Online retailer Wiggle's Verenti road bike range has undergone its first major revamp since it was launched at the start of 2010. BikeRadar were given an exclusive first look at the new range, which consists of four bikes priced between £750 and £2,500.
The bikes are decidedly racier than the original Verentis, although they are still aimed at the sportive rider. As you'd expect from a direct to market retailer they're competitively priced for the spec.
The frames all feature nearly identical geometry, differing mainly in construction materials and head tube tapers. Verenti have worked with a "major European manufacturer" to produce the bikes, and while it's not a secret who they are, we'll let you work it out from the photos. The graphics and decals are understated compared to those on the previous models, which Verenti's Simeon Madder told us was to widen their appeal to more riders.
Verenti Belief
The Verenti Belief sits at the bottom of the range, priced at £750 and looking like a decent ride for the money. It features a 7005 series aluminium frame with a 1 1/8in to 1 1/2in tapered head tube and a carbon fork with an alloy steerer. It's specced with a Shimano Tiagra groupset (12-28T cassette), an FSA Omega Compact (50/34T) crankset and 4ZA (Forza) components. Jagwire cabling – all internal – is a nice touch, keeping things clean yet functional.
The bike you see here is a pre-production sample, but Madder told us the production version won't be much different.
Verenti Insight
Verenti Insight 105
The next bike in the range is the Verenti Insight 105, for £1,200. It's a full carbon fibre frame with a straight 1 1/8in head tube and a carbon fork with alloy steerer. It's specced with Shimano 105 (12-28T cassette), an FSA Gossamer Compact (50/34T) crankset, mile munching Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels with Vredestein Fortezza tyres and 4ZA finishing kit.
If you can afford another £300 then you can get the Insight Ultegra, which is identical to the 105 spec but with an Ultegra groupset and a Rotor 3D Compact crankset. It's not often you see Rotor specced on bikes for the mass market and they certainly give the Insight a more high tech look.
Verenti Revelation
Sitting at the top of the range is the Verenti Revelation, a full Shimano Ultegra Di2 machine priced at £2,500. The frame will also take cables for mechanical groupsets if you fancy swapping, but that will be at your own cost.
The Revelation consists an all carbon frame and fork with a 1 1/8in to 1 1/4in tapered head tube. A Rotor 3D Compact crankset again complements the Ultegra groupset, with gearing identical to the other Verenti models.
Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels and Vredestein Fortezza clinchers take care of rolling duties, while the bars, stem, saddle, seatpost and brake callipers are all 4ZA. These cam-action callipers are another thing you won't see on many bikes. We liked the feel of them and look forward to testing them as part of a full review soon.
4ZA cam action brake callipers
The Verenti Insight and Revelation will be available from wiggle.co.uk from mid-December 2012, while the Belief should be stocked by mid-February 2013.