675 posts and more than 51,000 hits later, the two top posts on this blog have one brand in common: Wilier. With 2,239 pageviews, the 2008 Wilier Izoard. Clocking in at 1,291 pageviews, the 2009 Wilier Cunego Cento1. Introducing, the 2010 Wilier Imperiale Carbon Red. Wilier is to road bikes what Megan Fox is to men. Just look at those curves. I rest my case.
[H/T: bikeradar.com]
Picture taken at Formentor beach, Mallorca (April 2009)
Bike specs:
2006 Orbea Orca frame
Campagnolo Chorus 10 speed group, 50/39 crankset, 12/23 sprocket
2007 Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL wheels (with customized Orbea decals)
Ritchey WCS handlebars, headset and seatpost
Campagnolo Record Skeleton brake calipers and Record Shifters
(slick racing green) Schwalbe Stelvio clinchers
Verdict after 600km in Mallorca: a superb bike. Lightweight, responsive and easy to handle. Best of all, it climbs and sprints like a rocket. It looks the part, too. Can you tell I’m a happy cyclist?
On a good day, I can resist any temptation that is not made out of carbon fiber. On a bad day, I contemplate grand larceny to score me some Zipp 404s or Lightweights. Admit it, you’ve fondled those dimpled beauties at your local bike shop, swayed by the voom-voom sirens, in awe of the build quality but startled by the price tag. Now hear this: there are a number of ahem more affordable carbon wheelsets on the market. Here are two which have caught my attention:
In the blue corner, weighing in at an amazing 1600 grams and retailing for 928 euros (€409 + €519), the – gulp – most affordable carbon wheelset on the market, the 2009 Pro Bikegear RC50. The look of blazing speed.
In the red corner, engineered by freakin’ Zipp Speed Weaponry and reviewed at testrider.com, weighing in at 1884 grams and retailing for 1300 dollars, the 2008 Flash-Point FP60. That’s right, Zipp on a budget.
My previous Wilier post received 1,077 hits. Let’s see if a 2009 model can top that number. Introducing the 2009 Wilier Cento 1 (Damiano Cunego edition). The “world’s most resilient” carbon monocoque design comes with an integrated seat post and drop-outs, an oversized bottom bracket, asymmetric rear arms and a predisposition towards grand larceny. MSRP €8,499. The frameset alone costs a diarrhea-inducing €3,599.
More jaw–dropping bikeporn. If you need me, I’ll be product testing in the Nevada desert.
Tom Van Hout 
