This iconic cycling brand has long been synonymous with innovation, quality, and success in the world of professional and amateur road cycling. Established in 1952 by Giovanni Pinarello in Treviso, Italy, the company has become a household name among cycling enthusiasts, known for producing some of the most advanced and desirable bicycles on the market.
The Pinarello factory is more than a production facility; it's a cyclist's sweet haven where art is made. It serves as a sanctuary where human passion intertwines with engineering prowess and aesthetics, bringing to fruition something that is truly extraordinary.
The Art of Balance, where precision lies in every single step of the production process.
Renowned for its high-quality bicycle frames, Pinarello follows a meticulous and precise production process to create frames that are not only technologically advanced but also aesthetically pleasing to all. The factory has an efficient team of workers each dedicated to their specific craft, each which hold pivotal roles in bringing a Pinarello frame to life.
The creation a Pinarello frame involves a series of intricate and carefully orchestrated steps:
Resurfacing and Preparation
Here, the frame and other components are meticulously inspected and the surfaces are being finished. This is the preparation stage before anything else. The bare matte carbon frame is fully cleaned, sanded down, and then varnished with a clear coat. After varnishing, the frame is surface finished by hand and then smoothed and polished ready for painting. Each step is done by hand until the frames go into the furnace.
Masking
The masking process involves carefully taping parts of each Pinarello frame to hide parts of the frame that are not intended to be painted. Frames are all meticulously taped by hand and subsequently undergo a specialized painting process for each distinct color.
Whilst being guided through each corner of the factory, you will pass frames in the midst of being created for some of cycling's most renown names, including Pidcock, Kwiakowski, and Ganna to name a few. So many moving parts take place in the factory yet each worker is intensely focused on their craft. Whether applying labels or through each paint stroke, full attention and true ease is involved to completion.
Painting & Assembly
The tour continued as we ventured into the painting and assembly areas, where we witnessed the meticulous and detailed process that brought these magnificent machines on wheels to life. We were pleasantly surprised to discover the multitude of manual processes involved, including the application of the symbolic decals on each Pinarello frame put on by hand.
Spectators watched in awe each step of the assembly process of a new Pinarello bike and had the opportunity to speak with some of the designers and workers in the factory who were long term employees of Pinarello. Although the conversation was brief, each encounter with a worker highlighted their true passion and dedication to their craft, a sense of pride and commitment in what they were creating. Undoubtedly, every single step of the bicycle production process was met with intense devotion and dedicated work to create a piece of art.
Pinarello is an iconic cycling brand that has left an indelible mark on the world of cycling. Through a combination of the highest level of technological innovation, successful partnerships with top-level teams, and a commitment to crafting the top bikes in the world, Pinarelo has solidified its status as a symbol of excellence in the world of cycling. Whether a professional racer or dedicated and avid cyclist, a Pinarello bike represents a blend of performance, beauty, and Italian craftsmanship that is truly iconic in the cycling world. A bicycle brand that goes unnoticed and one which will exist as a legacy maker in the world of cycling.
