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Wilier are one of Italy’s leading bike manufacturers, although you may not know it in the UK. Famously ridden by Marco Pantani in his last season of racing and now team bike of French team Cofidis. Next year will be a big year for them as they will be taking on two more teams in the Protour. The great news is that they now have a new distributor in ATB Sales (they of Marin fame). This will mean a much bigger distribution network in the UK which can only be a good thing.
There will be a select group of UK dealers who can handle such a prestigious brand and there are many variations of frame/fork packages and complete bikes with a suitably high-end specification. The range has yet to be completely confirmed but expect prices for complete bikes may well start at around £800 up to several thousand for a Cofidis team replica.
The carbon frames are very tidy and the finish and paint quality are what you’d expect from a top dollar Italian bike maker. And yes, we’ve already ordered a test bike.
Carbon technology is moving very fast and Wilier have adopted several features to their bikes that we expect to see a fair bit of during the trade shows. Mixing Aheadset sizes (oversize race at the bottom) is to provide a little more stability to the steering and the variation in top weave carbon fabric adds a little twist to the look of the team bike.
Prices of shown equipment:
Imperiale Frame and Fork: £1695
Le Roi (Team Cofidis): Frame and Fork: £2195
Thor bike with Chorus: £2195
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 The Thor complete bike Looks good value |
 With a variety of group options |
 frame details are pretty tasty |
 A name with an excellent reputation |
 Ridden by O’Grady and co |
 Try making that UCI legal… |
 Team Cofidis colours and neat decals |
 ‘fat’ weave all over and neat socket drop outs |
 All black, with a little chrome bling, for the ‘Imperiale’ |
 Our favourite is the understated Imperiale |
 1 1/8″ x 1 1/4″ Integrated headset and gusset ‘stiffners’ |
 Black and chrome for that sleek designer look |
