With two world championship titles achieved on the Bolide, Pinarello has continued to push forward on the design of its marquee time-trial machine. The new Pinarello Bolide TT features a whopping 350g claimed reduction in weight as well as lower aerodynamic drag compared to the prior iteration, thanks to fine-tuning of the carbon frameset design.
Mikel Landa's New Pinarello Bolide
While changes were made for better aerodynamics, the Bolide TT retains Pinarello’s signature, swooping aesthetic.
The new concave down tube reduces the space between the water bottle and frame, thereby smoothing airflow and reducing drag. The rear brake gets a slippery new cover, the top tube was redesigned and even the front dropouts were tweaked for aerodynamics.
The new rear brake cover is reminiscent of the Batmobile
Pinarello makes the Bolide TT with Torayca T1100 1K carbon for use with electronic drivetrains and its own integrated brakes. Notably, the UCI-approved bike uses an Italian threaded bottom bracket — not a PressFit model — and will come in four sizes.
Pinarello has not said exactly how much the new frameset or complete bike weighs, but retailers selling the current Bolide claim that a size 52.5 frame weighs 1,044g, and it's reasonable to estimate that the fork would be at least 350g. All that to say, dropping 350g is substantial. Perhaps some of this claimed weight savings could come elsewhere on the bike.
Team Sky rider Mikel Landa will race the Pinarello Bolide TT on May 15th in the 9th stage of the Giro d’Italia using a custom titanium handlebar.
“Again, Pinarello has produced a fantastic bike. I’m so happy to use the new Bolide tomorrow in the Chianti time trial. Knowing how much work has gone into preparing this bike for me just gives me even more motivation to achieve the best result,” Landa said.
