Peiper1

So I'm thinking of ordering a new bike for next season and I am looking at the Colnago C59 and the Pinarello Dogma 65.1 .... I have tried out both bikes and frankly they are both equally amazing. At this point I am slightly leaning towards the Colnago due to the more "classic look", but am curious about some of your experiences with these two bikes to help me decide. Whichever one gets to share time with my Madone will be used primarily for casual rides with my wife and the occasional longer weekend excursions. Any thoughts appreciated, thanks!

fauxto nick

I've worked with both and initially preferred the Dogma but over the last two years have started to favor the C59. I really like how it fits people, I find it to be lighter and there is no significant loss of stiffness; the ride quality is wonderful. The Dogma is a heavier bike but that extra weight pays back in stiffness and responsiveness and at the price point most owners build them up with such light weight grouppos, weight is not an issue.

I like to see people make the decision based on optimal fit but of course aesthetic plays a part. I think the look of the C59 is timeless, the finish of the paint and the badges are perfect and overall I think you get what you pay for. The Dogma is extremely flashy, a bit of a long fit and I think is either hit or miss as far as aesthetic appeal goes. If it was me, I would go with the Colnago, 10 years down the line and a fresh grouppo and wheel-set will make that bike look as appealing as the day you got it.

One other thing I like about the C59 is the option of sloping geo, which from my experience gives many riders an even better fit.

coppercook62

Both really nice bikes

David Broon 

Both nice bikes, I feel like if you're looking for the one bike for the next 10+ years, I'd get the Colnago. For a bike that will get upgraded in the next 2-3 years, it's a toss-up. I'd choose the Colnago because I'm not a fan of the Pinarello aestetics.

cerealkilla

C59.

justkeepedaling

Colnago C59, better looking, lighter, better riding

StanSeven

My experiences with both are short rides (less than 10 miles) but the Pinarello felt a little more responsive on sharp turns and accelerations. The C59 was more comfortable. I'm curious if that is your riding impression as well.

Both bikes are also heavy compared to others in the same class.

starjag

What a nice "problem" to have. Earlier in the year, I was considering the Colnago CX vs the Pinarello FPQuattro. Several notches and cash below your choices, but along the same lines. More classic lines, lighter vs wavy Onda lines, asymmetric, stiffer. I ended up with the Pinarello. No regrets... but my N+1 will be a Colnago!

coasting 

colnago. looks beautiful. pinarello looks goofy.

fstshrk

C59. It's a classic.

Hiro11

I guess the C59, but I don't really get the idea of these insanely expensive mass production frames. The Dogma in particular has ludicrous pricing. You can get something local, cool and custom for less than either of these. Calfee Dragonfly or Indy Fab XS are both about the same price and I would easily prefer either.

gc3

Unless you can get a killer deal on the Dogma (one of my riding buddies got a slightly used full DA 7900 model for under $3K on fleabay), it would have to C59 in my opinion. I test rode C59 versus Parlee (picked Parlee).

I've never really loved the looks of the Pinny, but the more I ride with this guy, the more I can appreciate it.

Peiper1

My test rides on each bike were of similar duration to yours (less than 1 hour) and honestly both felt equally responsive and comfortable. I did notice that both felt slightly heavier than my Madone 5.2, but this could have been a function of the wheels or some other component(s). I will probably end up going with the C59 based primarily on its' more classic appearance .... the only other issue is that I am planning to get an identical (except for colour) bike for my wife who, at 5' will need a 44 or 45 size frame. I haven't spoken to the LBS about this yet, but I am assuming hers' will need to be a custom order due to the unusually small size.

Peiper1

Honestly, this is not about "value for the money", as our riding habits alone probably justify nothing more that a couple of $1K bikes. It's more of a "bucket list" sort of thing, having the chance to ride some amazing bikes. That being said of course, I am expecting the LBS to give me a significant discount for a "bulk" purchase .

Looigi

+1.

John_V 

A Colnago has always been on my bucket list as a bike to buy when I retire. When that day came, I was all set to get a C59 but alas, ran into fit issues. Being a bit vertically challenged and having a short torso, the race and endurance frames were way to aggressive a fit so I ended up with their sport frame ACE. It may not be the high end Colnago that I wanted, but it's a Colnago and that's been scratched off my bucket list. After riding that bike for a year and a half, I wouldn't give it up for any other bike on the market.

SirHustlerEsq

Pinarello is one of the ugliest, most homely bikes I've seen in my life. C59 is #2 or #3 best looking bike ever made.

Hiro11

You misunderstand me. My point is not "value for money", my point is that you can get something handbuilt in North America... even custom made to your specs and finish for the amount of money the two bikes you list here cost. I totally understand wanting a dream bike. For me a dream bike isn't something that, while expensive, you order like you would a dishwasher. Any joker with a fat wallet can go to a bike store and get a $15K Fred-mobile in 15 minutes. Personally, I want the full "meet with the framebuilder in the chic office/rustic mystique-filled barn, get measured, pick paint colors, discuss pedaling style" treatment. You wind up with something that's exactly what you want and uniquely represents your particular tastes. At this price point, you have that opportunity.

Also, both of these frames are unforgiving hard-core racing frames. They are not the best choice unless you're doing hard core racing, IMO. The Pina in particular is just brutal.

Hiro11

Totally agree.

Bah Humbug

All subjective... I love the Dogma. The C59 isn't bad either, though. Good problem to have.

Avispa

Dogma is not looking like something else, C59 look more ordinary (nothing bad ment). In the end, it would be narrowed down to. Which one of the two do i feel more for, which of the two fit me best.

Davidxvx

The C59. No question.

matthewk459

Have you ridden a C59?

Nevertheless, I'd go C59, but I am biased.

stdu007

another +1 for C59

kraftwerk 

Colnago