Zwift hasn’t added a new frame to the Drop Shop since the CADEX Tri arrived in September 2022, so when we stumbled across a new Pinarello Dogma X in Zwift’s 1.63 release, we were surprised! The bike’s setup was a bit buggy in the 1.63 release, though (no descriptive text, and a color slider that didn’t change anything) so we held off testing it until this week’s 1.64 release, when Zwift announced the bike’s arrival.
Described as “Pure cycling multiplied by X” in the Drop Shop, the Dogma X is Pinarello’s top-tier road endurance frame, which Pinarello says “strikes the perfect balance between high-calibre performance and real-world comfort.” While the frame definitely has Dogma in its DNA, the unique X stays give it a unique look, while increased tire clearance opens up the possibility of this being an “all-road” proposition.
It’s rated 2 stars for aero performance and 3 stars for weight on Zwift, with a price of 850,000 Drops and an unlock level of 27. Given its aero and weight rating we didn’t expect top-tier performance from this frame in game – and that’s as it should be. The Dogma X’s strengths are in its endurance geometry, all-road capabilities, and overall ride comfort… all sort of “X-factor” things you’ll appreciate outdoors but don’t need in a virtual bike.
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Since Zwift’s 5-star rating system isn’t granular enough to communicate in-game performance in a precise way, we ran the Dogma X through our battery of speed tests. Here’s everything you need to know about the performance of the new Pinarello Dogma X frame in Zwift.
Aero (Flat/Rolling) Performance
The Dogma X performs poorly on flat/rolling roads, ranking in the lower 13% of all road frames as it turns in the same test time as the Moots Vamoots, Mosaic RT-1d, Specialized Allez, and Van Rysel EDR CF.
Its test time of 51:34.5 places it in the grupetto behind most other name-branded frames in game, with the only frames slower being Zwift-branded frames. In terms of precise numbers, it is 9.5 seconds slower than our “baseline” Zwift Aero frame and 17.5 seconds slower than the fastest frames in game on our test course, which is two laps of Tempus Fugit totaling 34.6km.
Climb Performance
While it doesn’t receive the ultra-light 4-star weight rating, a rating of 3 stars means the Dogma X should climb decently well. Our tests showed it climbed better than 56% of the frames in game, turning in the same time as the Cervelo S5 2020, Pinarello Dogma F12, and Uranium Nuclear.
The Dogma X turns in an Alpe climb time of 49:09, which is 19 seconds faster than our Zwift Aero baseline but 19 seconds slower than the best climbing road frame in game – the Specialized Aethos. The very definition of “mid-pack” performance.
Note: all test results above are from a 75kg, 183cm rider holding 300W steady using Zwift’s stock 32mm carbon wheelset.
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Conclusions
The Pinarello Dogma X is a frame Zwifters will add to their garage for one of three reasons:
- You unlock it in an event
- You own one in real life, and want to ride a matching frame in game
- You’re a crazy Zwift addict who wants to own every single item in the Drop Shop
While it climbs decently well, there are far better performers when the road turns uphill. And its performance on flat or rolling roads is quite poor, meaning you wouldn’t want to race this frame.
Still, not everything on Zwift is a race, so the Dogma X will certainly find a home in many virtual garages.
Questions or Comments?
Share below!
Important note: this post contains speed test results for Zwift frames or wheels. These results may change over time, and a bike's performance relative to others may also change. We don't always revise posts when performance rankings change, but we do keep current, master versions of our speed test results which are always available. See the frame charts, wheel charts, and Tron vs Top Performers for current performance data.
If it has increased tyre clearance, can you put gravel wheels on?
I was wondering this too – could make it a more interesting option.
Meanwhile one of the most aero frames, Venge S-Works, is basically obsolete and out-aero’ed by the Tarmac SL7 (according to Specialized, but not according to Zwift), and the even aero-ier SL8 doesn’t exist in Zwift. Variety is nice, but at some point we ought to be able to acquire even slightly faster or lighter gear.
Thanks for checking it out for us
“Pure cycling multiplied by X” So You’re telling me X=1
I am not sure of the logic of releasing a mediocre bike that does nothing well, let alone worth purchasing. I know I have 25 million drops, but why clutter my disorganized and overly full garage with another unnecessary bike I would never conceivably ride. I understand they are trying to pander to Pinarello loyalists who want to “virtually” ride their favorite bike. I just don’t get it. Please give me a new bike that is better than what I have, which in most cases is the tron bike.
I have got rear-view helmet with no rear view, so releasing a non-performance bike make sense in Zwift galaxy.
At this point, I’d happily pay millions of my unused drops to unclog my garage rather than buy another useless bike…
Still no news on whether you could sell your unwanted bikes (even for just a stock price of half value, just to clear out the garage but also raise funds ?
I would give them away even for free!!! I would even pay to get rid of all those never more used frames!
Bettered by the Specialized Aethos, Scott Addict, and even the Dogma F in aero and weight.( 3 and 4 stars, respectively).
Merida plz
Seems there is a slight error in the text (or analysis) above, although it doesn’t affect the conclusions.
The climb time is noted as 49:04 = (49 * 60) + 4 = 2944 seconds.
Comparisons are then made to the Cervelo S5 2020, Pinarello Dogma F12, Uranium Nuclear, and Zwift Aero, which have climb times of 2949 (first three) and 2968 (latter) respectively on the frame comparison page.
Was the climb time for the new Pinarello Dogma X actually 49:09?
Yup, it was 49:09. Fixed above. Good catch!
I just hit Level 50. I have all of the “all rounders” including the Dogma F, but my Canyon Aeroad 2021 is still my favorite and the only one I use.
At the end, another useless frame.
The update they should do is the possibility to delete bikes from your garage. What is the meaning of having mid performances & never used bikes?
I would like to have just Tron (best bike for mixed courses) + lightest frame (for only climbing races) + fastest TT frame + Gravel. All the rest is useless, it is just annoying scroll through all of them to pick what u need.
Its a pretty bike so I bought one