-14, 2023.
As part of the Italian brand’s renewed focus on MTB, Pinarello began developing the bike in autumn 2022 and underwent an intense period of testing with Ferrand-Prévot, Pidcock and the INEOS Grenadiers’ technical team.
Fausto Pinarello said: “Seeing Tom and Pauline competing on the Dogma XC is going to be a landmark moment for everyone at Pinarello.
“We’ve worked tirelessly over the last months to build a bike that meets the demands of two of the very best cyclists on the planet, and we can’t wait to see how they ride it at Nové Město.”
Carsten Jeppesen, Head of Technical Partners and Cycling Relations at INEOS Grenadiers, said “Our team has been developing high-performance bikes with Pinarello for over 13 years now.
“We understand how to get the best out of each other, and we’re delighted to be working with them again on this exciting venture. Our tireless approach to research and development has already started to bear fruit as I believe we’ve got a bike we can be proud of heading into Nové Město.
“The fact that Tom and Pauline are so involved in the development process has meant from the first testing they were already impressed with the bike’s handling. This is key, as ultimately, the goal is gold at the Paris Olympics, so this bike is being developed to perform at the highest level for them both.”
Already a proven race winner with Ferrand-Prévot taking victory on the bike’s debut in the recent French Cup and Pidcock claiming victory in last weekend’s Swiss Cup, further testing will take place throughout 2023 with both riders continuing to be heavily involved in its development.
The Dogma XC will be available commercially in March 2024; and there is a second, front suspension frame also being developed.
Development on the Dogma XC began with Pinarello analysing Pidcock’s feedback and data from his two previous years of mountain bike testing and competition.
Requirements included:
- Extreme stiffness in the rear triangle and bottom bracket to offer maximum reactivity
- Simple yet progressive kinematics to optimize travel and rebound
- The ability to match suspension travel to the unique demands of each circuit
- Lightness paired with drive and handling capabilities for technical descents
The Dogma XC’s bottom bracket area optimizes stiffness and accommodates an oversized bearing and pivot point for the rear triangle.
Theoretically, having just three pivot points on the rear triangle typically inhibits rear wheel travel, but the Dogma XC’s unique geometry and integration of flex stays combine to enable travel in a more direct manner. Pinarello adds that these innovations also save weight, improve stiffness, and deliver an improved connection between rider and rear wheel.
The rear triangle comprises two distinct semi-triangles fitted to a main rotation point using a unique design where two pins are moulded to the carbon frame (patent pending).
The rear suspension kinematics take the integration of flex stays into account to maximize energy transfer while pedalling, deliver optimal compression/rebound on technical descents, and enable rider control.
Friction at each pivot point has also been minimized by utilizing a mixed bearings/bushing system.
The ability to move the suspension connection point under the top tube allows different rear shock absorbers to be fitted, with different travel, allowing riders to match their bike to the unique demands of each ride.
The custom designed, fully integrated cockpit saves weight. Fully integrated cable routing is also incorporated, as is a specific headset bearing which features an internal stopper at 60° to prevent the handlebar from over-twisting.
The rear triangle utilizes a patented asymmetric design with the left-hand side being reinforced, allowing the bike to counterbalance the higher forces applied to it on the opposite side of the drivetrain. This results in balancing energy transfer, improved speed and traction.
