PINNACLE DOLOMITE 5 £1000
› Will it be a peaky blinder from Evans’ in-housers?
Last year’s £950 Dolomite Six impressed us with its versatility and solid Shimano 105 build, and our one real criticism was of its sub-standard Tektro rim brakes. With similar kit apart from proper hydraulic discs, this year’s £1000 Dolomite 5 looks very promising...
The braking upgrade has meant a few concessions along the way: the full carbon fork is no more, while the slick 105 chainset has lost out to a less shiny FSA unit. The weight’s gone up a little too (around 600g), but otherwise the recipe is largely unchanged; the frame is a tidily executed 6061 aluminium affair with minimally disguised welds, partly internal cabling and a tapered head-tube. It sports a paint job that’s pleasant rather than beautiful. Most importantly, there’s still clearance for 28mm tyres (maybe even 30mm if you suck your belly in), and a full complement of eyelets and bosses to mount a rack and mudguards.
The bike hasn’t lost its pleasant road manners. We don’t expect premium levels of refinement or race-bike stiffness at this price, but it’s a solid all-rounder that won’t beat you senseless over potholes or sap your enthusiasm on the climbs. The subtly curved seatstays and skinny post do a fair job of cushioning your rear, while the saddle is too soft if anything – we’d swap in something more supportive. Following Evans’ sizing recommendations will give you a fairly upright position, or you can do what we did and size down (and fit a longer stem) for a more aggressive fit, albeit one that still leans towards the endurance end of the spectrum.
Shimano’s new RS505 levers have a bulbous hood whose ergonomics have proved divisive among our testers, with some loving their reassuring bulk and others lamenting their curious lumps and bumps - we’d encourage you to try before you buy. In any case, braking and shifting are both outstanding. The former comes courtesy of the same RS785 callipers found on bikes costing over three grand and is reassuring and well modulated, while the latter is at least the equal of 105 in refinement.
Pinnacle had to make a few kit compromises to get hydraulics in the mix, but we think they’ve pitched it pretty much perfectly. The weight is still reasonable, and none of the changes undermine the bike’s likeable personality. It’s not a particularly sexy machine, but it’s a thoroughly capable one that’s well suited to putting in the miles, whatever the weather. SPECIFICATION 9.2kg (S) 6061-T6 aluminium Carbon with aluminium steerer Shimano RS-505 levers, 105 mechs, FSA Gossamer 50/34, 11-28 BR-785 hydraulic disc Alex Draw 1.7p rims with unbranded QR hubs
Fork Gears Brakes Wheels Finishing kit
Pinnacle bar, stem, seatpost and saddle, 25mm Continental Grand Sport tyres