Pinarello was a late entrant into the world of carbon fiber bicycles. For all of their fame for steel, aluminum, then magnesium framesets, they patiently stood back and observed in the early 2000's as certain carbon designs flourished and others failed. They were good students, and it was with an learned confidence that they finally made an aggressive entry into the carbon fiber market in 2005. Their opening salvo was the introduction of the F4:13, a gorgeous bike that plainly let the world know that carbon fiber was a top priority for the company. Given the sub-$3000 price of the F4:13, it was strategically positioned to get into the fray with the best-selling carbon bikes on the market -- the Scott CR-1, the BMC SLT 01, the Cannondale Six-13, the Orbea Orca, the Cervelo R3 to name a few. While this is a critical price point, there's undeniably a respectful rivalry amongst the top echelon of Italian frame manufacturers when it comes to a higher class of carbon bikes than these. It was probably predictable, then, that in 2006 Pinarello introduced the cost-be-damned Paris Carbon. It took on bikes like the Colnago C50 in the fight for "luxury class" frame sales. Thanks to its unmatched combination of price and ride quality Pinarello quickly gained a stranglehold on Italian segment of the US high-end bike market.

Remarkably, the Paris Carbon shares the same scalloped edges and overall extent of multi-shaping as the radically hydroformed aluminum version of the Paris from 2005. The mold of the Paris Carbon provides the same reinforced zones seen on the Paris aluminum, giving it the same key added points of strength. A conventional tube can only be butted for strength at its ends. While tube junctions are undeniably high-stress areas on a frame, other unique points on a tube are subject to forces that butting can't address due to their location. Examples include the area where a front derailleur clamps around the seat tube, the water bottle bosses, and the downtube cable stops. The compression and/or disruption of the natural form of the frame tubes at these spots have historically been headaches for framebuilders. The intricate design of the Paris Carbon monocoque main triangle specifically addresses these weak points. And given its carbon construction, it gives Pinarello the ability to make the Paris Carbon lighter and gentler on rough roads than the aluminum Paris.

A critical distinction between the Paris and the F4:13 is the composition of the carbon itself. You'll see a downtube decal on the Paris that reads "Carbon 46HM3K." The key here is the number 46. This signifies that the carbon used can withstand a pulling force of 46 tons per square mm. The F4:13 is made from 30 ton per square mm carbon. This "elongation factor" speaks directly to the weight and to the ride characteristics of a bike. The quality of the 46HM carbon allows Pinarello to use less material in building a frame with optimum stiffness and durability. You can build a frame of equal stiffness and durability from 30HM carbon, but it requires more material so it'll weigh a bit more. This is the central reason why a medium sized Paris Carbon will weigh in at 950g, but an F4:13 is more in the realm of 1100g.

The "3K" designation specifies the finish of the frame itself. The Paris' 3K finish means that each visible square of material contains 3 carbon "strands". The analogy between carbon fiber and expensive dress shirts is useful here -- the more tightly you weave a fabric, the higher its quality. According to Pinarello the tighter weave goes beyond aesthetic concerns. A more tightly woven carbon provides superior strength -- again, allowing the builder to use less material -- one more reason why the Paris weighs so little.

The Paris Carbon is available in 9 sizes between 45.5cm-59.5cm. It comes standard with a Pinarello Onda full carbon fork, a Pinarello headset, and a 31.0mm Pinarello carbon seatpost. It requires the use of a 35.0mm front derailleur. It is available in a Team Caisse d'Epargne replica, as well as in Red, in Blue, and in Black.

2008 Pinarello Paris Carbon Pricing
	Frameset	Record / Chorus	Centaur / Dura Ace	Ultegra SL / Red	Force / Rival
Paris Carbon	$4000	6653 / 6246	5651 / 6388	5550 / 6379	5763 / 5376

2008 Pinarello Paris Carbon Geometry

Size	Top Tube	Seat Angle	Head Tube Length	Setback	Head Angle
45.5	51.5	74.42	12.0	11.9	71.0
50.0	52.5	74.3	13.0	13.4	71.5
51.5	53.5	73.45	13.5	14.4	71.5
53.0	54.5	73.45	15.3	14.8	72.3
54.0	55.0	73.5	16.0	15.3	72.5
55.0	56.0	73.5	16.8	15.6	72.5
56.0	57.0	73.0	18.0	16.4	73.0
57.5	58.0	72.5	19.5	17.3	73.0
59.5	59.0	72.5	21.0	17.9	73.0