Practical test of a marathon road bike: Wilier presents Granturismo SLR

As with the award-winning Cento10 NDRwhich TOUR readers voted "Road Bike of the Year" in the Marathon category in 2018, the Italians have given the Granturismo SLR a rear shock. The enhanced suspension element called Actiflex 2.0 sits between the top tube and seat stays and, compared to the Cento10 NDR, fits more harmoniously into the frame concept and should be better protected against dirt.

Rear damping with five millimetres of spring travel

The suspension is based on the principle of a small rocker, as we know it from fully mountain bikes. An elastomer rubber acts as a damper, while a spring element from the 3D printer is used to reduce vibrations in the saddle on the top models. According to Wilier, the vertical suspension travel on the rear wheel is a maximum of five millimetres.

An upright riding position should make the Wilier Granturismo SLR the ideal companion for long distances. No other road bike from the traditional Italian manufacturer offers a more upright riding position. Compared to the GardaWilier presented the marathon bike in spring 2022, the stack (height) is taller and the reach (length) is shorter. The maximum tyre clearance is 32 millimetres.

Granturismo SLR: The most important data at a glance

• Frame weight: 1100 grammes
• Tyre clearance: 32 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 586/384 millimetres/1.52
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
• All values are manufacturer's specifications

According to the manufacturer, the carbon frame weighs 1100 grams. The Italians did not specify the weight of the complete bike. The asymmetrically designed fork is intended to minimise twisting between the fork legs when braking. A bridge between the seat stays increases the stiffness of the rear triangle.

Borrowing from the competition bike

As with the top models Filante SLR and Zero SLR, workhorses of the Astana Qazaqstan World Tour team, the cables are fully integrated. In addition, the same mono-cockpit as on the Zero SL and the same aero seatpost as on the Filante SLR are used. The Wilier thus presents itself as a visually appealing racing bike, where you have to look twice to realise that it is an endurance model and not a competition bike.

First ride impression of the Wilier Granturismo SLR

TOUR has already been able to test the new bike extensively and see the suspension concept for itself. "The damping is not really measurable, but in combination with the wide tyres you always have a very safe riding feeling. Even on rough or bumpy surfaces, the damping gives you a feeling of safety and control over the road bike," says TOUR lab manager Christoph Allwang after his test rides. The riding position is ideal for riders who don't need to defy the aerodynamic counter-forces by sitting long and flat.

"The Granturismo is a comfort road bike with a sporty look that doesn't need to shy away from comparison with the professional Filante or Zero workhorses."

Wilier Granturismo SLR: Equipment and prices

Wilier offers the Granturismo SLR in nine equipment variants with top road bike groupsets from Campagnolo (Super Record EPS), Shimano (Ultegra Di2, Dura-Ace Di2) or SRAM (Force eTap, Red eTap). The Wilier marathon road bike is equipped with either an aluminium wheelset from Vision (Trimax 30) or a carbon wheelset from Wilier (SLR38 KC). The price difference between the two wheel options is 1000 euros. Six frame sizes and three colour options (white, red, black) are available.

The Italians' prices for their new marathon road bike are on a par with competition bikes: The "cheapest" versions with Shimano Ultegra Di2 2x12 or SRAM Force eTap AXS 2x12 and Vision aluminium wheels already cost €7400, while the top model of the Wilier Granturismo SLR with Campagnolo Super Record EPS and in-house carbon wheels comes in at a proud €11700.