1623 g for the Verticale SLR, 1798 g for the 0 SLR. Reduced weight, more responsiveness and better performance.
The Verticale SLR is today the best card from Wilier, the new generation of the best Italian bicycle manufacturers.
Carbone d’excellence
When we talk about a climbing bike frame, the first aspect we need to take into account is the material used. The use of very high quality composite materials is the starting point for a project entirely dedicated to very high level performance.
The material is not the only thing that makes the difference, it is nevertheless, without a doubt, the first extremely important brick on which to build the rest of the project.
When we talk about composite material, Wilier is not referring to a single combination of resin and reinforcement, but to a variety of materials, made of different types of carbon fibers.
For the Vertical, in particular, Wilier used three types of fibers produced by Toray, the leading Japanese multinational in the production of carbon fibers, in particular the T800, the T1100 and the M46 JB.
The first two are characterized by exceptional breaking strength, while the last is high modulus to provide the frame with high torsional rigidity.
The chosen carbon fibers are impregnated with special epoxy resins and presented, for use, in rolls of prepreg or prepreg, which are then cut into more than 400 templates with different types of shapes and orientations of the reinforcement.
Thanks to the adoption of new production technologies, which allow the preformed materials to be introduced inside the mold in a very precise and careful way, the frame is “treated”: this technical term indicates the transformation process that leads to consolidating the resin optimally to obtain the best possible performance.
More specifically, the innovative technological process of the Verticale SLR stands out with a great novelty: the “ACTIVE MOLDING” system, characterized by the use of special counter-forms in expanded polymers which, during the treatment process, adapt to the materials which consolidate during this process.
New seat post fixing system
We have optimized the closing device which no longer closes from the top but diagonally from the bottom. This tightening system made it possible to reduce the weight at this point of the frame compared to the 0 SLR.
New front derailleur mount
Another fundamental novelty concerns the front derailleur attachment, which, for the Verticale, is no longer riveted to the frame and can be repositioned.
Wilier has thus managed to reduce the weight of the binding and to have two possible configurations which make it possible to mount compact 50/34 or 53/39 cranksets in one case and, in the other, larger cranksets up to 55/ 56 teeth as requested by our World Tour teams.
Contoured rear dropout
Regarding the triangle, Wilier has a new rear dropout designed with a special profiled shape that prevents its rotation, ensuring greater reliability. The interchangeable part is cantilevered, which allows the chain to be moved considerably away from the stays and to avoid possible points of contact between the chain and the stay.
Compatibility is ensured with wireless and semi-wireless groups.
Seat post with integrated lighting or number
The Italian brand has redesigned the seatpost with two possible setbacks: 0° and -15°, both equipped with two special holes for installing a rear light or for mounting frame plates for racing.
New racing geometries
The first big difference compared to the Wilier 0 SLR was the change in reach. The engineers focused on what most interests the runner/cyclist, namely the positioning of the hands in relation to the bottom bracket of the frame.
This resulted in a modification of the frame and handlebar hanger geometries. The bike’s stack is generally unchanged. The reach, on the other hand, has been slightly shortened for sizes XS and S and lengthened for sizes XL and XXL, compared to classic geometries.
For the handlebars, the main modifications concern the drop, the reach and the angles of inclination of the handlebars, in particular that of the stem in relation to the fork pivot, which range from 7.5° to 10.5°.
Emphasis is placed on the distance between the center of the bottom bracket and the center of hand support on the handlebars, called ACCU-FIT at Wilier.
For the Verticale SLR, the big news is that they managed to fill the space evenly, including for the C1 position. This research and development process took place in close collaboration with the Groupama – FDJ team. This allows us to have a product adapted to all requirements and all types of runners.
Maximum control
Climb quickly and descend while maintaining total control. The Verticale SLR’s high-speed downhill ride quality is indisputable, and it’s professional riders who ensure it.
David Gaudu, professional athlete of the Groupama – FDJ team:
We feel that the Verticale de Wilier was designed to respond specifically to the steep slopes of the road, when we dance on the pedals. It returns everything you give it, it is very responsive, you have complete control on very technical descents: this is very important because a rider must trust his bike. It’s really a very, very good bike for the mountains. He will accompany me on all the climbs of the Tour de France. I can’t wait to now be able to test it on big mountain stages.
Lenny Martinez, professional athlete for the Groupama–FDJ team:
The Verticale is a very good bike, especially for me as a climber. It’s a bike that is lighter than the Filante, and has very good responsiveness on climbs, when you get on the pedals, it reacts very well, as we saw at the Mercan’Tour Classic where I could win with this model in the prototype version. I think it really played a role in my victory and I have a good feeling about it. I was able to ride it a little before the competition, at home, and I immediately liked it. It has all the qualities of a good bike, it feels good when you dance on the pedals or accelerate, you have the feeling of being pushed forward.
New integrated V BAR handlebars
The monocoque carbon handlebar benefits from a completely new design, with a weight of approximately 310 grams.
The first thing you notice is the special shape with differentiated width of the handlebars. If we look at it from the front, the upper part is narrower in the lower part. This shape was designed to provide concrete responses to the requirements of professionals, who, season after season, seek optimal aerodynamic solutions, but which fall within the limits of UCI rules.
The trend is to move towards narrow shapes but to have a wider low grip to have greater maneuverability, which is fundamental in the sprint phase. The delta between the upper and lower parts is 30 mm.
Integrated meter support
The search for overall weight reduction of the handlebars has led to the development of a specific support for the bicycle computer, entirely in aluminum, and which, unlike the previous ones, enters completely inside the handlebar hanger.
Fixing is carried out using two through holes which have further optimized the weight compared to previous models.
At the rear, in the stem/fork steerer area, we can see a different system for tightening. The screws will tighten on two aluminum inserts, a solution which facilitates replacement in the tightening zone, and improves the distribution of forces on the composite part.
To close the rear of the stem, a rubber insert prevents dirt and sweat from entering the handlebars, preserving its long-term reliability.
Passage of ducts
Wilier also worked on the upper part of the handle, particularly with regard to the passage of the brake sheaths. The support surface has been increased to improve the passage of the sheath inside the handlebars.
V-Bar, like the other monocoque handlebars in the Wilier catalog, is also compatible with other high-end bikes. It is available in 6 sizes, 2 with a width of 37/40 mm, with stems of 90 and 100 mm, and 4 with a width of 39/42 mm, with stems of 110, 120, 130 and 150 mm.
Asymmetrical fork
The challenge was to improve the weight and performance of a seemingly simple component.
The engineers kept the asymmetrical shape. On the sleeve where the brake caliper is housed, the sections are larger; on the other hand, those of the right sheath are thinner and lighter.
A new feature is the oblique left fork slider.
This shape constitutes an improvement for two reasons: better orientation of the carbon fibers during the rolling phase (to better respond to constraints) and increased resistance to the force exerted by the caliper during braking.
The truncated shape of the rear profile ultimately gives greater rigidity to the fork and improves the overall feeling when braking.
The designers paid particular attention to the design of the fork head. This transition zone between the sliders and the fork pivot is very delicate, and it is there that high levels of stress converge during pedaling. We have a conical head, which is certainly nothing new.
For the Verticale SLR, work focused on finding a compromise so that the cone was much taller than standard. This provides greater mechanical continuity between the pivot and the fork crown.
Models and prices
4 colors are available, Core Black, Groupama, Hulk and Red.
The frame kit, including V Bar cockpit and speedometer support, is priced at €5,800.
Assemblies side:
- Campagnolo Super Record WRL and Miche KLEOS RD 36 wheels: €13,400
- SRAM Red AXS with power meter and Miche KLEOS RD 36 wheels: €13,000
- Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 with power meter and Miche KLEOS RD 36 wheels: €13,000
- Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 without power meter and Miche KLEOS RD 36 wheels: €12,200
- Shimano Ultegra Di2 and Miche KLEOS 36 wheels: €9,900
- SRAM Force AXS with power meter and Miche KLEOS 36 wheels: €10,400
- SRAM Force AXS without power meter and Miche KLEOS 36 wheels: €9900
Find all the specifications on the Wilier website.
