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Pinnacle Evaporite Two 2012 Review

2012 saw the launch of the first carbon based road race bike from Pinnacle, who had previously impressed reviewers and professionals alike with their commuter bikes and other models, so we were very keen to have a look at the Evaporite Two and see how it measured up to other bikes in its class. The Evaporite Two has a 100% carbon core frame supplied with Shimano 105 and excellent RS20 wheels. What else is notable about the Pinnacle Evaporite Two is the low cost – at £1,499 (correct at time of writing) it’s one of the cheapest models available in this class, and with Pinnacle’s history of creating excellent value bikes, you will be pleased to know that the low price tag is not reflected in this bike’s ride.

Build

The frame does have what you might call a no-frills look. This isn’t to say it looks cheap, because it is actually great quality however there are no nods to fancy design trends in bike shaping and styling here, this is a utilitarian frame that gets the job done. The big, rounded down tube is paired with an extra large BB30 bottom bracket shell leading into thick, robust looking chainstays. The seatstays and top tube are of the standard size – again, this is to give a solid, trustworthy construction that doesn’t mess around with styling.

While quality hasn’t been sacrificed, the Evaporite Two does give something of an old school feel – it feels “real” and while not quite as refined as many of this year’s other carbon bikes, it gives you a very exciting ride. In many ways it feels reminiscent of slightly older bikes, feeling very much akin to the first generation carbon frames from Cannondale, or the first carbon Storck Scenario. This may be a result of trying to keep the costs down, and if it is then it was a very smart one – the bike is exceptionally fun to ride.

Ride

The Pinnacle Evaporite Two has the feel you would expect from German engineering – efficient, accurate and incredibly responsive – but what this results in over all, and what really makes this bike special, is the exciting ride.
It really is difficult to describe the sheer fun factor that comes with the Evaporite Two – while it may lack elegance, it responds amazingly to your actions and gives you back what made you fall in love with riding in the first place, that feeling of exhilaration only riding on the road on a bike that really lets you feel everything can give.

Finishing

The wheels and gearings are pretty much what you would expect for the low price however Pinnacle have made the most of what they could afford to put on the model and opted for some good choices. Serious riders may want to upgrade the finishings on the bike and use the frame as the startings of a custom bike; if this was done cautiously it would be possible to create something that retains the Evaporite’s sense of fun but with top class kit.