This is a series:
- Part 2 - http://mycyclingjournal.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/chinarello-build-part-2-build.html
- Part 3 - First Ride - http://mycyclingjournal.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/chinarello-fake-pinarello-build-and.html
Since Bradley Wiggins won Tour de France 2012 I've been a big fan of Team Sky. And not just Brad but the Team Sky line ups such as Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome have inspired me so much. I'm also that sort of a person who falls in love with a bike brand that is ridden by the winning team. Hence, I also fall in love with their bike: Pinarello Dogma.
The only thing that prohibits me from loving it more is THE PRICE! Man.....when I asked my LBS how much it cost, the frameset itself was AUD$6500! That's when I started to look out for other alternatives. Searching for Pinarello Dogma in Google somehow returned me a lot of results of Dogma replica frameset that is built in China. Initially I wasn't interested until I find out that the price is less than 1/10th of the real thing! The frameset was only USD$615 with free shipping to Australia.
To build a complete bike out of the real thing would have cost me at least $8000 and that's with "crappy" components while with the Chinese replica would cost me around $2-3K. In fact, with $3K would get me Sram Red!
CHINARELLO INITIAL UNBOXING REVIEW
So there I was taking the plunge. I ordered one from this vendor. The frame arrived few hours before I wrote this article. First impression of the transaction was: I was so happy! It took less than a week for the frame to arrive from China to Australia and the vendor replied to my email and requests promptly. His name was Jerry Wang.
When the box arrived I was also thrilled by how good and secure the packaging was. Please check the pictures below for more details.
Frame is full carbon and just simply looked like the real thing! YEAH! I am smiling a lot as I write this article as I am so happy about it and can't wait to start building it.
Unless you really-really look at it closely (what I mean by close is literally close ie. 1-2cm from the frame), you wouldn't be able to tell that this is a replica frame. Paint was a job well done! In fact, there is even a writing saying "Made in Italy" :)
Frame is also very light. I haven't been able to put it to a proper scale but by lifting it, it is only slightly heavier than my Roubaix S-Works frameset. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual weight is not far away from the one mentioned in their website. But let me put it on a proper scale and I'll update you all.
What I get with this is frame, headset, fork and aero seatpost. I'm so looking forward to build and ride it. I think it will just be awesome but until then please stay tuned. I should be able to write some reviews by the end of next week (it is 27th of November 2012 as I write this article). See you soon!
I'm very curious on the outcome.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Waiting for reviews and pictures...
Have ordered mine, been about 11 days since I paid, great to see you're happy with yours, good luck with the build, will compare when mine arrives!
ReplyDeleteOh, quick question, has the front mech bracket got 2 or 4 rivets? the real thing has 4 with a recessed portion of the frame for the bracket. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I'm not a bike mechanic so I wouldn't understand what front mech rivet is. Where can I check? Sorry.
DeleteIs rivet the hole on the frame for the front derailleur?
DeleteDon't worry, just curious if they've copied it or not, the front durailleur connects to a bracket on the seat tube, the pinarello bracket has 4 rivets but I suspect the replicas will have just two.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteJust check do you have any problem on your seatpost?
It can be easy put in and take out?
Hi all, fyi I get an LBS to build it for me. It should be ready in the next day or so.
ReplyDeleteI'll ask the guy what his experience is like. Stay tuned.
You do not have to pay VAT(Value added tax ). For us it was 27%.
ReplyDeletegemesif
@gemesif: yeah...we don't get tax for anything under $1k..hey but the guy can write it as if it's only a gift or small item ...you can tell Jerry whatever price you want him to write so you don't have to pay the huge tax mate.
ReplyDeleteMy box came with "cycling product sample" ...and he wrote something like $99 or something. Try to negotiate with him.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteDid you get the inserts for Di2 and cable gears with the frame?
Also did it come with the Pinarello carbon steerer spacer?
I'm trying to decide which colour frame to go for from greatkeen. Are you happy with the quality of the paint finish of the frame?
Phillip,
DeleteThe bike is still with LBS...so far I have the following report:
- No steerer spacer
- BB thread is Italian and not English
Cable inserts are compatible for both DI2 and mechanical. I am putting SRAM Red on it though.
Confused, there is clearly a pinarello steerer spacer on your pictures. The italian BB is anoying as they clearly state English is the standard BB and I've bought English cups, I've emailed to check but changing to italian wont be a biggie. I'm building my bike myself so anyone that want's direct feedback, I'll be happy to oblige and I have a friend with a Dog 2 legit frame which should be the same size (53) so will be doing a side by side comparison.
ReplyDeleteI also found it odd that they supplied his frame with a Italian BB. When I checked with Jerry he said that mine was English BB68. As far as I know that do not supply steerer carbon spacers with the frame. Those are extra. I ordered my frame must have been 3 weeks ago and it just shipped out today. I get the impression they are very busy. When It arrives, CRC toolkit in hand, I will start the transfer of bits and addition of others. Looking at other blogs, I went the way of 50mm carbon pro clinchers from Blade x and I already have most of the campy carbon Centaur. Also picked up the Most 2012 curved handlebars. I only just noticed that they have no cable guides running through them so that might be a bitch to run. I doubt I will seen much change out of 1500.00 euros when all is said and done. But I do think the carbon wheels really do bling the bike.I wish Tommy would hurry the LBS along, love to read about his build and how the bike rides.As to your question as to the rivets on the front derailleur, It looks like these frames only have 2 rivets. In my opinion should be Ok but 4 is stronger. Easily changed afterwards if needed. One problem that I do see is if you are using old cables then snipping perfect ends going to be a sod running through those clear guides. I did have a thought about the mounting holes for the Di2 battery next to the chainset. You could put a neat little digital camera bos there and tuck away a spare tube and levers. Probably clean up the lines on the seat not using a saddle bag for short trips. I wish all luck in this adventure. Love to hear how you all get on
DeleteI'd be interested to hear how your build goes as I'll be building mine. I'm planning on placing my order next week just struggling with the paint job. Really like the matte white finish with the red gloss but not sure how the finish will hold up to the UK weather. I'd be intersted in the frame size comparison, I'm looking at a 49cm but the measurments seems a little out when comparing the other sizes to the legit sizing.
DeleteMy order will be 3 weeks old this wednesday so hopefully I will get some news soon. I have asked for their FSA handlebar replicas, 3T 100mm stem and an extra rear durailleur hanger and I have a full 2013 Chorus groupset sat waiting to go on with a Selle Itallia SLR Carbonio seat and Look Keo Classics, with Mavic Cosmic SL's all in black to go with the BOB paint scheme. Will be ace!
DeleteSounds like it will be a nice looking bike. I really like the BOB but I have a silver chorus groupset to go on it so not sure if it would look abit daft on a black frame. I was toying with changing the chainset and brakes as teh shifters and derailures are carbon but don't think my Mrs will apreciate me spending even more.
DeleteI am putting on a Veloce mid cage RD to take the 13-29 cassette(need help with the hills).It will look out of sorts with the rest of the centaur stuff so I might try some of that 3D carbon vinyl on the face plate. Worth a shot for like 5 bucks off ebay. Or face it off with real fiber as a little project. They sell them in kits I see Michael did not skimp on anything hehe. I have to keep it real or she will throw me out the house..looool. I ordered the carbon spacers and extra rear derailleur hanger too. I asked Jerry to throw then in for the price so there was no harm in asking.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit lucky as I got the Chorus Groupset at trade. I asked if it was Jerry I was in contact with, he said his name is Eddy...?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt might just kill me. too excited about getting it ordered. decided on the 742 paint and planning on getting some 50mm carbon clinchers with ffwd decals on them. I've sized up the frames and compared them to my existing frame and I think the 49 is for me. my current frame is a 44 compact but effective top tube is 53cm. so thinking the 49 wothe a 2cm longer stem.
ReplyDeleteCome on GreatKeen, give me some good news, the wait is killing me! Icy salted roads here so even when it does arrive the new build will be some time off hitting the UK potholes. But would be nice to have it here so I can do my first build from scratch! Also need to get my old Roland Vinyl cutter working with windows 7 so I can cut some new decals for my Mavics, change from white to grey so keep the BOB theme strong!
ReplyDeleteI think your sizing is off Philip. If you are happy with current set up then I think you should be looking at 530 and use the L1 measurement for the effective top tube. I saw a pic of one small frame(now taken off the forum) and it looked a little odd because it appeared stubby. I think it was a size 46 or 49.The seat post tube width in relation to effective height seemed odd. You can change the steering geometry by also playing with the stem and handlebars dims. I did order and lizard skin clear skin chain protector for the chainstay(my current one has all chips on it.I did go back to the bike shop and ask them what the chips on the chainstay was all about and he said ah that is just chain slap. I thought, thanks!! I also got a little chain dropper that you attach to the front derailleur. http://www.velo-sur-mesure.com/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=6914324 Some people have dropped their chain on the post and apparently shredded them. I dropped a chain a couple of times when I installed my new levers and on alu frames not the end of the world but CF definately a no no! For ten bucks not worth the risk.
ReplyDeleteJerry has given me a new tracking number today so my 742 frame did not go out on the 9th as stated but today the 12th. Not sure what that was about!! I think they are under pressure. He did however send it by air post this time so I will receive it quicker then I imagined so not the end of days!
The problem I have is I'm only 5"6 with a pretty short leg, so I currently have my saddle (measure from centre of bottom brackt to Seat rail) at 64cm so was concerned about saddle height with going for the 51. wouldn't leave me with much seat post to play with so didn't even consider the 53. My current setup is a 44cm seat tube (C-T) with a 53cm (effective) top tube and I ride a 10sm stem. I have another frame which is a 48cm seat tube (c-T) with a 51cm top tube and a 12cm stem, so based my frame size on that.
ReplyDeleteWell I think you are better measuring off existing frames. Here is the link for a 46cm frame. I saved the pic of the forum before the pina police deleted it hehe.
Deletehttp://s1300.beta.photobucket.com/user/Seoige/media/Great%20Keen%20Pina%20Frames/PinaT2-2B.jpg.html
If you compare it to to the 742 photo on the main website it seems to me a little compacted! Better to have the bike fit correctly though. I mentioned earlier that the change in tracking number might have been related to the delay in sending my frame out. Just realised it left Hong Kong today by air mail. It took 3 days to get to HK from the factory. So might get it early net week. As we ordered the same colour scheme, I will upload some photos when I receive the frame for you on photo bucket.
I kind of see what you mean but then I'm used to getting small frames. :-) frame I'm on now looks like a kids frame. Hopefully the 49 will look abit more normal with the extra 3cm. bet you can't wait. pics would be great.
ReplyDeleteOK guys it's finally built...still can't take it home. Check out my next article:
ReplyDeletehttp://mycyclingjournal.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/chinarello-build-part-2-build.html
Oh and also, BB is actually English! My LBS overlooked it.
ReplyDeleteOK guys I've done my initial ride. Check this out:
ReplyDeletehttp://mycyclingjournal.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/chinarello-fake-pinarello-build-and.html
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