Am I mad to buy a Pinarello Prince Carbon?

RSV_Ecosse

I'm a bit of a newcomer to road cycling.

I got my Pinarello FP1 a few months back on the Cyclescheme and I have to admit, the road cycling "bug" has bitten me pretty bad.

I get out on it whenever I can. I find myself getting annoyed when I have a day off and the weather is so crap you can't even step foot outside the door, never mind go for a bike run.

Anyway. Here's the rub.

I own an Aprilia RSV Mille. I've had it for about 5 years. I've been a biker since 1989.

I love my Mille.

However, in the past 12 months, I've used it maybe a dozen times to go from A to B.

It costs less than an unreliable Ducati to run ( lol!!! ) but it's still a huge red paperweight to have sat here doing nothing for the vast majority of 12 months.

I never thought I would see the day, but when we get a nice break in the weather I find myself thinking "Shall I go out for a run on the Mille or on the FP1???".

The FP1 wins pretty much every time. Hence the lack of use of the RSV. The recent weather has certainly not helped.

So........I'm thinking........sell the Mille........and buy something really exotic to replace your two wheeled "fix".

I've always liked the Prince. There are probably loads of other bikes available that are better specced than it, but there's just something about the thing that makes me want to own one.

The missus is glad I'm thinking of selling the Mille and giving up motorbikes but when I told her I planned to spend a fortune on a "pushbike" as she calls it, her jaw hit the floor.

So..........am I nutz or what?. Will it all end in tears??!!!.

I haven't posted this thread with the intent of it being a "bragging" thread, I apologise if it comes across like that.

It's just that if I am finally going to give up motorbikes and move on, I would like something to show for it. And I think a new road bike would be more enjoyable than a new kitchen.

Or so I've told the missus....... :shock:

redddraggon

Hell if you can afford a Prince, why not? Just make sure you get Record/Super Record on it.

Don't listen to any inverse snobbery.

giant_man

Christ you haven't had your FP1 very long have you? If you want it mate go for it!

celestemonkey

hey I'm with you,

been cycling away the last four years on a old Kona hybrid and just loving every mile but it's no longer the right bike for me.
it may be hard to justify to others, and I'm normally pretty conservative with my money, (I have to work far too hard to get it)

but...

have found myself discounting other worthy bikes and have decided on Cervelo RS and Super Record..

might seem overkill for my first proper road bike, but will be used and used well, commuted on in all but the worst weather, long days,holidays away, and cared for and maintained by me, so in my mind a good investment.

little wiser

why not sell the mille and get a different type off bike supermoto? and money saved get another push bike trust me i know love both kinds off bikes but just sold a crosser due to lack off use and put some money towards a road bike on cycle to work scheme was into cycle racing long before motor bikes then motorbikes came along and stayed for years now push bikes are back for me but i know i could not live without a engine lol

Aggieboy

To you and other people who have posted topics along these lines I would say this.
If there are no financial problems involved with your purchase get what your heart desires. I bought my dream bike this year, after two years off cycling due to a bike accident, and haven't regretted one minute of my purchase. Get it now and enjoy your life because, as the motto I live by since my accident states, 'you can't buy time'.

salsarider79

I wouldn't want to use such a nice bike in all weathers, but then if you can afford one, well, I'm not going to tell you what to do. Why not get a cheaper bike, like a CB500 (thats what I want when I pass my test) and you have the best of both....Just a thought

APIII

You're not mad at all, just fortunate to be in that position
Sure, plenty of people will tell you it won't make you any faster, and it won't. But everything about the ride - the feedback from the road, the direct response to your pedalling input, carving through corners like your on rails, etc, etc all make it a great bike to own.
Are you buying the complete bike with the MOST components or custom building?

kingrollo

I skint myself to buy a pinarello surprise - about 7 years ago - its been awesome ! -

RSV_Ecosse

If I do end up going down this route, I will most probably go for a complete bike rather than the custom option I think.

I've still not made my mind up yet though. Just looking at the Mille gets me thinking twice again. 8)

Suppose I will have to jump one way or the other.

markos1963

I did something similar, I was about to go back to motorbikes having owned Gpz900's,CBX1000's,TDM850,LC350's etc and was about to buy a Laverda(Jota) when the realisation set in that I would do less than a thousand miles a year on it. I needed to get fit again but didn't want to go to a gym so going back to road cycling seemed a better option. I bought an Orbea Onix and haven't regretted a minute of it, its way better than my ability but I don't care and if I had the money I would have bought an Orca(may still do so). As others have said, you only live one life so enjoy it to the full. You'll live longer due to fitness and can be smug thinking of all the tax, insurance and petrol money you are saving.

stronginthesun

just shows how ridiculous bike prices are , that new prince will probly cost more than what you sell your mille for ? silly eh ?

Bikerbaboon

stronginthesun wrote:

just shows how ridiculous bike prices are , that new prince will probly cost more than what you sell your mille for ? silly eh ?

people can only sell something for the price that others are willing to pay.

synchronicity

Fellow ex-motorbiker here. I had to sell my prized lil' CBR250RR to be able to start up my business here. I do regret selling it, but bringing it with me wasn't at all practical (no spares + shipping cost). In the end, I had to get my father to sell it. I couldn't bear the thought of watching someone riding off into the distance on my Honda! :x

Anway, what I suppose you're asking is "bicycle or motorbike?".

Well, I used my CBR for commuting to work + uni as I believe it's too dangerous to commute on a bicycle in a city. But it was also used practically every weekend around twisty roads!

What I eventually found out was that when I was into my motorbike phase, it all became too darn easy... all I had to do was turn the throttle and off I went. If I'm truly honest with myself, I actually felt guilty going on weekend rides. I'd think of my body fat percentage, etc, and at times I'd get distracted by that.

I never regret going on a bicycle ride, even if it nearly kills me. If I had to choose between a bicycle and motorbike, I'd choose the bicycle every time.

Don't get me worng, I'm also still a biker at heart, but it just doesn't have the priority at the moment... I'd love to own one where I live now as there isn't a straight road on the island. But that would also make the island feel even smaller than it is. I've had my full biker licence almost 5 years I think!

I've not ridden a prince but I've ridden a few full monocoque frames now... generally what happens when you get your "dream bicycle" is that you're almost too afraid to use it. You want to keep it pristine forever. For example, I used to take my alloy road bike to the beach. I stopped doing that when I got my dream carbon bike. I never leave it out of arm's reach at café stops now.

Also, just ridden my F3:13 for the first proper ride yesterday. It was a hell-stiff kinda ride... it sure has whippety acceleration, but it just beat me up after 3 hours.

Anyway, in your case... Prince vs Mille.

In biker terms, a Pinarello Prince is more like an MV Agusta F4 or Honda NSR 750. Certainly the looks match the performance. But you have to ask yourself: just how practical is it?

And knowing what I know, i.e. that "you always want what you haven't got", how likely will you be itching for a ride after you've sold the Aprillia??? Do you really want to give up being a biker and change your image/identity? Or is it just a case of you've got the [novelty] bug for pedalling?

Meanwhile, it's certainly true that road bikers are a very snobby lot; so if your fitness isn't up to scratch, you'll have to live with other people's reactions (if you even care). Still, remember that deep down other people couldn't give a toss what other people ride. You have to get it for you!

Ultimately I'd say if you plan to improve fitness, then it might be the boost you need. Personally, I wouldn't get a Prince unless I was doing in the vicinity of 300-500km / week.

Do you also intend to keep the FP1?

dennisn

You may or may not be mad for buying one but I know that I'm very mad because I'm
not gettting one.

Dennis Noward

Rich-Ti

Just one thing - be sure you can get a good and comfortable position on a Prince first!

I joked with my LBS about winning the Lotto and buying a Prince - his response was that he wouldn't sell me one as it was too racy and had the wrong geometry for my needs. No point buying your dream bike if you can't get comfortable on it is what I'm getting at.

Just a thought though - you may well be completely fine on one, just bear in mind that they're quite a race-focused bike so will be quite 'head down'! :shock:

My twopenneth? Sell the Mille - you'll still have the memories, and I don't reckon you'd miss it all that much from what you're saying. If the Prince is your dream bike and you can get it to fit you well then why not 8)

Mark Alexander

RSV_Ecosse wrote:

I'm a bit of a newcomer to road cycling.


So........I'm thinking........sell the Mille........and buy something really exotic to replace your two wheeled "fix".

I've always liked the Prince. There are probably loads of other bikes available that are better specced than it, but there's just something about the thing that makes me want to own one.

The missus is glad I'm thinking of selling the Mille and giving up motorbikes but when I told her I planned to spend a fortune on a "pushbike" as she calls it, her jaw hit the floor.

So..........am I nutz or what?. Will it all end in tears??!!!.

Or so I've told the missus....... :shock:

Rule 1, if you have the money spare, and want it buy it. selling the motor will help save some brownie points with the Missus but yes, some tears will probably be shed but it'll be worth it. You'll probably end up spending more than that on kit shorts pumps, shoes, jersey's etc anyway!

Make sure its Campag 8)

fossyant

Why not..... go for it.....

My plans are a fixie for riding to work soon, then a new top of the range road bike in a couple of years - what, I'm not sure - either a 953 custom, or a carbon something - I do like the look of the Wilier Cento 1 or Colnago ....... we don't plan on buying another car, my car is hardly used these days, so really have one 'spare'.... so if I get the cash together, I'm sure I'll get what I want. I do already have 3 bikes, and one is very special...custom built, Dura Ace...but it's 'vintage' now, but is more than enough to keep up with modern kit.

My wife has an expensive hobby - sewing... a £3.5k sewing machine, on top of a couple of other £2k machines...... My bikes are older than her machines...so I need a new one some time....

synchronicity

I tend to agree with Rich-Ti.

I don't want to talk you out of anything... but I've quickly found out that my F3:13 is an extremely stiff ride. Coming half way back down Mt Teide today, it felt like my kidneys were going to shake loose! :shock:

This is not something you can get from test-riding it around the block...

But oh when you want to put the power down it seems like there is no energy loss. :twisted:

Everyone has commented how it's such a beautiful bike, but beneath all those sexy curves, it seems to behave differently than its looks would have you believe. It's very raw. Stiffer even than a Klein bike. I'm not sure I'd want to ride on it 5+ hours.

I've also finding the setup a tad difficult due to the fact that I've got long legs (I just worked that out last night actually) and Pinarellos are reknowned for their relatively long top tubes.

richara3

From a fellow motorcyclist...

Ive got a 2000 Suzuki TL1000R in the garage...its not turned a wheel in a year due to finances ,lack of time and two young kids that have just turned 1 yr and 4 yr old respectively.

Sell the Mille buy a TL R or S they are way cheaper to buy than the mille if you can fight off the urge to mod the thing. You Will get a decent TLS for 1000-1500 and an R for a few hundred more. They will both do 160 +mph and sound fantastic ( its that twin thing) and have as much character as your mille .Ok its not as 'exotic' as the mille but I love mine and hopefully will never sell . You will only miss it when its gone. Remember its been a really wet and crappy year and next year may well be the hot dry summer that we are all hoping for.
As well as still owning a monster twin motorbike you will have change from the sale of the mille to make a good dent in the price of the 'push bike of your dreams'

Just my opinion though...its your choice

Andy.R