2018 PINARELLO GAN DISK 105 BIKE

The Pinarello GAN is, at its root, a Dogma F8. That’s where Pinarello derived the shapes you see deployed for the GAN. Where the GAN departs is with the carbon-fiber ply mix and the geometry. There are both rim-brake and disc-brake versions of the GAN, meaning you can pick your preference and still get the same great ride.

Pinarello started with the Dogma when designing the GAN. This one takes the basic shaping and geometry of the F8 and builds it with Torayca T600 Carbon Fiber. In terms of shaping, the asymmetries are a bit less extreme, which makes it easier to build. The lower-modulus mix is more durable. But to get to the same stiffness, Pinarello needed more material. The resulting generous cost savings means a little added weight.

The F8 shaping principles you can see everywhere you look. You can see it in the extended head tube, the way the fork crown nestles in a notch in the down tube, the aero fork legs, the FlatBack down and seat tubes and the shorter, lower seat stays. The shaping also owes to the need to make the bike stiff and comfortable. A problem with traditional airfoil tube shaping is that they make a bike vertically stiff and laterally compliant, the reverse of what people need. By shortening the front to rear profile of the down and seat tubes, which Pinarello calls FlatBack profile, they still have vertical give. And by cutting the tubes off at their wide point, there is still plenty of lateral stiffness to fight pedal forces. And this is before we get into Pinarello’s traditional asymmetric tube designs, where they have already built in resisting pedaling forces.

The geometry is similar to the F8.  There are fourteen sizes in all, and throughout, you’ll find that the seat angle, head angle, and bottom bracket drop mirrors that of the F8.  The difference is in 2mm longer chainstays, slightly less reach, and slightly more stack. 

The GAN also boasts many of the cool design extras of the F8. tapered 1 1/8” to 1 ½” steered. Aero stem and seatpost. Think2 internal cable routing—which works with mechanical, electronic, or hydraulic systems. If you go the electronic route, the battery goes in the seatpost, though you’ll need an accessory adapter if your bike doesn’t come with electronic shifting. The bottom bracket is the reliable Italian threaded standard—easy for servicing. The max tire width guaranteed to fit is 25mm, which means you can probably squeeze some fatter rubber in there, just Pinarello makes no promises.

There are two options for the GAN.  One is the rim brake version, with internal cable routing for the rear brake, and works with standard short-reach rim brakes. For the GAN Disk, you get the smart features Pinarello equips all their disc brake bikes with. Flat mount front caliper mounting, Pinarello RAD system rear caliper mounting. Thru-axles front and rear, 100x12mm in front and 142x12mm in back. 160mm is the max recommended rotor size. And yes, it’s UCI-approved.

The GAN Disk brings the shaping and ride of the Dogma F8 to those who want an affordable carbon super-bike and disc brakes.