Pinarello

Gan 105 Complete Road Bike - 2016

Affordable isn't a word usually associated with the Pinarello brand, which is more commonly associated with a penchant for top-tier designs and the accompanying sky-high prices. Its Gan collection changes the game though, bringing the famed Pinarello pedigree into a price range that's far more accessible to us mere mortals. The 2016 Gan 105 Complete Road Bike does make some compromises compared to the super light, super stiff race machines that precede it, but its blend of carbon fiber and workhorse components is more than capable of grinding out epic miles on mid-summer fondos or lining up and throwing down at local road races.

Pinarello eliminates zeros from the price of the Gan by utilizing a lower grade carbon than that used on purebreds like the Dogma F8 and F10. That being said, a lower-grade layup translates into a nearly undetectable sacrifice in added grams and less stiffness for all but the most discerning cyclist. It still has an incredibly responsive, vibration-damping ride quality, as well as those mesmerizing lines that give frames like the Dogma models their aerodynamic prowess.

Aside from carbon layup, the differences between the Gan and its pricier counterparts are few and far between. Line up confidently as the crosswinds kick up just in time for your next road race knowing the Flatback tube profile on the Gan is capable of managing wind from a full range of angles.

Pinarello's signature asymmetric design reinforces the drive-side of the frame while removing unnecessary weight from the non-drive side, promising unyielding rigidity during out-of-the-saddle efforts. Pinarello also shows that its bikes are defined on entirely different terms than the rest of the industry by spec'ing this entry-level member of the Gan line with Shimano's 105 5800 shifting. Better than the groupsets earning winner's jerseys just a few years ago, 105 deserves every bit of praise it's earned since its most recent update, and it makes a reliable addition to the build.