The design of time trial bikes has become increasingly sophisticated in the past few years; manufacturers spend countless hours running computational fluid dynamics simulations and tests at the wind tunnel to eke out every last drag-saving design feature possible. These processes lead to long development times. Because of all the required work, Â it was a big surprise when Pinarello launched two different time trial designs, the Bolide and Sibilo, within a month of each other earlier this summer.
When asked why the company made two different designs, Romeo Andretta, president of Uno Imports (Pinarello’s Canadian distributor), explained, “Pinarello is partnered with two pro teams, Sky and Movistar, and work closely with both of them. Both teams requested new time trial bikes. Each team has its own unique design requirements and ideas, so we made two separate bikes to satisfy everyone’s needs.” Andretta also said the two teams did not want to share design ideas for fear of losing a competitive advantage, furthering the need for two different bikes.
Accordingly, the prototype of Team Sky’s Bolide was sized for Bradley Wiggins, while the first model of Movistar’s Sibilo was sized for Alejandro Valverde. All other sizes were developed after. With the need to confirm to UCI rules, the two models are outwardly similar, but the devil is in the details, as the saying goes. Canadian Cycling takes a closer look at Pinarello’s two weapons in the race of truth.