"zero.7" is a reference to the frame weight. The frame in size M is said to weigh just over 0.7 kilos, which would make it one of the lightest series models. However, our test frame was a long way from this. In size L, which is short with a top tube length of 555 millimetres and actually corresponds more to a size M, the frame weighs 876 grams including the seat clamp and cable guides - which is also undoubtedly light. However, Wilier mounts a fork on the lightweight frame that weighs 424 grams, which is quite heavy for a high-end model. In terms of lightweight construction, the zero.7 still has a lot to offer.
Riding the bike, on the other hand, leaves nothing to be desired. From the very first metre, the unexpected level of damping is impressive. The value of 164 newtons per millimetre, measured on the oversized Ritchey seatpost specially developed for the zero.7, is not even exceptional. The fact that the bike is nevertheless very comfortable to ride is also due to the 24 millimetre wide, well-damping Conti rear tyre, the comfortable SLR saddle and the flat Fulcrum rims. The riding stability is also faultless. Even when travelling downhill at 80 km/h, the bike sits firmly on the road and always gives the rider the good feeling of having everything under control.
Fabulously equipped
The excellent equipment contributes to the convincing riding impression. Shimano's new Dura-Ace Di2 transmission with eleven sprockets is currently the undisputed benchmark for shifting precision and speed. The Dura-Ace brakes are also impressive: They bite down powerfully on the Fulcrum aluminium rims and can be controlled excellently. Somewhat surprisingly, a new Dura-Ace crank with four asymmetrical chainring arms turns on the test bike. Surprising because the zero.7 is designed for the BB386evo bottom bracket size with an extra-wide bottom bracket shell, which Wilier developed together with component manufacturer FSA. It would therefore have been expected that the test bike would have a BB386evo crank. According to Claudio Salomoni, Wilier's marketing manager, this was also the intention; however, no suitable BB386evo crank was available at the time. The Dura-Ace crank, which rotates in an adapter, works perfectly, but it would have been interesting to see whether the shifting behaviour is just as good with the BB386evo crank.
Cable inside, cable outside
The battery for the Di2 is concealed in the seat post of the zero.7; the cables run inside the frame. If you want to ride the bike with mechanical shifting, you will have to live with external shift cables; the corresponding cable stops can be retrofitted to very discreet threads. The reason Salomoni gives for this solution is that it saves a few grams compared to internal cables. For the same reason, the rear brake cable runs on the outside of the top tube. Formally this can be debated, but technically this route has advantages. Installation is easier and the risk of brakes and gears not functioning optimally due to high cable friction, which is not uncommon with internal cables, is minimised.
All in all, Wilier has put a convincing model on its wheels with the zero.7, which can only be criticised for two things: The weight promise, which was set a little too high and then not quite kept, and the price of € 4,000 for the frameset, for which no justification can be found despite all the enthusiasm for the technical realisation.
Price complete wheel 10,699 Euro
Price frame set 3,990 Euro
Weight 6.6 kilos
Reference/Info www.wilier.it
Frame sizes** XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Seat/steering angle 73,5°/72,5°
Seat/top tube/head tube 525/555/152 plus 17 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 990/58 mm
Stack/Reach/STR*** 555/391 mm/1.42
EQUIPMENT
Steering bearing Ritchey WCS, top 1-1/8, bottom 1-1/4 inch
Brakes/gears/bottom bracket Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070 (50/34 t., BB386 E vo)
Wheels/tyres Fulcrum Racing Zero/Continental Grand Prix Force/Attack
Handlebar/stem FSA K-Force Light
Saddle/post Selle Italia SLR/Ritchey Superlogic (31.6 mm)
MEASURED VALUES & INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Weight of complete wheel 6.6 kg (without pedals)
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing**** 876/424/78 g
Standardised weight frame set***** 1.418 g: 2 , 0
Steering head stiffness 102 Nm/°: 1 , 0
Lateral stiffness fork 47 N/mm: 2 , 0
Bottom bracket stiffness 57 N/mm: 1 , 7
Comfort frame 164 N/mm: 2 , 0
Comfort fork 107 N/mm: 5 , 0
* The frame set accounts for 40 per cent of the overall score and the equipment for 60 per cent. These ratings include individual scores, only some of which are printed for reasons of space. The grades are
up to the final grade with all decimal places; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
** Manufacturer's specifications; test size bold.
*** Stack/reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top edge of the headset; STR (stack to reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright sitting position.
**** Weighed weights.
***** Adjusted weight for frame size 57 cm and fork steerer length 225 mm.
