Pinarello Gavia *better pics added ;-)*

[john]

Here is the latest addition to the fleet on the road side, what I believe to be an early 90s Pinarello Gavia made from Columbus TSX tubing (if anyone can confirm date and model that’d be great ;-) ). TSX is like SLX but ‘one louder’, from memory the difference is the splined internal butting stretches the entire length of the tube thus making for a 20g per frame saving.

Pinarello Gavia

The bike was bought from Dapanico in Italy (arrived in super quick time, thanks!) It was sold to me as a slightly tired looking Treviso as can be seen in the pics. Took a bit of a punt on it but I think it’s paid off.

As sold with incorrect decals

This is very much an initial build with what I had around in order to put a few miles on the frame before deciding on its ultimate future. As can be seen the paint isn’t in too bad a shape, sadly the decals have peeled from under the lacquer which might be hard to effectively remedy without a spray. Also the fork chrome is quite patchy in places.

Fork and headset detail

Pinarello Treviso

Groupset wise I have committed the ultimate sin – newer shimano 7700 series dura ace with STIs on an older Italian frame. I feel a bit dirty having done this but judge me as you will ;-) That said it all works spot on and I’ve not got the resources to be tracking down a full C-Record/Record gruppo just now.

The remaining components feature hope hubs onto cxp33, pro race 2 tyres, grammo stem and eubios bars. Have a nice looking panto’d 1R stem which would look good but is missing parts.

Grammo stem and ergonomic eubios bars

Distinctive Gavia seatstay cluster

Not had chance to properly ride it yet, will report back when I’ve done a few miles. After which point I'll stick some bar tape on.

 

[ededwards]

Re: Pinarello Gavia

This is very much an initial build with what I had around in order to put a few miles on the frame before deciding on its ultimate future.

A really tidy looking frame and forks but why not have just stuck with the Dura Ace 8 speed it came with?

Groupset wise I have committed the ultimate sin – newer shimano 7700 series dura ace with STIs on an older Italian frame. I feel a bit dirty having done this but judge me as you will ;-) That said it all works spot on and I’ve not got the resources to be tracking down a full C-Record/Record gruppo just now.

Ultimate sin indeed, grubby boy :twisted: - consider yourself judged and found wanting!

 

[john]

Re: Pinarello Gavia

This is very much an initial build with what I had around in order to put a few miles on the frame before deciding on its ultimate future.

A really tidy looking frame and forks but why not have just stuck with the Dura Ace 8 speed it came with?

Good point, I perhaps should've. Had vaguely planned to move it on, you never know I may still do so

Groupset wise I have committed the ultimate sin – newer shimano 7700 series dura ace with STIs on an older Italian frame. I feel a bit dirty having done this but judge me as you will ;-) That said it all works spot on and I’ve not got the resources to be tracking down a full C-Record/Record gruppo just now.

Ultimate sin indeed, grubby boy :twisted: - consider yourself judged and found wanting!

Had you asked me a few weeks back what my thoughts were on the 'Big S' on anything European I'd have said in the whole it was wrong. Recently seen a few nice builds with shimano on Italian and other Euro frames (inc your Merckx) which has changed my opinion somewhat. Sooner see a colnago (or whatever) with a clean DA gruppo rather than a mishmashed campag one....


New pics done too

 

[richardf]

Very nice John - looks very tidy

hope to see you out on it soon

 

[john]

Very nice John - looks very tidy

hope to see you out on it soon

Rich. Cheers.

I very much doubt I'll be out on a Sunday on this anytime soon, I need every advantage I can

 

[ededwards]

Re: Pinarello Gavia

Groupset wise I have committed the ultimate sin – newer shimano 7700 series dura ace with STIs on an older Italian frame. I feel a bit dirty having done this but judge me as you will ;-) That said it all works spot on and I’ve not got the resources to be tracking down a full C-Record/Record gruppo just now.

Ultimate sin indeed, grubby boy :twisted: - consider yourself judged and found wanting!

Had you asked me a few weeks back what my thoughts were on the 'Big S' on anything European I'd have said in the whole it was wrong. Recently seen a few nice builds with shimano on Italian and other Euro frames (inc your Merckx) which has changed my opinion somewhat. Sooner see a colnago (or whatever) with a clean DA gruppo rather than a mishmashed campag one....

Fair point regarding Shimano on European frames although I'd say that Dura Ace 7400 era or earlier is as far as I'd go (as a sideline, would a Suntour Superbe Pro groupset 'fit' on a European frame as I've always thought it a very classy looking groupset).

And further good point re. groupset v mishmash. However I'd view the latter as carefully selecting the parts from whatever source to be most effective - down with groupset tyranny and the facism of compatability I say. An alternative view would be that I'm too mean/impatient to source complete groupsets.

Shoddy attempt at banter aside, the new photos do highlight a really handsome frame that, regardless of components, needs to be ridden and enjoyed. Top score I'd say.

 

[Elev12k]

Interesting

They do grab my attention recently, but honestly I do not know very much of Pinarello, except for they raced with many champions to victory. How does it ride? Should I be looking for one and if so, why?

 

[john]

Re: Pinarello Gavia

Fair point regarding Shimano on European frames although I'd say that Dura Ace 7400 era or earlier is as far as I'd go (as a sideline, would a Suntour Superbe Pro groupset 'fit' on a European frame as I've always thought it a very classy looking groupset).

And further good point re. groupset v mishmash. However I'd view the latter as carefully selecting the parts from whatever source to be most effective - down with groupset tyranny and the facism of compatability I say. An alternative view would be that I'm too mean/impatient to source complete groupsets.

Shoddy attempt at banter aside, the new photos do highlight a really handsome frame that, regardless of components, needs to be ridden and enjoyed. Top score I'd say.

I can see both points of view regarding gruppos. Personally on a road bike I like it to match - neater that way. Obvious exception is nuovo/super record.

Thanks for props on the frame

 

[john]

Interesting

They do grab my attention recently, but honestly I do not know very much of Pinarello, except for they raced with many champions to victory. How does it ride? Should I be looking for one and if so, why?

The pedigree is there for sure, the frame is nicely put together with some great details you'd expect from a top end Italian road frame.

Initial impressions are good. It rides much like the merckx which is a good thing - angles and tube sets are similar. Will put some miles on it and report back properly

Should you get one? Probably.