Pinarello Dogma K8-S includes 'game-changing' suspension system
Tuesday 21 April 2015 16:50, UK
Team Sky have unveiled a “game-changing” new bike ahead of their bid to win the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix over the next two weekends.
The Pinarello Dogma K8-S boasts a “world-first” lightweight suspension system and a flexible frame that together combine to allow the back of the bike to pivot when it is ridden over rough terrain, particularly the cobbles of the spring classics.
Testing has shown that it will increase comfort by 50 per cent and boost performance by 4.6 per cent over the previous model used by Team Sky, the Dogma K.
The bike is the result of a joint-collaboration between Team Sky, manufacturer Pinarello and team sponsor Jaguar and will be used for the first time at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday and then again at Paris-Roubaix on April 12.
Sir Bradley Wiggins said: “From the moment you get on it, you realise the difference straight away, especially on the cobbles.
“I have never ridden anything like it on cobbles before, which is the most extreme terrain you can ride a bike on. The way it feels, its aerodynamics, stiffness and improved flex in the rear, is game-changing for cycling.
“This is the first time anyone has gone out there, looked at the demands of the cobbles and made a bike specifically for that job. It was really noticeable in testing between the guys on the K8-S to the others that weren’t. It gives us lots of confidence and a huge advantage on the cobbles.”
The new bike has been in development for several months and was tested by Wiggins and team-mate Christian Knees on the cobbled roads of Paris-Roubaix in March.
Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: “We have been able to knit together Pinarello's world-class knowledge in bike design and Jaguar's industry-leading technological and engineering expertise, with a proven winning team of riders and experts in human performance, to come up with something truly ground-breaking.
“The classics have been a big goal for us this season and with Ian Stannard’s win at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Geraint’s win at E3, we have had a great start. Anything can happen in these races, which makes them so exciting, but this bike will give us the best possible chance of continuing our success.”
