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review

Wilier Filante SLR 2021

8
£10,680.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Lightweight aero superbike that offers quick handling and an excellent ride quality
Beautifully reactive
Lightweight
Aero claims
Could do with a power meter
Weight: 
7,044g
Contact: 
road.cc Recommends

This product has been selected to feature in road.cc recommends. That means it's not just scored well, but we think it stands out as special. Go to road.cc recommends

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The Wilier Filante is a lightweight aero road bike that offers a reactive performance, quick handling, and a surprisingly comfortable ride. If Wilier is to be believed, it's aerodynamically efficient across a range of real-world conditions too. Okay, the Filante should be pretty amazing given the price, but this one really is a bit special. Here's why...

First, the Filante's acceleration is really impressive. From a standing start, getting up to speed after a tight turn, or simply when you're trying to put some daylight between you and the rest of the bunch, you're rewarded with easy speed when you flick the pedals. Let's not over-egg it, but this bike feels taut and keen when you hit the power, rather than sloppy and reluctant. If someone tries to get the jump on you, they'd better have planned it well because the Filante is up for getting on their wheel in an instant.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

You definitely can't judge bikes on the scales, but when a disc brake bike in an XL size weighs just a whisker over 7kg – and Wilier claims a weight of 870g for the frame and 360g for the fork – you'd be mad not to take notice, especially when it's an aero bike.

2021 Wilier Filante - top tube 1.jpg

A lightweight aero bike, you say? Or, if you flip your perspective, an aero lightweight bike? The latest versions of the Giant TCR, Trek Emonda and Specialized Tarmac all seek to combine aero efficiency and a light weight. It's the new black.

2021 Wilier Filante - riding 4.jpg

Aerodynamics is a tricky old thing. If you really want to know about it you have to take a bike to the wind tunnel, and that's neither cheap nor convenient. Failing that, you can listen to what the brand in question has to say and see whether you're convinced. So what does Wilier claim for the Filante?

> Lightweight vs aero…

Wilier uses truncated NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) aerofoils for the Filante SLR's tube profiles, as it does for the Cento10Pro aero road bike. There's nothing unusual in that. Bike manufacturers are always taking an aerofoil shape and chopping the tail off so that the airflow behaves almost as if it's still there, while saving material and weight, and avoiding handling issues. It's standard practice. The difference, according to Wilier, is what it has done with the cutoff at the rear of the tube.

2021 Wilier Filante - down tube.jpg

Wilier has softened that cut. Rather than being totally squared off, the edges are more round. It's not a gentle curve back there but it's not abrupt either.

2021 Wilier Filante - head tube.jpg

What difference does it make? Wilier says that in the real world, where the wind comes from all directions, the boundary layer – the wind particles closest to the frame – adhere more to the profile than on the Cento10Pro. The idea is that as the yaw angle changes – yaw resulting from the bike/cyclist's direction and speed, and the wind angle and speed – the frame maintains good aero characteristics.

2021 Wilier Filante - riding 2.jpg

Wilier has also made the Filante SLR's fork legs wider than most – 7mm more than those of the Cento10Pro – and the rear triangle is similarly wide. Look from the front of the bike and you can see that the stays are completely hidden by the fork. Obviously, this isn't anything to do with making it look neat and tidy, it's all about how the tubing is presented to the wind, the aim being to reduce drag.

2021 Wilier Filante - front profile.jpg

Wilier says that it tested the Filante SLR in the wind tunnel at yaw angles from +20° to -20° and that the new design results in significant aero improvements over the Cento10 Pro in real-world situations. However, it doesn't offer stats comparing the Filante with that bike or with rivals from other brands.

2021 Wilier Filante - riding 3.jpg

Granted, we always take those stats with a hefty pinch of salt anyway because, funnily enough, every brand's figures prove beyond doubt that their own bike is far and away the most efficient in the known universe. Definitely. But it would still be interesting to see Wilier's workings out and to know what 'significant' means in terms of the drag coefficient, watts or time saved. We asked, of course, but Wilier isn't up for sharing that info.

2021 Wilier Filante - bars.jpg

While we're talking about the tube shaping, Wilier says it's this more rounded profile at the rear that keeps the weight down. Less material is required than for a sharp cornered design, and it's apparently easier to avoid excess resin that would add unnecessary grams.

2021 Wilier Filante - seat stays 2.jpg

The Filante SLR is made from the same materials as Wilier's existing superlight Zero SLR: HUS-Mod carbon fibre and liquid crystal polymer. What's HUS-Mod carbon fibre? Wilier says it's a blend of high-quality fibres – again, it's tight-lipped about exactly what's in there – and that the liquid crystal polymer helps improve the absorption of vibration.

2021 Wilier Filante - bottom bracket.jpg

Whatever the secret sauce, the Filante is an absolute delight out on the road. As well as being light, it feels stiff. Launch your biggest out-of-the-saddle attack and it remains tight and rigid around the bottom bracket while the fork and stocky head tube keep everything firmly under control up front. Fast cornering feels fabulous and the quick handling allows you to chop and change your line with the minimum of effort.

2021 Wilier Filante - riding 6.jpg

In terms of geometry, you'll be expecting an aggressive setup, and that's exactly what you get. As mentioned, I've been riding the XL Filante and this size comes with a 57cm effective top tube, a 54cm seat tube (centre of BB to top), and a 16.6cm head tube. The stack is 571mm and the reach is 395mm, giving a stack/reach of 1.45. That's not a crazy figure compared with other race bikes of this size, but you can easily get a low and aero ride position.

2021 Wilier Filante.jpg

Adding/removing two-part headset spacers doesn't require recabling and the stem section of the excellent one-piece Filante bar (365g) comes in five different lengths so you can get your position dialled (Wilier's AccuFit table allows you to replicate the position of your current bike easily).

2021 Wilier Filante - stem and spacers.jpg

Perhaps less expected is the level of comfort the Filante provides. Okay, I say 'less expected' but if you've already taken a look at the tyres you're not going to be shocked. Wilier specs Vittoria Corsa Speeds in a 28mm width, and fitted to the brand's own SLR42KC wheels (with a 21mm internal width), they actually measure a whopping 29.5mm across.

2021 Wilier Filante - tyre.jpg

Wilier says you can go up to a maximum of 30mm tyres but, as you can see from the pictures, an extra 2mm over what's currently on the bike wouldn't take up all the available space by a long way. I can't really go against Wilier's official advice and suggest that you could fit 32s for some sort of weird caper but, you know, between you and me, you could.

2021 Wilier Filante - fork clearance.jpg

The 42mm-deep rims are very much a U-shape, with an external width of 28mm and a blunt spoke bed. They arrived set up tubeless and the only attention they needed during the month-long test period was a top-up of sealant. Again, some wind tunnel data would strengthen their cred, or at least allow you to justify the expense to your better half and mates.

2021 Wilier Filante - rim.jpg

Mavic's Speed Release thru-axles live up to their name by being quick to use, and their integrated torque control system means that you can't over-tighten them – they just click and refuse to screw in any further when you reach the right point.

2021 Wilier Filante - fork detail.jpg

The Filante SLR is available as a frameset with the integrated handlebar/stem for £4,790. Wilier says that 'this includes the new 14% Rules of Origin duty plus the extra customs clearance costs in place following Brexit'.

2021 Wilier Filante - bars 2.jpg

Build options

Various Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo complete builds are available. Not surprisingly, they're all pretty high end. Our review bike is Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 all the way and everything worked perfectly throughout testing.

2021 Wilier Filante - front mech.jpg

My only quibble with the build was with the choice of a compact 50/34-tooth chainset matched up to the 11-30t cassette. The 50 x 11 gear is large enough in most situations, but if you've just dropped 10 grand on an Italian superbike it'll break your heart to watch everyone else go sailing off into the sunset on a long, fast descent as your legs blur in a vain attempt to stay in touch.

2021 Wilier Filante - cassette.jpg

Handily, the chainring size, crank length and cassette size can all be specified at the time of order through a Wilier retailer, as can the handlebar width and stem length, and colour. I'd be going for a 53/39T or at least a 52/36T.

2021 Wilier Filante - crank.jpg

Oh, and a bonus quibble: a lot of other bikes at this price – and some considerably cheaper – are specced with power meters these days. It's a very different brand, of course, but the £9,999 Giant TCR Advanced SL 0 Disc gets a Quarq DZero power meter, while the £7,250 Specialized Tarmac SL7 Pro has a SRAM Force eTap AXS groupset, including a power meter. You could point to plenty of £10,000 road bikes that don't come with a power meter, of course, but this might be a consideration for you.

Value

Value is always a tricky one, and Wilier is always going to struggle in this area compared with global giants like, um, Giant, Specialized, Trek, and so on. That said, the new Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 Dura-Ace Di2 that Stu reviewed – and loved – last year was £10,500. That bike is chock-full of Specialized's latest tech, and it does include a dual-sided power meter, but the price has now increased to £11,500 – £820 more than the Filante SLR.

The £9,999 Giant TCR Advanced SL 0 Disc I mentioned a minute ago was £9,499 when I reviewed it in July. The Giant is still less expensive than many similarly specced rivals.

> Ultimate superbikes: 14 of the world's most expensive road bikes

If you want to stick to comparisons with other Italian brands, the Bianchi Specialissima Dura-Ace Di2, a lightweight bike rather than an aero bike, with Vision SC40 Disc brake wheels, is £10,500 – so pretty similar to the Wilier Filante.

Summing up

We'd be happier if Wilier backed up its aero claims with some statistical evidence, but there's no denying that the Filante SLR is an incredibly sharp bike, combining enviable frame stiffness with its light weight. It also offers an exceptional ride quality. If you're lucky enough to be in the market for a race-focused superbike, the Filante is right up there mixing it with the best from big-name brands, and it should be on your shortlist. It would certainly be on mine.

Verdict

Lightweight aero superbike that offers quick handling and an excellent ride quality

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Wilier Filante SLR

Size tested: XL

About the bike

List the components used to build up the bike.

Wilier lists:

Drivetrain SHIMANO DURA ACE DI2 R9170

Wheelset WILIER TRIESTINA SLR42KC CARBON DISC

Frame FILANTE SLR - CARBON MONOCOQUE HUS MOD + CRYSTAL LIQUID POLYMER

Fork FILANTE SLR - CARBON MONOCOQUE HUS MOD + CRYSTAL LIQUID POLYMER

Handlebar FILANTE BAR INTEGRATED CARBON

Headset WTP-BEARING-SS (UPPER) + MR137 (LOWER)

Shifters SHIMANO DURA ACE DI2 ST-R9170

Brakes SHIMANO DURA ACE BR-R9170

Rotors SHIMANO DURA ACE CENTER LOCK SM-RT900 160 MM / 140 MM

Front derailleur SHIMANO DURA ACE DI2 FD-R9150

Rear derailleur SHIMANO DURA ACE DI2 RD-R9150

Crankset SHIMANO DURA ACE FC-R9100 50-34T

BB Shell SHIMANO DURA ACE PRESS FIT SM-BB92-41B

Cassette SHIMANO DURA ACE CS-R900 11-30T

Chain SHIMANO DURA ACE CN-HG901-11

Tyres VITTORIA CORSA SPEED 700X28

Saddle SELLE ITALIA SLR BOOST SUPERFLOW

Seatmast FILANTE CUSTOM MADE -15 MM/0 MM

Thru axle MAVIC SPEED RELEASE 12X100 FRONT - 12X142 REAR

Tape PROLOGO ONE TOUCH

Tell us what the bike is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

Wilier says, "The new master in the art of aero. The natural evolution of Cento10PRO, our high-end aerodynamic bike used by professionals.

"Filante SLR is an extremely lightweight aerodynamic bicycle with a significantly improved stiffness to weight ratio. We used the same materials and technology as in the construction of the Wilier 0 SLR.

"The result is a top of the range, aerodynamic frame that complements our pure ascent bike used by Astana Premier Tech and Total Direct Energie."

Where does this model sit in the range? Tell us briefly about the cheaper options and the more expensive options

The Filante sits at the top of Wilier's range with the Zero SLR lightweight road bike.

Frame and fork

Overall rating for frame and fork
 
9/10

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

The finish is sumptuous. Yes, sumptuous! That red is really deep and just... mwah! Most people love it. Other colours are available but this one is a beaut.

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

Both the frame and fork use what Wilier calls its HUS-Mod carbon fibre with liquid crystal polymer. Wilier is cagey about what's in HUS-Mod but says it's a blend of high-quality fibres.

Wilier says that the liquid crystal polymer is included to improve the absorption of vibration.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

It's very much a race/performance geometry.

You can have a low front end if you want to ditch the spacers and get super-aero. You can choose from various stem lengths and handlebar widths to get the exact position you're after.

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

The stack is quite low for a bike of this size.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

Surprisingly comfortable, largely thanks to 28mm tubeless tyres that measured 29.5mm on these rims.

Wilier reckons that liquid polymer in the frame and fork helps to absorb vibration too.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

Yes, stiff at both the bottom bracket and the fork/head tube.

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

Highly efficient.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so was it a problem?

A touch but not a worry.

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively neutral or unresponsive? Lively and manoeuvrable.

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

It's a bike you can chuck around easily from line to line.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

I felt really comfortable throughout, largely thanks to those tyres. I love the Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow saddle too; it's one of my favourites.

Rate the bike for efficiency of power transfer:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for acceleration:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for sprinting:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for high speed stability:
 
7/10
Rate the bike for cruising speed stability:
 
7/10
Rate the bike for low speed stability:
 
7/10
Rate the bike for flat cornering:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for cornering on descents:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for climbing:
 
8/10

The drivetrain

Rate the drivetrain for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the drivetrain for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for value:
 
6/10

Wheels and tyres

Rate the wheels for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the wheels for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels for value:
 
8/10
Rate the tyres for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the tyres for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the tyres for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the tyres for comfort:
 
9/10
Rate the tyres for value:
 
7/10

Controls

Rate the controls for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the controls for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for value:
 
6/10

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes

Would you consider buying the bike? Yes

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes

How does the price compare to that of similar bikes in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's a similar price to the Bianchi Specialissima Dura-Ace Di2 (£10,500), which is a lightweight bike rather than an aero bike, with Vision SC40 Disc brake wheels.

The new Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 Dura-Ace Di2 that Stu reviewed – and loved – last year was £10,500. That bike is chock-full of Specialized's latest tech, and it does include a dual-sided power meter, but the price has now increased to £11,500 – £820 more than the Filante SLR.

The Giant TCR Advanced SL 0 Disc that I reviewed last July was £9,499 although it has now gone up to £9,999. It is still less expensive than many similarly specced rivals.

Rate the bike overall for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the bike overall for value:
 
6/10

Use this box to explain your overall score

Some of the bigger brands offer better value but this is an amazingly good bike; the performance is exceptional. If I was going to spend this kind of money on a bike, I'd definitely be considering it very seriously.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 48  Height: 190cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

Add new comment

10 comments

Avatar
OnYerBike | 3 years ago
1 like

I saw one of these 'in the wild' a few weeks ago and it looked gorgeous - I don't think any of the bikes from Specialized, Giant etc. come even close on the looks department. I can't afford one and certainly couldn't make the best use of one if I could, but I really want one!

Avatar
Nick22 | 3 years ago
0 likes

So, this bike as well gets the usual overall 8/10 rating, like 15 of the last 25 road bikes. (with the worst beeing 7/10 and the best 9/10) 

You should really reconsider your rating if almost every bike gets the same overall rating. 

I know there is a more detailed rating as well, but the overall rating is what makes the first and biggest impression. 

And even your detailed rating doesnt look to be very consistent. 

On one bike the 105 drivetrain gets 9/10 on another 8/10 and the Dura Ace on this bike doesn´t even get a better rating in performance and weight then a 105.

 

Avatar
Matt Nash | 3 years ago
0 likes

Getting sick of seeing bikes at £10,000 plus now. Seriously when did cycling become so ridiculous ?

Avatar
RoubaixCube replied to Matt Nash | 3 years ago
1 like

Nobody said you had to buy them though. Barely anyone needs a "superbike" but they exist for people that have the money and think they do either because they are a pro racer or have more money then sense.

Why do car manufacturers sell cars that cost almost £1mil knowing that 99% of people will never be able to afford one in their lifetime? 

Cant afford the most expensive option? Thats fine. There are loads of other options and choices to meet everyones price point.

Avatar
Sriracha replied to RoubaixCube | 3 years ago
1 like

And I guess if you are not buying a car you'll have that money to spend on a bike, if it floats your boat.

Avatar
RoubaixCube replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
0 likes

then that would make it an impractical use of money.

Avatar
Glov Zaroff replied to RoubaixCube | 3 years ago
1 like

'more money than sense' - you realise that posting this makes you the snob. I can guarantee the person that can afford to buy one of these is a hell of a lot more sensible than you. That's why they can afford life's luxuries. 

Avatar
RoubaixCube replied to Glov Zaroff | 3 years ago
0 likes

you are free to have your opinion, just like i am to have mine.

Avatar
Tinbob49 replied to Glov Zaroff | 3 years ago
0 likes
Monty Fark wrote:

'more money than sense' - you realise that posting this makes you the snob. I can guarantee the person that can afford to buy one of these is a hell of a lot more sensible than you. That's why they can afford life's luxuries. 

 

🤣🤣🤣 you're equating having money with being sensible. Expert level trolling (if you're not being sarcastic)...

Avatar
Rapha Nadal replied to Matt Nash | 3 years ago
1 like

Don't be sad just because some of us can afford this bike.  I wouldn't buy it personally but wouldn't begrudge somebody who chose to buy. 

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