Pinarello

FCX/Shimano 105 Complete Bike

When Pinarello began developing its new FCX, the overall goal was to build a machine with the same speed and handling of its top-end road bikes, only with a design that's specific to off-road racing. The objective was met, and the result is a stunning example of what happens when you combine the know-how of producing some of the world's best bikes with a groupset comprised of the most tested components available.

The Pinarello FCX/Shimano 105 was designed for everything that is cyclocross. The passion that Giovanni Pinarello found for "two wheels" in the 1920s is the foundation of a name synonymous with the wins of Indurain, Grewal, and Cippolini. Pinarello refuses to rest on its laurels. Continuous research and testing in new materials, geometries, and systems, supersedes the somewhat frenetic market for new bikes. Every frame, fork, and component is tested on Montello and in the Dolomites — where legends were made. This same attention has been given to the FCX frame. It's not just a road bike with cantilever brakes and knobby tires. It's been developed specifically for the demands of off-road racing.

Derived from the much acclaimed Dogma K, the Pinarello FCX has the quick and responsive handling of a road bike. The design implements 30HM12K carbon, which although not as light as the Dogma's 60HM1K, is more durable. Like the Dogma, it features an asymmetric design. Pinarello studied and restudied the forces in action as a rider sprints on the pedals, pulls on the handlebars, and muscles the bike through corners. FEA (finite element analysis) confirmed that an asymmetrical design leveled the variances in frame deflection from one side to the other. This is especially beneficial in cyclocross, where a bike must handle additional stress of an off-road course.

Pinarello utilized slightly rounder and more curved tubing for the FCX than with its road frames. While ideally 'cross is ridden "on" the bike, shouldering the bike in intense race situations is perfectly normal — the rounder tubing makes this less painful. In addition, internal cable routing reduces pinch points along the top tube, while also keeping mud and grime off of your cables. Mechanical Tektro Lyra disc brakes stop you in any conditions — on the road during your traffic-riddled commute or on the wet racecourse.

Designed to be an economic build for those who don't need to break the bank to achieve results, the FCX was built up with durable Shimano 105 shifters and derailleurs. The Tiagra 11-25t cassette and Shimano CX50 46/36t cranks give you more versatility in the big ring, leaving plenty of gears for nasty kickers on the course. The wheels are Alex CXD5 mated to Kenda 191 tires. Pinarello finished out the build using its MOst components: C-Alu Bar, Xylon PG Stem and four-bolt saddle. The MOst components are painted to match the frame, which provides a custom look to the build.

The Pinarello FCX Shimano 105 Complete Bike is available in the color Black/white and in the sizes 47, 50, 53, and 56cm.