Wilier Triestina Imperiale Chorus

The Imperiale is Wilier's latest offering in the highly competitive market of carbon dream bikes. With this bike Wilier attempt to give you all your cake and let you eat it too. The Imperiale combines, performance, aerodynamics. Sounds like a super high end sportive bike?  Wilier don't believe in the idea of  "sportive" bikes, well they didn't until they announced the Gran Turismo for 2011 another model that's all about performance and comfort and is "ideal for Sportive/Granfondo riding but is definitely aimed at performance riders" says Wilier.

Make of that what you will the Imperiale already covers similar territory, it's 7.26Kg  combination of fast and comfortable Italian carbon built up with top end componentry - perfect for long, non competitive, organised rides with little number boards and cake stops. And yes, it's race capable too although tellingly Lampre, the Pro Tour Team supplied by Wilier opt for the all out performance of the Cento.

The Imperiale with help of John Cobb (cycling aerodynamicist to the stars) tries to crack the aero road concept. You can argue till you're blue in the face about the importance of frame aerodynamics in a road bike but there are some genuinely interesting shapes and forms on the frame. The coefficient of drag we can't tell you but it looks slippery which is half the battle won for most people. The frame and fork ride superbly well with no reason to find fault in either throughout test. A very well designed back end gives the feeling of all day comfort matched with stiffness suitable for the summer crit season.

The geometry gives a great position for all day rides and was a little more relaxed than my usual race set up. Arguably negating any gain from aero frameset but resulting in a responsive and positive handling.

Regardless of where you sit in the SRAM, Campag, Shimano debate the Chorus groupo is a solid performer. Not ground breakingly light but the 11speed worked well and is particularly impressive at extreme chain lines. The Fulcrum wheels complete the Italian line up and were exceedingly impressive if again a little heavy at this price. Componentry wise you might be getting a bit more for your money if you look elsewhere - £3,300 and you will be riding away on a Dura-Ace spec’d Trek Madone with £950 to spend on the wife and kids, or a trip to the south of France with your new bike. As a whole the Wilier comes together with great effect giving a really impressive ride with added style points for the full Italian build.

A couple of niggles with the bike - why Wilier feel the need to write "wind friendly" on the top tube goodness knows. I get the sentiment but it makes absolutely no sense and sounds more like it's referring to flatulence or the weather than top flight aerodynamics. Also the Ritchey stem came loose three times initially - not usual Ritchey behaviour but if you draw a comparison to the automotive industry you wouldn't be too chuffed if the steering wheel came loose on your Ferrari.

As an aside:

Wilier are not available online so you will have to find your local Wilier dealer. The integrated seatmast will need to be cut to size by them using a special guide supplied by Wilier. I had just had a professional bike fit a few days before so had all my measurements to hand, even so the LBS I brought it to were nervous about cutting such an expensive frame (perhaps understandably as they hadn't sold it to me). Also be aware that the standard Selle Italia SL saddle sits very high off the rails so you will want to check it suits you before you cut the post down as you may find it cut too short if you want to change saddles later.

Verdict

A comfortable and fast Italian thoroughbred with a fantastic frameset. For those who can afford this is a fantastic bike for the sportive market, amateur racer and the style concious. Altough tipping the scales at 7.5kilos and costing £4250 you might find yourselve tempted to look elsewhere there are lighter and cheaper option.