Today Wilier announced the release of the all-new Vertical SLR road bike, designed primarily for climbing, and with a remarkably light frame weight of 658 grams.
Traditionalists may appreciate Wilier’s commitment to its 118-year history, delivering a racing bike that emphasizes light weight and ride quality over aerodynamic improvements. The Vertical SLR has a classic and refined design, appealing to those who value traditional aesthetics.
First seen in action at the Critérium du Dauphiné, the Vertical SLR is expected to be the weapon of choice for the challenging climbing stages in this year’s Tour de France for riders like Lenny Martinez and the Groupama-FDJ team.
But can this modern classic withstand the technological feats of Specialized and Giant, among others? Let’s see.
Weight reduction frameset
The new Vertical SLR is most closely related to Wilier’s outgoing 0 SLR road bike and shares a similar silhouette to its predecessor. Rather than opting for a drastic external redesign, Wilier has focused on subtle but important refinements to the structure of the frame from within.
These updates include a new carbon fiber layout, resulting in a frameset that is almost 10% lighter than the Wilier 0 SLR. It’s a matter of careful evolution rather than radical changes, but Wilier has certainly made the Verticale competitive with top-level climbing bikes from other brands.
(Image credit: Wilier)
The first area Wilier wanted to drop weight from was the seatpost clamp area. The new mechanism now attaches diagonally from the rear of the bike, making adjustments easier and allowing for a small weight saving in the hardware.
Wilier has also shaved 10 grams off the seatpost, which is available with both 0 and 15mm saddle setback, and includes an integrated number mount to keep system weight as low as possible for professional riders.
(Image credit: Wilier)
Move further to the rear of the bike and the weight-saving measures become much more visible to the naked eye. Wilier has redesigned the rear derailleur hanger so that it is no longer an integral part of the frame. This has allowed for a small weight saving, in addition to wider chainset compatibility, allowing more options for rear derailleur mounting options.
Then there are the rear dropouts – slim is an understatement. Those of you who have watched bicycle design evolve over the past decade may remember that when Cervelo first introduced super-slim seat stays on the R5 in 2008, questions were raised about the strength of the frameset – clearly in the modern age of advanced materials science can be deceiving.
The new dropouts are not only incredibly small, but also redesigned, which Wilier says improves reliability by creating more space between the chain and the dropouts, good news for any wheel changes Groupama FDJ may have to endure at this year’s Tour .
(Image credit: Wilier)
New racing geometry
Wilier has chosen to adapt the frame geometry of the new Verticale to make it even more climbing-oriented, resulting in a fractionally more upright position. However, the range is slightly reduced on sizes XS and S, and slightly increased on XL and XXL size frames compared to the brand’s ‘classic geometries’. No real changes have been required for Medium and L, and it’s worth noting that the stack height is consistent across all sizes.
(Image credit: Wilier)
So far the new geometry also seems to be a hit with the Groupama FDJ riders, with David Gaudu saying the Verticale will be his “trusted companion” during the 2024 Tour de France.
New integrated cockpit
Wilier also redesigned the integrated handlebar and stem to make the Vertical more comfortable in what the brand calls C0 and C1 positions, and to reduce overall system weight.
The new bar is a carbon monocoque design that reportedly weighs around 310 grams, making it competitive with that of the Roval Rapide Aero cockpit – although there are no verified aero claims for the new design yet.
(Image credit: Wilier)
Predictably, Wilier has focused on flattening the handlebars when the bike is in a climbing position. This flatter steering wheel tilt angle should improve comfort on steeper slopes, creating a more natural driving position.
The revised shape of the steering drops takes aerodynamics into account. Wilier, like many other brands in recent years, has introduced a 30mm flare from the hoods to the bottom of the drops.
The handlebars are available in a 370mm (center to center at the bonnets) or 390mm setup, with a clear focus on racing geometry.
Prices and availability
As you’d expect, Wilier’s new Italian superbike has a price tag to match. Only seven models of the new bike will be released, all of which are built with second-tier or higher groupsets.
The range starts with an Ultegra Di2 build, with Wilier subsidiary Miche Kleos 36mm wheels, which will cost you $12,100 / £9,000. SRAM Force AXS builds are available with the same wheels, in both power meter and non-power meter versions.
Top-spec models come with Miche’s range-topping Kleos RD 36mm climbing wheels, and will cost $15,300 / £12,500 for a Dura-Ace Di2 and SRAM Red AXS builds.
Wilier is also releasing a Campagnolo Super Record Wireless build, which will hit shelves with a hefty price tag of $15,700, but UK pricing and availability are yet to be confirmed.
For more information, please visit Wilier’s website.