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Wilier has launched its latest generation endurance bike, the Granturismo SLR.
Its rear suspension system is the headline feature. Wilier says it allows 5mm of vertical travel while still maintaining a frame stiffness close to that of the brand’s race bikes. The new bike also has aero tube profiles and a one-piece bar/stem with integrated cabling. There’s room for 32mm tyres.
The Granturismo SLR is available now in five guises, with prices ranging from €7,400 to €11,200. Pricing in other territories is to be confirmed.
New rear suspension
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Wilier says the new Actiflex 2.0 rear suspension system allows the rear triangle of the Granturismo SLR to move vertically by up to 5mm.
It uses a hinge that connects the seatstays to the top tube just ahead of the seat tube, with movement and shock absorption regulated by an elastomer block in the hinge assembly. There’s no physical connection between the seatstays and the seat tube.
Wilier has previously had a bike with rear suspension in its range, the Cento10 NDR, but it has updated the system on the Granturismo SLR, moving the pivot ahead of the seat tube so that it’s better protected from the weather and anything that the back wheel throws up from the road. It also looks nicer.
Wilier says that the system is easy to disassemble for maintenance. In all but the lower spec SRAM Force AXS and Shimano Utegra Di2 builds, the Granturismo uses a ‘3D printed conformal lattice structure’, which Wilier says shaves 20g from the (unspecified) frame weight relative to the elastomer blocks used in its two lower spec bikes, and the original Actiflex system.
Wilier has used a carbon fibre mix it calls HUS-MOD, along with a liquid crystal polymer fibre incorporated in the carbon mesh. The brand says the polymer adds elasticity and increases the frame’s torsional stiffness. Wilier also incorporates the liquid crystal polymer in its high-end race bikes including the Filante SLR and 0 SLR.
Wilier says that its new Actiflex 2.0 design not only gives the Granturismo SLR vertical compliance, but its tests show that the frame’s stiffness and responsiveness are close to those of its full-on race bikes, helped by the new positioning of the hinge and the inclusion of a bridge to connect the seatstays.
Endurance geometry
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As you’d expect for a bike designed for longer rides, Wilier has shortened the reach and increased the stack of the Granturismo SLR frame to give a more upright ride position relative to its racing bikes.
Again with looks in mind, the longer head tube means that many riders can dispense with spacers under the stem. ‘With Granturismo SLR the bike will appear more harmonious, well-proportioned, and balanced while maintaining its racing character,’ Wilier says.
Aero too
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A modern high-end road bike (or gravel race bike, for that matter) wouldn’t be complete without aero flourishes and Wilier has obliged with the Granturismo SLR, porting over features from the Filante SLR aero race bike.
The Granturismo SLR comes with aero tube profiles and a wide fork crown to reduce aerodynamic interplay between it and the wheels. The wide fork spacing also means that you can fit 32mm tyres, which Wilier reckons is the perfect width for an endurance bike.
There’s also cable/hose integration through the single piece 0 Bar bar/stem combo. It’s the same as fitted to the 0 SLR climbing bike, with a more rounded shape that Wilier says is more comfortable than the aero Filante Bar. You can fit any of Wilier’s other handlebar designs as well.
Wilier Granturismo SLR specs and prices
At launch, Wilier will offer the Granturismo SLR with a choice of five groupsets, with options from all three major brands. It tops off with a Campagnolo Super Record EPS bike with Wilier’s own 1,530g, 38mm deep 38SLR8KC carbon wheelset. Lower specs get the option of Vision Trimax 30C wheels as an alternative.
All the current specs include double chainrings, but Wilier reckons that single chainring setups will become increasingly popular, so it’s designed the front derailleur hanger to be removable. Wilier is currently showing Euro prices only.
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Wilier Granturismo SLR Campagnolo Super Record EPS
- Wilier 38SLR8KC wheels: €11,700
Wilier Granturismo SLR SRAM Red AXS
- Wilier 38SLR8KC wheels: €11,200
- Vision Trimax 30C wheels: €10,200
Wilier Granturismo SLR Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
- Wilier 38SLR8KC wheels: €10,300
- Vision Trimax 30C wheels: €9,300
Wilier Granturismo SLR Shimano Ultegra Di2
- Wilier 38SLR8KC wheels: €8,400
- Vision Trimax 30C wheels: €7,400
Wilier Granturismo SLR SRAM Force AXS
- Wilier 38SLR8KC wheels: €8,400
- Vision Trimax 30C wheels: €7,400
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