Can the Dogma expand on its racing pedigree?

Joe Baker heads to Italy for a first look at Pinarello's new X-rated endurance bike

- Joe Baker

The Pinarello Dogma could be the most successful road bike ever launched. With multiple Grand Tour victories under its wheels the bike has changed little since the F8 version was launched in 2014. Its racing pedigree is unrivalled, so how does the Italian marque use the Dogma brand recognition to attract a wider audience? By sticking an X on the name and adding bags of tyre clearance, that’s how. The Dogma X brings the endurance line-up into the modern era, with clearance for 35mm tyres and seat stay vibration damping technology, but with geometry derived from the Dogma F, it’s designed to deliver great handling and bags of comfort.

Pinarello is streamlining its product line-up, with everything under the ‘F’ label being performance-focused, and everything under the X label endurance-focused. Alongside the new Dogma X, Pinarello has also launched the X5, X7, and X9 all with similar seat stay technology and relaxed geometry but at lower price points.

The striking difference between the Dogma F and the new X is the seat stays. Trek Domane has ISO Speed, Specialized has Future Shock, now Pinarello has X-Stays – but what exactly are they, and how do they work? While they clearly get their name from the crossed pattern at the seat stay/seat tube junction, the technology itself actually extends further down the frame.