Offering the enticing prospect of all-day ride comfort with race-bike geometry, looks and handling, Wilier’s new Gran Turismo model is one of the undoubted highlights of the venerable Italian marque’s 2011 line up.
Introduced to fill the space in the Willer range between the race-ready, pro-level Cento Uno SL and the mid-range Izoard, the Gran Turismo employs many of the race bike’s technological solutions, from the asymmetric rear triangle to internal cable routing and an “integrated monocoque” construction.
The frameset is built using several different modulus carbon fibre types to find the desired balance of stiffness and resilience; for example, the Gran Turismo contains no super-stiff M60JB “60 Ton” fibre where the Cento Uno SL employs it for 50percent of the structure. Using larger proportions of lower-modulus, more elastic MR60H and T-700SC, the Gran Turismo is designed to dampen road vibration without significantly reducing drivetrain stiffness.
Precision steering allied to effective bump absorption were the design aims for the Gran Turismo’s full-carbon “Sharp Edge” design fork. The compoenet specification of the complete cycle includes a co-branded FSA SL-K/Wilier chainset, seat post and cockpit along with Fulcrum wheels and a choice of Campagnolo Chorus or Athena transmissions and shift levers.
Prices for the Athena- and Chorus-equipped bikes are £3199 and £3850 respectively with the frame and fork available separately for £1899.
Sizes run from XS to XXL and three finishes are on offer: White/Blue, White/Red and Carbon.
