And you thought bikes were already unreasonably expensive

This morning I was forwarded this press release and accompanying images. It seems that Di2 is now available as a stock set up option on Pinarello's flag ship Prince model. As always have a good weeked and enjoy contemplating the $15,000 price tag on this bike.


"Pinarello announces the introduction of the Prince Di2 showcasing the new Shimano Dura Ace Di2 electronic gruppo. Shimano has actually made available several versions of this gruppo; including the one Pinarello has chosen for the Prince Di2 which features internal routing of the actuation cables for the electronic componentry.

This Prince was designed by Pinarello's engineers in conjunction with Shimano to eliminate unsightly wiring and the accompanying fasteners. The cables from the levers follow the brake cables under the MOst Talon bar and enter the downtube a short distance from the headtube. This area has been reinforced and features a sealed cover to keep the elements out of the frame. The battery is located below the water bottle cage on the downtube and is attached at an additional boss below the cage and the lower bottle boss. The actuation cables enter and exit the battery pack through another sealed port in the frame and emerge near both the front and rear derailleurs. This creates a very clean line for the cables while keeping the weight of the battery pack as low as possible without the risk of interference with the drivetrain. Everywhere the wiring enters or exits the frame is sealed against the elements and reinforced internally for additional strength.

The geometry and ride characteristics of the Prince Di2 are identical to the Prince FP framesets designed for traditional componentry. The Shimano Dura Ace Di2 electronic gruppo has been thoroughly tested by Pinarello over the last few months and determined to be of outstanding quality and reliability. Once you have ridden this gruppo, you will be amazed at how quickly it shifts and how much effort it really takes to shift a mechanical system. Shimano has designed the system to be able to compensate for maladjustments with an on-board calibration system. The control box, which is conveniently located, but out of the way, under the handlebars on the brake cable shows battery life left as well as the means to recalibrate the system should the need arise. The range of the system is easily 1000+ miles between charges and, in the unlikely event of the battery running low; you will get plenty of warning (and shifts) as the front derailleur will quit shifting approximately 50 shifts before the rear derailleur. This should easily be enough to conclude nearly any ride without being stuck in the wrong gear. In the event of a crash, the wiring is protected inside the frame to avoid damage.

Pinarello is among the very first manufacturers to take advantage of this OEM Di2 system, which offers the cleanest and safest way to offer this first of the next generation of componentry.

MSRP: $15,900.00"