Amongst world cycling’s super teams, super bikes come with the territory. Some manufacturers shout about headline feathery frame weights, and this arms race is almost an end in itself. One of the sport’s most revered names, Pinarello chose another way. The Dogma 60.1 was a fine machine which didn’t sacrifice performance for light weight, so how does its sequel, the Dogma 2 improve the package?
At first glance, the Dogma 2, as ridden by Team Sky's Alex Dowsett in this year's Tour of Britain, is hard to distinguish from its predecessor, save for reverting to glossy paint instead of the previous mat finish. But closer inspection reveals subtle frame sculpting and shaping. Claimed weight for Dowsett’s 54cm frame is comparatively modest 920g, but that’s not the whole story. Asymmetry is again the order of the day, and after all, the drive train is on the right side of the bike so why shouldn’t the frame design account for that?
The process begins up front, where the curvy Onda 2 fork has a larger right side blade, but also a more aerodynamic profile and shaped crown blended in to the down tube. As a result of team feedback, the head tube is 4mm longer, and houses a tapered steerer with a larger 1.5in lower bearing for increased stiffness under braking, and greater frame torsional rigidity. The head tube area has been reprofiled, the top tube is offset, and the down tube has a strengthening ridge beginning half way down the drive side, which curves around the bottom bracket area to end below the front mech. The drive side chain stay is far beefier than the opposing one, but the rear end is otherwise very similar.
The lengthened head tube area shows the tapered steerer's 1.5 inch lower bearing, frontal aero sculpting and new smooth profile
A new process that smoothes the internal surfaces during moulding increases frame strength and lifespan, allowing Pinarello to claim the Dogma 2 gives a 14 percent increase in lateral stiffness, 19 percent increase in braking stiffness, 6 percent improved frontal aero efficiency and a 30g weight saving. The new frame comes in two versions, with internal routing for cables or wiring, but as a Shimano sponsored team, Sky run exclusively Dura Ace Di2. With this in mind, Pinarello added an integrated bolt-on Di2 battery mount, replacing Shimano’s bottle cage mounted adaptor and cable tie arrangement.
As newly crowned British time trial champion, Dowsett’s set up reflects his specialism. A 175mm Dura Ace SRM crank fitted with a 54 tooth chain ring provides the drive, and a low, stretched out position keeps him comfortably aerodynamic. Key to this are the long Deda stem, listed as 130mm, but with a centre to centre measurement of 145mm, and the slightly angled Prologo saddle helping power delivery. Saddle setback is minimal, allowing Dowsett to ride in a more typical time trial position, although that layback seatpost may be swapped for a straighter one to improve aesthetics.
Shimano Dura Ace C50 carbon wheels with Veloflex Carbon 22mm tubulars
Dowsett rolls on a selection of Shimano Dura Ace wheels, with 22mm Veloflex tubular tyres providing the grip. The Deda Zero bar is wrapped in Sky branded handlebar tape, and the team use Elite fiberglass bottle cages. Total weight in this spec was 7.61kg, including 200g of SRM hardware, but it seems to work well for Sky’s variety of rouleurs, climbers, sprinters and general classification riders.
Already a successful team, since the introduction of the Dogma 2 before the 2011 Tour de France, Sky’s results have reached an even higher level with a stage victory at the Tour followed by two at the Vuelta, and second and third overall. With such talent helping to develop the bike, expect to see Alex Dowsett on more podiums soon.
Complete bike specifications
- Frame: Pinarello Dogma 2, size 54cm
- Fork: Pinarello Dogma 2, 1 1/8 to 1 1/2in tapered
- Headset: Pinarello integrated, 1 1/8-to-1 1/2in tapered
- Stem: Deda Zero 13cm -6°
- Handlebars: Deda Zero 100, 42cm (c-c)
- Tape/grips: Prologo Sky branded
- Front brake: Shimano Dura Ace with Shimano prototype carbon-specific pads
- Rear brake: Shimano Dura Ace with Shimano prototype carbon-specific pads
- Brake levers: Shimano Dura Ace Di2
- Front derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace Di2
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace Di2
- Shift levers: Shimano Dura Ace Di2
- Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7900, 11-25T
- Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-7901
- Crankset: SRM PowerMeter Dura Ace FC 7800/7803, 175mm, 54/39T
- Bottom bracket: Shimano Dura Ace with external cups
- Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-SL PD-7900
- Wheelset: Shimano Dura Ace C50 carbon
- Front tire: Veloflex Carbon 22mm tubular
- Rear tire: Veloflex Carbon 22mm tubular
- Saddle: Prologo Scratch TR with Pro Ti Solid rails
- Seat post: Pinarello carbon team issue
- Bottle cages: Elite Fiberglass x2
- Computer: SRM Power Control 7
- Other accessories: Elite Sky/Gatorade bottles
Critical measurements
- Rider's height: 1.83m (6ft 0in)
- Rider's weight: 73kg (161lb)
- Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 770mm
- Saddle setback: 60mm
- Seat tube length, c-t: 560mm
- Seat tube length, c-c: 514mm
- Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 576mm
- Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 145mm
- Head tube length: 157mm
- Top tube length: 535mm actual
- Total bicycle weight: 7.71 (17lb) with SRM cranks and head unit
