{"id":66729,"date":"2024-07-16T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-16T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/d849de4f-aad4-48e4-96c8-91a8dc2ff712"},"modified":"2024-07-16T12:25:29","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T10:25:29","slug":"up-close-with-geraint-thomas-pinarello-dogma-f-how-the-2018-tour-de-france-champion-has-eked-out-extra-watts","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/up-close-with-geraint-thomas-pinarello-dogma-f-how-the-2018-tour-de-france-champion-has-eked-out-extra-watts\/","title":{"rendered":"Up-close with Geraint Thomas\u2019 Pinarello Dogma F | How the 2018 Tour de France champion has eked out extra watts"},"content":{"rendered":"

The veteran Welshman\u2019s latest all-round Italian thoroughbred under the microscope <\/p>

By Ashley Quinlan\n <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 16 July 2024 at 10:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Having secured another podium spot at the Giro d\u2019Italia earlier this year, Geraint Thomas is riding the 2024 Tour de France as more of a domestique for Ineos Grenadiers.<\/p>

While the former yellow jersey winner<\/a> may not quite be the force he once was, his longevity continues to impress \u2013 the Welshman has now ridden more than 250 stages at the Tour de France<\/a>.<\/p>

As a veteran of the peloton, then, you might think Thomas wouldn\u2019t be on the cutting edge in terms of bike setup and tech \u2013 but think again.<\/p>

We got up close and personal with his new Pinarello Dogma F<\/a> at the Grand Depart in Florence.<\/p>

Though it may look similar to the Dogma F we saw ahead of the 2022 Tour de France<\/a>, there have been plenty of interesting changes \u2013 if you know where to look.<\/p>

New Dogma\u2026 same as the old Dogma?<\/h2>
The latest Dogma F sees a few tweaks to aid aerodynamics, including this deepened head tube. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
It might look very similar to the 2021 Dogma F<\/a>, but this latest version features a number of small changes designed to keep it competitive with the pack.<\/p>
The all-rounder racing bike has seen subtle tweaks to its aerodynamics, with a claimed reduction of 0.2 per cent to its overall Cda (drag coefficient multiplied by area) compared to its predecessor.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
The dropouts are now totally shrouded, which enables the brand to use smaller thru-axles. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The key changes are the slimmed down head tube with a deeper trailing edge, slimmed fork legs, a deepened \u2018Aero-Keel\u2019 bottom bracket zone and cleaner shrouded dropouts.<\/p>
The \u2018Aero-Keel\u2019 bottom bracket is perhaps the most noticeable change, when viewed from the non-driveside. It sees the bottom bracket extend forward towards the front wheel, with the increased surface area claimed to help smooth the airflow off the front wheel and improve pedalling stiffness.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
The Aero-Keel design is said to help channel airflow more effectively. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Under the skin, the frame\u2019s carbon layup has also been reworked. The frameset features new Toray M40X carbon fibre<\/a> \u2013 said to be higher-modulus than the old Torayca T1110 1K used previously \u2013 in strategic areas to improve stiffness.<\/p>
Pinarello says this carbon fibre was used previously on its special-edition X-Light framesets<\/a>, which employed higher-modulus carbon to achieve a lower weight than would otherwise be possible.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
The M40X carbon has been used on Pinarello’s previous X-Light frames. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Yet while its X-Light framesets typically carried a weight limit of 85kg, the new Dogma F is rated for up to 120kg.<\/p>
The MOST Talon Ultra Fast integrated handlebar has also been updated.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
The new handlebar is similar in shape, but contributes to the bike’s lower weight. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
There’s more on Thomas\u2019 specific choice to come, but it\u2019s said to save 40g alone, contributing to the 108g total claimed saving across the frameset (incorporating the frame, fork, seatpost and handlebar as a system on a size-53 bike).<\/p>
The frame itself is only responsible for 5g of weight saving, according to Pinarello.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
The new bike also sees a new seatpost clamp design. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
However, the Italian brand is clear that it deliberately focused on improving the frameset\u2019s aerodynamic efficiency instead of attempting to make it lighter, because its research indicated doing so offers greater performance benefits for its pro riders.<\/p>
Tyre clearance has also been increased to a claimed 30mm. That’s not as wide as on Jonas Vingegaard\u2019s Cerv\u00e9lo R5<\/a>, which can accommodate tyres up to 34mm wide, for example \u2013 but more than enough to fit the 700x28c Continental GP5000 S TR tyres Thomas is running.<\/p>
What has Geraint been fettling with?<\/h2>
$\"Geraint$
Even Thomas has gone narrow in the search for optimum performance. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
With much of the peloton now adopting narrower handlebars<\/a> in a bid to improve aerodynamics, the multiple Olympic track cycling<\/a> champion has done the same.<\/p>
At this year\u2019s Tour, we measured Thomas\u2019 MOST Talon Ultra Fast handlebar at 35cm across (centre-to-centre at the brake hoods), 3cm narrower than the 38cm bar we saw Thomas with two years ago.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
The long stem compensates for the undersized frame. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
In theory, this should reduce Thomas\u2019 frontal area, saving vital watts as the race unfolds.<\/p>
The drops on the new MOST handlebar are also flared out by 7 degrees, for improved control when descending or sprinting.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
One of the most sensitive parts of a bike to change, Thomas has recently switched to this Prologo saddle. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A lengthy 130mm stem ensures he\u2019s getting the reach he wants, without having to size up to what might be considered his natural frame size (in time-honoured pro tradition).\u00a0<\/p>
His saddle has also changed \u2013 Thomas was one of the last remaining riders sporting a Fizik Arione perch in 2022, but he has since changed to a 137mm-wide Prologo Nago R4 PAS saddle.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
A 3D-printed titanium seatpost clamp shaves weight. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Such a switch is often driven by the rider (given saddle comfort is so subjective, it\u2019s not uncommon to see blacked-out seats from non-sponsored brands), but Thomas appears happy with the Nago following the team\u2019s partnership with the brand as official saddle supplier.<\/p>
The team\u2019s mechanics have no excuse for getting the saddle position wrong though, given they\u2019ve marked the saddle clamping points down.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
The underside of the saddle features a transponder holster (the transponder transmits limited ride data to the waiting media). Nice cable tie action, too. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
As on the previous Dogma F, the new version gets a cool (and expensive) 3D-printed titanium saddle clamp to help keep weight low.<\/p>
We think it\u2019s a minor shame that the new bike has dropped any recognition of Thomas\u2019 previous yellow jersey<\/a> win, though. His 2022 bike featured a little yellow stripe on the seat tube in acknowledgment.<\/p>
Full Shimano Dura-Ace\u2026 of course<\/h2>
$\"Geraint$
No prizes for guessing the drivetrain. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Because the Ineos Grenadiers team is sponsored by Shimano, it\u2019s no surprise to see Thomas is using the Japanese brand\u2019s flagship Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 groupset<\/a>.<\/p>
Like many in the peloton, he\u2019s opted for a 54\/40-tooth crankset, complete with Shimano\u2019s FC-R9200-P power meter<\/a>. Hidden neatly behind the inner ring is a chain catcher with an integrated cadence magnet (which is required by Shimano\u2019s power meter).<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
A 54\/40T crankset was chosen at the Grand Depart in Florence. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
An 11-34t cassette featured when we got our hands on the bike at the Grand Depart in Florence, but that comes as no surprise given the hilly nature of the opening stages.<\/p>
It\u2019s possible Thomas will be switching to the alternative 11-30t cassette for the flat stages.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
Hilly stages mean more range is needed \u2013 Thomas had an 11-34t cassette fitted. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Shimano also provides its Dura-Ace C50 carbon wheels, which are fitted with the aforementioned GP5000 S TR tyres.<\/p>
Notably, Thomas is using a set of special-edition \u2018stealth\u2019 tyres that Continental released to celebrate its association with the race (the German tyre brand is a key partner of the event and a sponsor of many WorldTour teams<\/a>).<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
The Continental GP5000 S TR tyres have limited-edition stealth graphics. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Quite why a brand would opt to make a special-edition tyre that’s less conspicuous than the standard version for such an important race (the Tour is often described at the sport\u2019s shop window) is somewhat difficult to understand. However, given we\u2019ve highlighted it, perhaps Continental has achieved its aims.<\/p>
These tyres measured 30.2mm wide on the rims, maximising the claimed clearance in the frameset while leaving a little room left over.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
For lots of stages, Thomas’ default wheelset has been the Shimano Dura-Ace C50. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
As he and his teammates often do, Thomas has also been using wheels from Princeton CarbonWorks on select stages.<\/p>
Thomas used the lightweight Alta 3532 wheelset on stage 11, for example, and the Mach 7580 TSV2 tri-spoke front wheel<\/a> and Blur 633 V3 disc wheel during the time trial on stage 7.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
This neat, as-yet unannounced 3D-printed, Garmin mount features. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Up front, Thomas is using a new MOST 3D-printed computer mount to fasten his Garmin Edge 840 Solar<\/a> device.<\/p>
Although Pinarello hasn\u2019t offered any details on it, it appears to be designed to smooth the airflow over the underside of the bike computer<\/a>, likely for a small additional aerodynamic improvement.<\/p>
$\"Geraint$
This looks as though it might smooth airflow a little and potentially offer greater security. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The team told us the bike weighs 7.2kg (without bottles), although wouldn\u2019t allow us to verify this by putting it on our own Scales of Truth.\u00a0<\/p>
A last hurrah for Thomas?<\/h2>
$\"Geraint$
Despite the changes, the Pinarello Dogma F doesn’t look much different. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
With the Welshman set to retire at the end of 2025, this could be one of the last times we see Geraint Thomas at the Tour.<\/p>
His team leader, Carlos Rodr\u00edguez, sits sixth overall, 4mis 40secs behind race leader Tadej Poga\u010dar, so the yellow jersey looks out of reach for the British team.<\/p>
Might Thomas be afforded some opportunities to sneak away for a shot at\u00a0a stage win at this year\u2019s race? We certainly hope so.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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