Product Information
Wilier Gran Turismo.
-
A favourite amongst Italian Gran Fondo riders
-
Geometry designed with comfort in mind
-
Full carbon frame and fork
-
Great value considering its quality
-
Full Campagnolo Athena 11 speed equipped
Given that few of us can afford to have a different bike for every type of terrain and ride type, a bike that can excel in a wide variety of riding conditions is probably ideal for you. This is why the Wilier Gran Turismo is worth serious consideration. By definition Gran Turismo is for luxury touring, and this is exactly where this bike excels.
Most touring bikes look….., well they look distinctly like touring bikes, the Gran Turismo looks anything but. It is a great looking bike. I have to admit, I am tempted to buy one just because of it’s appearance, but there is no need to admit to anything so foolish, because it is actually an ideal bike for most of us.
While the Cento Uno is regularly praised as being one of the best race bikes available. It is beyond many riders’ budget constraints. Also most of you don’t wish to race (professionally anyway) and are probably more likely to go out for a 2-3 hour ride with your mates. A bike that performs well regardless of where you go then delivers you back feeling great, even after hours in the saddle, is a real gem. There are many of us who are no longer in perfect condition, and feeling comfortable at the end of a ride probably is far more important than the slight performance advantage of a pure race bike.
Actually when it comes down to performance, this bike would out-accelerate many race bikes. Wilier designers are not constrained by the limitations of out-sourced manufacturing capabilities. They have their own monocoque molding process to fully utilize their innovative designs. Using the highest quality carbon fibre from two trusted suppliers Toray and Mitsubishi, Wilier hand build these frames using Toray’s T700SC and Mitsubishi's MR60H and 46 ton fibre. Using a blend of these fibres, Wilier’s engineers are able produce a frame that delivers excellent performance, with maximum comfort at a cost that is well below the Cento Uno. In fact most of us would not be able to tell the performance difference, while you will appreciate the reduced fatigue after a long grueling ride.
An ingenious feature that contributes to the comfort of this bike is the asymmetrical rear stays. Naturally the forces applied to the rear stays during acceleration and climbing vary left and right. Wilier have designed stays to neutralize the variation in these forces, and deliver improved performance while increasing the comfort. Makes sense doesn’t it? It probably won’t be long before most manufacturers do this.
An unusual feature is the Razor Edge Design, whereby the frame uses more aggressively shaped tubing, which further improves performance and is very aesthetically pleasing. It is a nice change from the usual round tubing, and reinforces the praise of Italian styling. Wilier have paid a great deal of attention to the head tube and the bottom bracket area, in order to achieve unparalleled torsional stiffness. This of course is a major factor in achieving the incredibly high level of performance of this bike. And the paint work. Well Wilier are known for their works of art, and this bike is definitely no exception. It looks outstanding!
Assembled with the new 11 speed Campagnolo, with its stylish carbon fibre components, the Gran Turismo is as nice to ride as it is to look at.
