Pinarello FP Quattro Review

May 28, 2013

                                               MOB Staff Review: Pinarello FP Quattro

                                                                        By Jay Cox

The Pinarello FP Quattro is Italian bike maker Pinarello’s mid-level carbon race bike offering. I have been pleased and fortunate enough to have ridden this bike for the past several months.
The 53cm FP Quattro that I am currently riding is constructed of 30HM12K carbon fiber, both frame and fork. This is a slightly less expensive carbon than is used in the higher end Pinarello models like the Paris and Dogma, though I find it to ride very nicely, being both smooth and responsive. The geometry on the FP Quattro also utilizes Pinarello’s patented asymmetric technology. This manufacturing technique adopts a beefier drive-side chain stay and bottom bracket to increase the efficiency between the actual pedal stroke and rear wheel power transmission. This is the same technology that is used on the higher end frames. I am not a rider that puts out enough power or torque to really take advantage of this asymmetric design, but I do think it makes sense and have to believe it offers some performance benefits for strong riders. The frame itself weighs a little more than the Paris or the Dogma, but that is to be expected given the lesser price tag.
One of the nice things about Pinarello’s line-up in general is their sizing. They offer numerous sizes per given model. For example, the FP Quattro comes in sizes 44.0, 46.5, 50.0, 51.5, 53.0, 54.0, 55.0, 56.0, 57.5, and 59.5. With this sort of span, often in one centimeter increments, a solid shop should be able to fit virtually anyone on this and all Pinarello models. My particular bike is a size 53 and fit wise I feel very evenly proportioned and comfortable.
The bike comes in several build options. It is available with Campagnolo Athena EPS components, Shimano Ultegra Di2, and a SRAM Force/Rival mix. The bike I have been riding comes stock with a full Shimano Ultegra group, minus the brakes which are of the Pinarello Most variety. The Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels are great for all-around training, though one may opt for a wheel upgrade come racing season. If I may make one small critique, it may be the slightly heavier wheel set that the bike comes with, but at an MSRP of $4100, who is complaining? I am certainly not, particularly after spending some time on the bike.
So, on to the actual ride quality. Even with the stock wheels the bike feels very solid and predictable, and I personally like the fact that the top tube does not slope as much as some of its compatriots on the market. I feel like the more traditional geometry adds an aire of stability when turning and going downhill. The FP Quattro also accelerates nicely and to me is as laterally stiff as you would ever need a road racing bike to be. Additionally the ride is very smooth and soft without feeling muted in any way. A Shimano Ultegra equipped FP Quattro with a slightly upgraded low-profile clincher wheel set tips the scales at approximately 17.5 lbs. While the bike is not a featherweight, it is well within racing tolerance weight-wise and it does not carry the rather hefty price tag that most featherweight bikes come with.
In conclusion, the Pinarello FP Quattro is a super solid high performance road bike. While it is constructed of a slightly lesser carbon than its big brothers, I would venture to say that while the Paris and Dogma are without question amazing specimens of bicycle technology, the FP Quattro possesses some of the ride quality characteristics of those higher end models at a lower price. While one can always dream of the full Campy Record Dogma, when harsh reality sets in and one decides one must also pay the grocery bill, the FP Quattro is a great high performance option and a dream come true.