Pinarello MOST Components -upgrade?

macerello

I have an FP2 with the usual array of MOST components (cranks, calipers, stem, bars & seat post), the rest is 105. I like the bike and its still better than me so I'm not looking for a complete upgrade. I understand the cranks are just re-badged FSA and they seem good so no problems there, but I'd appreciate some advice about the rest of the stuff. I feel like the brakes could be better; would I see any improvements if I switched them to 105 calipers to match the levers? What about the bars, stem and seat post? Are they generally regarded as pretty poor/heavy.

I haven't had much opportunity to try other bikes, so it's difficult to compare. Any thoughts on MOST components?

Thanks in advance.

Mark

ugo.santalucia

People should really start to realise that stems and bars are all the same in terms of performance. Size matters, brand doesn't. They are tubes, how much performance can you expect from a pipe?

macerello

Thanks Ugo, with the greatest respect, please don't assume I'm an idiot. I'm not bothered about brand, but I did wonder if the MOST stuff was just cheap tat underneath a nice paint job. There must be some performance difference between 'pipes' or we'd all be riding single gauge steel frames. Performance comes from design; you cant say that all frames of the same size ride the same. I don't expect to go faster with new bars, but may benefit from a different profile. The calipers where perhaps my biggest concern. I just wanted to know if anyone had upgraded their MOST components and noticed a difference. I don't have cash to throw around so I'm not looking to upgrade for the hell of it.

Froomes Edgar

Mother of Christ

ugo.santalucia

My experience is that I have never noticed any difference whatsoever in a seatpost. I have tried carbon, alloy and even steel ones. They are all the same and the weight is very similar. Some have annoying clamps and that can be irritating. As for the bars, unless you are looking for some specific shapes, again they all do the same thing in the same way. Some curves I like, others I don't like, it is personal, difficult to give advice there. Weight is very similar for all bars, from the 1970s onwards bars weigh a bit under 300 grams.
Calipers? No idea how bad yours are. Most calipers have the same design and perform in the same way, provided they are fitted with decent pads... That said, it is probably worth getting a set of 105 which are good, they won't cost the earth and if they are any better is money well spent.

Monty Dog

In terms of upgrades, apart from comfort, wheels is where you get most benefit. MOST is Pinarello's in-house brand for components - the price and quality will vary considerably from a base level bike to top-end stuff, so it depends on things like weight and finish. The stuff will be sourced from the far east from the same people who make own-brand parts, even FSA, and are often the way a bike makes saves cost but the compromise is often weight, finish and functionality. Swapping to 105 brakes is probably a good idea, but less sure about the other unless losing big chunks of weight.

ju5t1n

Wheels and tyres will make a difference

soslow

HI
I have a FP2 as well, upgrade the pads on the calipers and that will transform them. I have done this and they stop much better. I changed the wheels to planet x model b with scwalbe ultremos and this was the biggest gain in improving the bike. I have gone carbon on stem seatpost and handlebars but that because I wanted to, not for performance or improved rideabilty. I have also fitted red anodised bottle cage bolts.......now that REALLY made a difference

smidsy

soslow wrote:

HI
I have also fitted red anodised bottle cage bolts.......now that REALLY made a difference

It certainly will when you come to undo them after a couple of winters. :shock:

soslow

Winter?! Its all tucked up in its onesey waiting for spring