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.
Those two little screws are used to secure Shimano’s internal battery hidden in the down tube. Photo credit: Andre CheukA small cut-out on the down tube smooths airflow coming off of the front wheel. Photo credit: Andre CheukSince the head tube is one of first parts to hit the wind, this area received a lot of design attention. Integrated brake and cover, in-line stem and bar, down tube shaped to match the fork crown—all these features serve to smooth turbulent air flow. Photo credit: Andre CheukSky and Pinarello designed these custom minimalist brake levers with Di2 switches for slightly improved aerodynamics, typifying Sky’s “marginal gains” approach. The base bar is also a custom design specific to the Bolide, and will not take a standard brake lever. Photo credit: Andre CheukThe Bolide presents a clean and minimal profile to the wind. Of special note is the skinny head tube and the thin fork blades that bow away from the wheel, intended to reduce interference drag with the wheel. Photo credit: Andre CheukThe Sibilo was designed to Alejandro Valverde’s fit. He used the machine for a good showing in Stage 11 of this year’s Tour, finishing ahead of many other GC contenders. Photo credit: Andre CheukIn contrast to the Bolide, the Sibilo features a blunter head tube with thicker fork blades that hew close to the wheel. Photo credit: Andre CheukThe Sibilo uses a similar front-brake design with a cover as the Bolide. Photo credit: Andre CheukThe Sibilo has a similar front-end arrangement to the Bolide, but features a bigger down tube cut-out, and less shaping at the down-tube and fork-crown juncture. Photo credit: Andre CheukThe hatch secured by two screws is designed to house an internal battery, Shimano or Campagnolo, that is rumoured to be in development. Photo credit: Andre CheukPinarello placed the rear brake under the bottom bracket for the Sibilo, another difference from the Team Sky Bolide. Photo credit: Andre CheukUnlike the Bolide, the Sibilo’s bull-horn bar is of a conventional design, and designed to take a variety of brake levers, including the Campagnolo EPS units use by Movistar. Photo credit: Andre Cheuk
