Get an early look at the 2019 Pinarello Prince; a return to a historic nameplate from the venerable Italian bike company. Stepping forward into the line-up behind the Dogma series bikes, the new Prince models will share more of the Dogma technology, design, and performance than the GAN series. Here you can have a look at the Prince Disk Ultegra R8050 Di2 Bicycle, which is not available for sale at this time, but will be soon!

For 2019 Pinarello brings back the Prince nameplate to the road bike line-up with models optimized with details and material that best match the intended use of each bike, all drawing more from the advances of the Dogma F8 than the GAN series bikes, which the Prince options leapfrog in the line-up. For example, the more race oriented Prince FX features a more aggressive riding package and T900 carbon fiber. The mileage and versatility oriented Prince Disk moves to thru-axles, flat mount disc mounts, and T700 carbon fiber, which is slightly heavier, has an evolved strength rating for greater safety, but also offers a more forgiving ride. Pinarello has also introduced new and vibrant colorways with the Prince series, which quickly serve to differentiate with other models.

There are a also few notable Dogma F10 technologies in the Prince Disk. First, you will notice the more aero Fork Flap design on the Onda Prince Disk 1⅛-1½", tapered fork, which has proven to clean up the airflow around the dropouts. The Prince also has the TwinForce seatpost clamp used on the Dogma F8/F10series bikes, as well as the Think2 cable management system with the new E-Link™ port in the downtube for integrated battery charging. There are also influences direct from the Dogma F8 that aren't visual, but are found in the details of the full frameset's asymmetrically engineered carbon lay-up. These enhancements truly set the Prince above the GAN series bikes, which used a more simplified version of the Dogma F8 design.

Besides the updated Think2 System with E-Link, the Prince also has other new features, such as the 3XAir™ option for seattube bottle cage mounting with two positions available for better aerodynamics. The tubeset and seatpost shapes themselves are the more aero FlatBack design, and the downtube works to shroud bottle cage placements from passing airflow. The shapes also contribute to the overall torsional rigidity of the design, using the asymmetric engineering principles to offset the power transfer requirements of the right side drivetrain. This concept, carried through from the front fork dropouts, back through the frameset to the rear wheel dropouts, ensures that drivetrain efficiency is maximized directly through the rear hub. There is very little loss of energy from lateral flex, which also improves the overall ride quality in terms of handling, steering precision, and stability. The Prince Disk becomes a worthy heir to the Dogma F10 monarch.

This Prince Disk bicycle is perfectly matched with 2nd generation 11-speed Ultegra R8050 Di2 and R8000 components. The E-tube Di2 system is fully modular, easy to service, diagnose, set-up, and charge. Obviously the front and rear derailleurs are the R8050 Di2 options, both optimized for the R8000 physical drivetrain. The FD mates perfectly with the new offset of the chainrings, as well as offering great clearance for framesets with larger tires. The RD features the MTB inspired Shadow design and new linkage system. An internal seatpost battery is used, and the control and charge is set-up via the E-Link insert in the downtube. All routing is internal, clean, simple, and accessible. With R8050 Shimano introduced their first combination of Di2 with a full Ultegra-level hydraulic disc brake system. The R8050 Di2/hydraulic dual control levers are sleeker, with a new pivot point for the brake lever, and easy-to-service with access to the mineral oil hydraulic system. The R8070 road brake flat mount calipers are lighter, with cleaner routing and mounting, and optimized for the power and feel required for road disc braking with the Center Lock RT-81 160mm IceTech disc rotors.

The 50-34T R8000 crankset, Italian thread external bottom bracket cups, chain and 11-28 cassette round out the physical drivetrain, which delivers exceptional mechanical precision and consistency, as well as durability, that works so beautifully with the performance requirements of Di2. This is most impressively seen in the stiffness and machining of the large chainring, which must not only withstand the impressive shifting power that enables the Di2 front derailleur execute perfect shifts under any load or chainring combination, but also must run smoothly, quietly, and ensure proper chain retention.

Pinarello uses their MOst brand kit items in this build. See the simple yet comfortable shaping of the Jaguar XA aluminum handlebar, the stiffness and aero properties of the forged aluminum Tiger Aero stem, and the fantastic grip and feel of the synthetic bar tape. The FlatBack aero seatpost is considered part of the frameset, and it carries the popular and versatile fit of the Fizik Antares R7 saddle. A long-term relationship with Fulcrum brings the Prince a 622x17c ERTO Racing 0055 CL Disc Wheelset, which features the smooth ride and performance of steel spokes and stout rim profile that serves the 17mm internal rim width well, as the 700x25 Vittoria Zaffiro Pro tires can easily handle dirt country road transitions and rough pavement found virtually everywhere.

In short, the 2019 Prince Disk Ultegra R8050 Di2 Bicycle essentially has about as balanced a build and specification sheet as possible. For those with strong sense of Pinarello's history, the nameplate will be both welcome and nostalgic, but this is a complete bike that reflects the needs and desires of cyclists today- and tomorrow, and shows how the company truly taps into their experiences with Team Sky and professional cycling to offer premium engineering and design from the Dogma series as well as high-grade materials in a bike that is attainable and eminently rideable by a greater percentage of cyclists today. Combine that with the usual distinctive and detailed Pinarello graphics and finish, and royalty everywhere should take note.