The Pinarello Dogma F8 has not been without its critics. There has been a lot of hype around its launch (for example, The Telegraph reviewer asked: "Has the Pinarello Dogma F8 replaced the Porsche 911 as the middle-aged man's 'widow maker' of choice?"). Bike forums have been alive with excitable posters complaining that the £12,000 price tag (including wheels and electronic shifting) is ridiculous.
But with the Dogma range of Pinarellos having such success during the 2013 season - powering Chris Froome to Tour de France victory being the highlight but with more than 100 Pro Tour races to its name - they are undoubtedly the pro-level bike that is most known by the general public.
The F8 takes over from the Pinarello Dogma 65.1 and claims to be 12% more stiff, 16% more balance, 120 grams lighter and 47% more aerodynamic than its predecessor. Pinarello has worked with Team Sky and Jaguar, the car manufacturer, to improve the Dogma's performance, using the same win tunnels that Jaguar use for car design to improve their bikes.
As company boss Fausto Pinarello is quoted as saying: "DOGMA F8 achieves new significant numerical data, but more importantly, maintains the unique driving feeling, which made previous Pinarello Dogma bikes unbeatable. Whoever rides the new F8 DOGMA, will immediately perceive the extraordinary work done by our team, in creating a streamlined and aerodynamic bike without losing the typical characteristics of DOGMA: a powerful and responsive bike for every track."
If you can swallow the Pinarello marketing nonsense - "The eighth generation of DOGMA creates a play of words that can become a perfect advertising slogan: The Eighth Dogma ... the eighth wonder of the world" - and just look at the bike then it is easier to give a subjective view of the bike.
I had the chance to ride the Dogma F8 at Eurobike. There were plenty of people waiting for a test ride so I was forced to ride a 54cm frame (I would have preferred a 56cm) on which I could not adjust the seat post because the bolt had snapped while it was being adjusted and no-one could change the seat height.
With only 12km of riding and very little climbing, I didn't have a lot of time to make a judgement. But the F8 does undoubtedly ride beautifully. It instantly felt fast and responsive without being twitchy on the front, which can be a problem with pro level bikes being ridden by less than pro riders.
It looks good too. Not stunningly beautiful but it's black - the right colour for a bike in my opinion - and the aerodynamic Onda fork just adds to the sleek impression.
Of the bikes I rode at Eurobike it was my second favourite, marginally behind the Colnago C60. I guess it is like trying to choose between a Ferrari and a Maserati and a lot of the really top end bikes is about what feels right for your personally. If someone handed me a Dogma F8 I'd be extraordinarily happy but I doubt I could ever justify the marginal gains I would have for the £12,000 price tag to shell out for one myself.
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