In 1994, Miguel “Big Mig” Induráin set a new hour record, breaking the 53-kilometer mark for the first time in history on the track in Bourdeaux with a distance of 53.040 kilometers. And he did it atop the Pinarello Espada, a bike which quickly became legendary itself!
The carbon-framed, Campagnolo-equipped bike weighed in at 7.5 kilograms and was custom-molded to fit Big Mig. Only four versions of the bike were ever created, and Induráin won both of the long time trials at the 1995 Tour de France on a version modified to allow shifting.
Last weekend, Zwift held the first-ever set of Pinarello Espada Challenge races, where everyone was riding the new in-game Pinarello Espada, chasing a “Big Mig” RoboPacer set at 510 watts (6.3 W/kg) for an hour.
We wanted to know just how fast this bike was, but performing a test wasn’t as simple as it is with most bikes, since the Espada is only available in these events.
So we joined an event, turned on our firewall so only our test bot was visible (no drafting!), and then rode two laps of Tempus Fugit at 300W (4 W/kg) to perform our standard flat test.
Aero (Flat/Rolling) Performance
The Pinarello Espada turns in a time of 49:05 in our flat test, which puts it at or near the bottom of TT bike performance in Zwift, depending on how you crunch the numbers.
Usually we test frames and wheelsets separately, but the Espada, like the Tron bike, can only be tested with its disc wheels installed. Therefore, we must compare its test results with other TT frames using disc wheels.
If we assume the Espada’s wheels are as fast as the fastest disc wheels in game (DT Swiss ARC 62 Dicut Disc), that would make the frame the second-slowest in game, only faster than the Zwift TT frame by 11 seconds.
Realistically, though, you would think the Espada’s wheels would be faster than anything in game, since the Espada uses full disc wheels on the front and back while all other wheelsets in game have the disc only on the back wheel.
If that’s the case, though, that would make the Espada frameset possibly the slowest TT frameset in game.
In precise numbers, the Espada is 28.5 seconds slower than the fastest setup in game (Cadex Tri frame with DT Swiss ARC 62 Dicut Disc wheels) on our test course, which is two laps of Tempus Fugit totaling 34.6km. That’s a difference of around 0.4 kilometers per hour.
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Climb Performance
Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to test climb performance yet, since the Espada is limited to the Pinarella Espada Challenge events which are held on the Tempus Fugit route.
Note: all test results above are from a 75kg, 183cm rider holding 300W steady using Zwift’s stock 32mm carbon wheelset.
Conclusions
The Pinarello Espada TT bike is iconic for sure, but it’s not one you would want to use in a race where bike choice is an option. (It’s worth noting that at this time, it’s not even available for purchase in the Drop Shop, so this isn’t a decision Zwifters need to make. Zwift says it will be available in the Drop Shop eventually, and also says more Pinarello Espada Challenge events will be held in the fall of 2024.)
If you’re doing a TT race and aren’t sure what to use, check out Fastest TT Bike Frames and Wheels at Each Zwift Level for help in choosing your ideal rig.
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.
That’s very disappointing…
This is a 30 year old design of a TT bike. Newer designs and newer technology has TT bikes riding faster than ever. The position of the rider is something that is not done today because it is not as aero efficient. IMO – The paint schema is beautiful.
as of 08/05/2024..In the top image of The Pinarello Espada on this webpage, the graphics on the front wheel are backwards. in what looks like the screen shot of The Pinarello Espada in game, the graphics on both wheels are backwards.
I’m fairly sure that image is a photo of the real bike, the same one is shown in various sources. Most likely the front wheel got mounted backwards for the photo shoot and no one noticed at the time.
In-game, it could be that they only produced a drive side texture and applied it to both side of the wheels.
Yup. I noticed this when I put the post together. And told Zwift they should fix their in game art! 😜
But yeah, I think the front wheel got put on backwards for the IRL photo shoot.
The reason it is so slow is plainly obvious. The tires are not inflated in the picture.
LOL. Makes sense.
Also interesting that the Big Mig bot doing the same power as the actual WR did nowhere near 53km/h… in my event it did just under 48km/h. I had always thought Zwift speeds were inflated where in this case it was the other way round.
But he did 53 km in a velodrome. Tempus Fugit is not entirely flat. And maybe Zwift takes into account some wind that you may find IRL. Also, not all the events did the same distance
I don’t think it is safe to assume that the espada’s wheels are as fast as the fastest disc wheelset in-game. Nor do I think it is fair to compare it with modern TT frames. The only fair-ish comparison is with the tron, as a fixed frame and wheel combination, but then there is the tt/road issue.
Interestingly, the double disc wheel set up was only used on the track for the hour record, and for the road TTs a shamal was used on the front.
Anyway, I am delighted that zwift have modelled the espada, and I hope they do more like this in future.
Would be a shame if 30 years in TT bike development wouldn’t leave the Pinarello Espada at the back of the field..
Every time people consider Miguel Indurain’s super-human performances they should also consider that he was a client of Francesco Conconi and draw their own conclusions.
That’s true! He was a client of one of the greatest doctors of the sport. That explains why he was so fast, on the cutting edge of sports science.
Like the Wheels on the Big Spin… Very Slow upon release.
But then Zwift made a few tweaks, and they became a more
respectable set as they should be. Zwift “Could” if they wanted
to… Tweak, the Big Mig Pinarello, and make it the fastest
TT Frame… Again if they wanted to 🤔
Regardless of its performance, I would definitely spend my drops on this and use it for workouts, when bike performance really does not matter.
Those Time 50.1 shown on the IRL version were the best pedals ever made.