Wilier's new Verticale SLR sheds weight and jumps aboard the flared-bar bandwagon

Wilier has launched its new Verticale SLR lightweight race bike, superseding the 0 SLR in its line-up ahead of the 2024 Tour de France.

The bike is claimed to be “almost 10% lighter” than the outgoing 0 SLR, thanks to a new carbon layup, with an improved stiffness-to-weight ratio and overall ride quality.

The Verticale SLR also sports a new integrated handlebar, a tweaked geometry (compared to the 0 SLR) and a series of smaller features designed to shed weight and improve reliability.

The new bike is set to be ridden in the high mountains at the 2024 Tour de France by the Groupama FDJ and Astana Qazaqstan WorldTour teams.

There are seven complete builds, starting out at £9,000 ($12,100 / €9,900) with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 groupset, rising to $15,700 (€13,400) for a Campagnolo Super Record Wireless build (not available in the UK).

You can read Ashley Quinlan's review of the new Verticale SLR here.

Remodelled carbon frame

Wilier says that while the 0 SLR was used as its starting point for development, a number of changes have been made to improve its take on the ultra-light race bike formula.

The frame is said to use a mix of Toray T800, T1100 and M46JB carbon fibre, laid up in specific (although undisclosed) locations.

The brand says the T800 and T1100 materials are used for their “high tensile strength”, while M46JB is considered high-modulus and exhibits “superior torsional stiffness”.

Each frame is claimed to be made using 400 cut pieces of carbon, laid up with “special” epoxy resins for curing, using a process it calls “Active Moulding”.

Wilier says this process involves the use of foam polymer moulds, which are said to “adapt to the materials during the curing process”, enabling it to cut excess weight.

A Verticale SLR frame is said to weigh 648g in a size M. An equivalent 0 SLR frame weighed 766.5g, according to the brand.

Wilier claims both deliver the same level of stiffness, equating to an improved stiffness-to-weight ratio.

The Italian brand also says it has worked on making the Verticale SLR more suitable for more riders.

A new moveable front derailleur mount can be fixed into two positions and is said to enable the use of oversized chainrings (up to a 56-tooth outer chainring), while the rear dropouts are claimed to have been redesigned for greater reliability.

The housing shape is claimed to reduce the chances of unwanted hanger rotation, while the hanger is designed to protrude inboard of the dropout for extra clearance between the chain and chainstay.

The proprietary seatpost is also available in two versions: zero and 15-degree setback, and includes a mounting point for a rear light or race number bracket. This is fastened by a new integrated seatpost clamp, said to contribute to the frame’s low weight, accessible from the underside of the top tube-seat tube junction.

Up front, the fork has evolved, with a new 'twisted' brakeside fork leg. This is claimed to enable the carbon used in this area to be better optimised for the braking forces it has to withstand.

An asymmetrical layout is present (thicker on the brakeside), but both fork legs also feature Kammtail (truncated aerofoil) profiling, which Wilier claims improves stiffness and brake feel (it makes no claims regarding aerodynamics).

Wilier also says the tall fork-crown profile improves strength, while tyre clearance is rated for 32mm tyres.

The fork has a 1-1/4in steerer tube, which can be used with any of Wilier’s existing road-going bars (for example, the Filante and Zero bars) and third-party cockpits with the help of an adaptor.

Cut to accommodate 15mm of spacers, the fork weighs a claimed 296g, 24g less than the 0 SLR’s fork in the same condition.

At the centre, the frame sports a PF86.5 press-fit bottom bracket standard.

Geometry

Wilier says it has evolved the geometry compared to the 0 SLR, but has kept the stack the same.

Responding to rider feedback, reach has been shortened on the smallest XS and S frames by a few millimetres, but lengthened on the largest XL and 2XL frames.

In a size L (which broadly equates to a nominal size 56cm), the stack measures 559mm, with a 393mm reach. The seat tube angle is 73.5 degrees, while the head tube angle is 72.5 degrees.

The latter is generally a little slacker than most race bikes. When paired with the fork’s 46mm rake, Wilier says the Verticale SLR is designed to offer stable handling characteristics, especially on fast descents.

New integrated ‘V-Bar’ handlebar

The Verticale SLR sports a new integrated carbon handlebar, called the ‘V-Bar’.

Wilier says the new handlebar’s ergonomics were developed in partnership with the Groupama-FDJ pro cycling team, offering a narrower platform at the base of the hoods for more comfortable hand placement when in an aero-tuck position.

The progression to the drops features a double-kink profile, proceeding downward before flaring out, then kinking back inwards at the drops.

The shape is claimed to enable the shifter hoods to canter inwards by design (supporting riders looking for a more aerodynamic position), with the drops set 30mm further apart from the centre-to-centre measurement at the brake hoods.

Wilier also says it increased the volume of the handlebar tops in order to help smooth the entry point of hydraulic brake hoses.

At the steerer clamping zone, Wilier says it opted to use alloy inserts for the bolts to screw into, to help with clamping-force distribution on the carbon steerer, as well as being easier to replace when needed.

There are six sizes available: two measure 370mm centre-to-centre at the brake hoods, with 90 or 100mm stem lengths, and four feature a 390mm width, with 110, 120, 130 and 150mm stem-length options.

The bar also features a port for a new out-front computer mount, which fits inside the bar (rather than underneath it), secured in place by two bolts on the underside.

Wilier says the 370/100mm variant weighs 310g, complete with hardware – that compares to 338.5mm for the 0 SLR handlebar (albeit in an unspecified size).

Wilier Verticale SLR availability and prices

The Wilier Verticale SLR is available now, and comes in seven complete builds and a frameset.

Prices start at £9,000 ($12,100 / €9,900) for a Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100-equipped build, rising to $15,700 (€13,400) for a Campagnolo Super Record Wireless build.

All come specced with Wilier sibling brand Miche’s Kleos wheelsets and Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR tyres.

Importantly, Wilier says riders will have free choice of V-Bar size at point of purchase, while the choice of a zero-setback seatpost is subject to a “little upcharge”.

The Campagnolo build isn’t available in the UK.

Wilier Verticale SLR specifications