Italians renovate professional road bike: Wilier makes the Filante fit for the next season

The Italian manufacturer Wilier has given its top model Filante a makeover. The professionals of the Groupama-FDJ team, led by David Gaudu and Stefan Küng, will be using this bike for their professional races in the coming season. Great emphasis was placed on improving the aerodynamics in the new development. According to the manufacturer, the Filante ID2 has become almost 14 per cent faster, which was determined using CFD simulations and confirmed in aero tests in the wind tunnel at Silverstone. On a 70-kilometre track at a constant 290 watts, this results in a time advantage of 1 minute and 45 seconds.

Key elements of the aerodynamic update relate to the accessories. For example, the handlebar/stem unit has been redesigned with aero performance in mind and the bike has form-fit integrated bottle cages with special aerodynamic drinking bottles.

Wilier Filante ID2: The most important facts

• Weight of complete wheel: from approx. 7.1 kilogrammes (size M)
• Stack/Reach/STR: 559/393 millimetres/1.42 (size L)
• Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
• Prices complete wheel: 9700 to 13100 Euro
• Price frameset: 5800 Euro

Three different types of carbon fibre are used to laminate the monocoque frame: T800, T1100 and M46JB. These were developed in collaboration with Toray, a leading manufacturer of carbon fibres, and are designed to provide the optimum balance of reactivity, stiffness and weight. The manufacturer emphasises that the Filante SLR ID2 is not primarily about extreme lightness, but about precise and stable response behaviour under all riding conditions. Wilier does not specify a weight for the new frame. Complete wheel weights are stated at 7.1 kilograms with Dura-Ace equipment, which is roughly the same weight as the previous model.

Water bottles as a central aero element

A particularly eye-catching feature of the Filante SLR ID2 is the newly developed Aerokit system for the water bottles. The down tube has been specifically designed to minimise air resistance and optimally integrate the water bottles into the airflow. The system was developed by Wilier in co-operation with Elite Cycling, a market leader for water bottles. It offers a total volume of 1100 millilitres and is designed to function like a spoiler by directing the airflow and minimising turbulence around the frame. Compared to conventional solutions, the Aerokit reduces air resistance by more than two thirds. The system is also fully compatible with standard round bottles: from 550 millilitres on the down tube to 750 millilitres on the seat tube.

The new position of the Shimano Di2 battery in the area of the bottom bracket shell, together with the lowered aero kit, helps to lower the bike's centre of gravity, which, according to the manufacturer, should lead to more stable, precise and agile handling.

Further innovations concern the fork and the rear triangle. The left fork blade has a slim, aerodynamic wing that runs along the disc and surrounds the brake calliper. The thread of the thru-axle in the right fork blade is fully integrated and laminated over. The rear triangle has been completely redeveloped, but retains the family look of the previous model. The wide rear chainstays have been retained but angled inwards by 2.5 degrees. The rear triangle has been extended slightly to better integrate the new drive groups with the UDH dropouts and to provide more space for tyres up to 34 millimetres. Thanks to the UDH standard and a removable derailleur hanger, the drivetrain can also be configured as a single chainring version and can accommodate chainrings with up to 56 teeth.

Six sizes, many fitting options

The Filante SLR ID2 is available in six frame sizes. In combination with seven spacer combinations, five stem sizes and two seat post versions, this results in 420 different fitting configurations, each differing by just 2 millimetres. The frame itself offers typical racing geometry: in the comparison size L, the STR is a decidedly sporty 1.42.

Wilier Filante ID2: Prices and equipment options

Five colour variants are available at market launch: Pure White, Solar Bronze, Aurora Blue, Lunar Grey and Eclipse Black. In addition to the eight equipment variants, a frame set for self-assembly is also available, including the aero kit with water bottles and a computer holder for 5800 euros. The colour options can be combined with any of the available drive groups.

The equipment differs mainly in the groupset, there are complete offers with Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo, each with or without a power meter. The wheels are always 50 millimetre high Kleos carbon rims from the house brand Miche, whereby models with the top groupsets are given the higher-quality RD version. Complete bikes start at €9,700 and come with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset. The most expensive model has a Campagnolo Super Record Wireless and costs 13100 euros.