Pinarello F-Series Guide: F5, F3 & F1 Explained
Recommended Gear for Better Riding
Short answer. The F3 and F5 share Pinarello's Torayca T700 UD frame and Shimano 105 Di2; what separates them is the wheelset, MOST Ultrafast 45 carbon on the F5 against DT Swiss A1800 alloy on the F3, and €900 at Approved today. The F1 is a different frame layup (Torayca T600 UD) with mechanical Shimano 105 and, as sold at Approved, Shimano WH-RS171 alloy wheels, €1,400 below the F3. If you will keep the stock wheels, the F5 is the complete package; if you plan a wheel upgrade anyway, the F3 is the better base; if you want the F platform at the lowest price, the F1 is it.
F1 vs F3 vs F5: the specification
Pricing checked 25 September 2026. The product page shows the current price.
| Pinarello F1 | Pinarello F3 | Pinarello F5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame carbon | Torayca T600 UD | Torayca T700 UD | Torayca T700 UD |
| Fork | ONDA | ONDA | ONDA, 47 mm rake |
| Groupset | Shimano 105 12-speed, mechanical | Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed | Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed |
| Wheelset (complete bike) | Shimano WH-RS171 alloy* | DT Swiss A1800 30DB alloy | MOST Ultrafast 45 carbon |
| Tyre clearance | See product page | Up to 32 mm | Up to 32 mm |
| Sizes at Approved | 9 (43 to 59.5) | 9 (43 to 59.5) | 9 (43 to 59.5) |
| Colours at Approved | Carbon Red Matt, Comet Silver Shiny | Interstellar Grey Shiny, Alabaster White Shiny | Current colours on the product page |
| Approved price (complete bike) | €3,199 | €4,599 | €5,499 |
Sources: frame material, groupsets and the F3 and F5 wheelsets follow Pinarello's current specification; sizes, colours and prices are from the Approved product pages on 25 September 2026. *The F1 wheelset is the complete bike as sold at Approved. Component specification can vary by production batch; we confirm the exact build before you order.
What changes as you move up
F1 to F3 (€1,400): a different frame layup (T700 UD instead of T600 UD) and electronic shifting (105 Di2 instead of mechanical 105). Both stay on alloy wheels. This is the step that changes the frame and the shifting.
F3 to F5 (€900): the frame, fork and groupset stay the same. The wheelset changes from DT Swiss A1800 30DB alloy to MOST Ultrafast 45 carbon. This step buys wheels.
Above the F5: Pinarello's next platform in our range is the DOGMA F, a configured build at Approved rather than a fixed complete bike. That is a platform decision, covered in F5 vs DOGMA F.
Who each model suits
F1: the rider who wants the F platform and its geometry at the lowest price, is fine with mechanical shifting, and may never change the wheels.
F3: the rider who wants electronic shifting and the T700 frame and either keeps the alloy wheels or already knows which carbon wheels they want. If you are planning a Princeton CarbonWorks or similar upgrade, the F3 is the base to buy: you are not paying for a wheelset you will replace.
F5: the rider who wants a complete bike with carbon wheels from day one and does not want to plan an upgrade. Compare the €900 step with the price of the wheelset you would otherwise choose.
Fit and sizing
All three come in the same nine sizes, so the size decision is the same across the range. Pinarello's sizes are not a linear number: we size against your current bike's saddle-to-bar drop and reach and how you sit, not against a height chart. Bar width and stem length can be changed on any of the three; on a factory complete bike a later cockpit change is paid by the rider, which is one reason to get the size right before ordering. If you are unsure whether your current position is right, run the Bike Fit Fixer first.
When spending more stops being meaningful
Inside the F-series the only step that changes the frame is F1 to F3. From F3 to F5 you are buying wheels. If the F5's wheels are the wheels you want, buy the F5. If not, buy the F3 and choose the wheels separately: we recommend the depth and hub that match your typical speed, terrain, wind exposure, handling preference and intended use. Our Wheel Recommendation Tool and the wheels vs groupset comparison explain how we decide. Beyond the F5, more money does not buy a better F-series; it buys a different platform.
What we can change on any F-series bike
Wheels (Princeton CarbonWorks, Fulcrum), tyres and tubeless setup, bar width and stem length, the saddle after a sit-bone measurement, and drivetrain details such as a CeramicSpeed OSPW. Every change is quoted per part on the product page or in the consultation; there is no bundle price. Saddle and pedals are not included in the bike price and are chosen separately.
Availability
The F1, F3 and F5 on our product pages are current-model bikes. Availability per size and colour is shown on the product page. Availability and delivery timing are confirmed for the exact configuration before purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Do the F3 and F5 share the same frame? Pinarello lists Torayca T700 UD for both, in the same nine sizes. The difference in the specification is the wheelset.
Is the F1 frame worse? It is a different layup (T600 UD) at a lower price, on the same F platform with the ONDA fork and internal routing. We have not measured a difference ourselves, so we do not claim one.
Is 105 Di2 worth it over mechanical 105? If you want electronic shifting, the F3 is the first model that has it; that is the reason to step up from the F1.
Can I buy an F-series frameset only? Not from us at the moment; we sell the F1, F3 and F5 as complete bikes.
Next step
Pinarello F1 · Pinarello F3 · Pinarello F5 · Our F5 page · All Pinarello at Approved · Start your custom build
