Wilier - Your experience?

jonno147

Hi
Just joined bikeradar forum today with a view to joining the road bike crew ... after 3-years of road cycling on an MTB!

I am aware of the makes and models of some of the main cycle providers but I'm after you advice on the Italian makers Wilier, as i've spotted a bike (Note: this is purely on looks, very little of the spec makes sense to me).

Does anyone have views, experience of riding or own a Wilier or specifically the Wilier Izoard XP Xenon Racing Bike 2011 Are they a trusted maker? Reliable bikes?

Are the parts easy to acquire?

In your opinion, is this a good model/level to make the transition from MTB to road cycling?

Really looking forward to getting on a road bike very soon - i have a few rides lined up from June onwards, so I need to move fast!!

Thank you for reading this far and any advice (in advance)

jonno147

alfablue

Its a mainstream brand, shouldn't be any reliability problems. Most brands offer something similar at every price point (there are even "look-alikes" between brands imho). Components are alleasy to get, no different to mtb's really, except here you have a Campagnolo groupset, that doesn't really have a prescence in mtb. Just search the forum for the many (fruitless) debates on Shimano v Campag (and now SRAM)! The main issue is whether you like the shifting system of each of the three brands, Shimano with two levers, Campag with the thumb button, and SRAM's "double tap". You really should try them.

As for buying the bike on looks, I understand that, but you should really try some out, and also get properly fitted. The position may not be immediately comfortable coming from an mtb so you need proper advice to avoid an expensive mistake. A good LBS should help you with this (mine will take the bikes back within a week if its not right).

When you are more experienced and know what fits you then mail order bike shopping may be okay, but for now, fit is everything for happy cycling.

It is possible that you might get a better groupset than the xenon on this bike, for a similar price if you look for a Shinmano equipped bike (have a look at Cube bikes?) - oh no, I've done it now! :oops:

What were you expecting to pay?

thegreatdivide

I bought an Izoard XP Xenon at the end of last year. Had a nightmare with the rear derailleur when it sheared off and went into the spokes causing me to fall off in front of a car. ATB were quick to replace the bike and upped the group to Veloce. Queue months of fantastic riding until I had a spill at the start of the month. The bike looks saveable thank fuxk.

Anyway, I love the XP, but if you're going to buy one don't get the Xenon. Find the extra cash and get the Veloce model. If you don't like the silver/white of the Veloce model buy the red/white/black frameset and then build from there - staying clear of Xenon. My Izoard has now been upgraded with Fulcrum Racing 3 wheels, Regal E saddle and FSA SL-K seat post, stem and bars. Looking back I should have just bought the frameset - which is what I've just done with a cracking red and black Cento Uno.

Apart from being great bikes to ride Wilier bikes are great looking machines. The graphics are always spot on and they get a lot of attention

Oh and some 2010 Izoard owners (and some who probably don't even own one) will give you the stock 'it's made of poor quality carbon, it's just a Mortirolo, it weighs too much, it has an aluminium steerer' answer. IMO none of these things matter. I've tried out a 2010 and there was NO noticable difference in ride quality but the 2010 one has a carbon weave showing through.

If you like the bike buy it.

noiseboyfeetman

I bought an Izoard XP Xenon at the end of last year. Had a nightmare with the rear derailleur when it sheared off and went into the spokes causing me to fall off in front of a car.

I've had Xenon on my bike for over a year now, and had no issues whatsoever with rear derailleur issues. I find the shifting good and actually quite crisp for an entry level bike, if you can only afford the Xenon then I wouldn't let the above post put you off.

woolwich

I got a 2011 Xp veloce last December having only used mountain bikes for leisure and commuting previously.
I couldnt be happier with it and it has been faultless in many thousands of miles and comfy during multiple 100 mile plus days.
At this price point i really dont think you'll find a poor bike and until you have put a decent amount of miles in, you'll be hard pushed to appraise differences in them anyway. So the Wilier is as good a place as any to start. Unless you are particularly fit or talented, it will probably be better than you will ever do justice to.
A few general notes though. Just as in the MTB world, the major players, Trek, Giant etc are often able to spec a bike higher for the same money, due to purchasing power. And there quality of finish to me seems a little more consistent. Despite this, I'm very satisfied.
Finally, you move around a lot less on a road bike than off road, so as mentioned getting a fitting/test ride or at least some guidance, I believe is essential for a new comer.You'll work it out for yourself in future.
Good luck.

noiseboyfeetman

getting a fitting/test ride or at least some guidance, I believe is essential for a new comer.

+1 I didn't get a fit when purchasing my first road bike after 15 or so years and it wasn't until recently when buying a new bike and having a proper bike fit that I realised that for over a year my bike was set up incorrectly.

bompington

Is it only me who can only think of the Roadrunner whenever I see the name Wilier?

nochekmate

A lot of money to pay for a bike with Campag Xenon groupset.

Far better value out there on the market (all of which has been covered in previous threads). There have been paintwork issues on Wilier models for some I believe too.

jonno147

Alfablue Thanks for the first reply - £1500 was around the mark I'd hoped to pay...As I've riden an MTB for the last 3-years and most of this is on-road - i hoped this would be a good price to come in on. I didn't realise there was a difference in gear-shift either! I will defintely make sure i get fitted for the bike too. As an Alfa car owner, i was swayed by the Italian maker....Wilier, but not 100% committed to any make.

Thanks for the adivce - thegreatdivide - sorry to hear about the spill, hope the bike is savable and you're back on the road again soon (if you're not already).

noiseboyfeetman - As i mention above as i'm making a transition from MTB to road i wanted a bike of good spec to 'introduce me' to road-cycling, without realising 6 months down the road i want to upgrade and buy better. thanks I have a lot to consider

Cheers woolwich - I'm really looking forward to getting on a decent road bike, I know it's not an easy decision and there are so many good makes and different variations of bike - I foresee another weekend of looking at bikes! Not that i'm complaining nochekmate

Thanks for the speedy responses - it would have taken 2-days to get anything back on an MTB forum

rogerthecat

Hi I bought a Wilier Izoard XP Veloce less than 2 months ago, she has done 1100 miles so far; The frame is very easy to ride, however, the saddle was changed after 1 week, the bar tape has been also changed, initially the chain was slipping in-between the inner and outer rings when down shifting, I took it back to the bike shop and they fixed that problem, other than that if the Groupset is set up correctly it's not bad.

If you are looking for spec at a low price remember something will suffer, the Wiliers have a good frame, not so good everything else (IMO)

So then have a look at the CUBE range and see what you think, you will get a better groupset, wheels, and finishing kit for about the same money, but is the frame lower quality I really could not say.

If I had the option to buy a Wilier again, I would but not that model, I would go for the Izoard XP Centaur. I like the ride quality of the Wilier and ultimately it was bought to put in a lot of miles, with a view to changing the groupset et al over the next couple of years.

noiseboyfeetman

Have you checked out the bike of the year article?

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/s ... ear-29529/

Or even best road bikes under £1000?

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/b ... 000-29719/

nochekmate

PM sent relating to these bikes which for the £1500 figure offer significantly better spec than the Wilier Xenon. I don't know your frame size of course and neither do I know how you feel about buying secondhand (but most owners at this level treat them well!)

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12779066

I cannot vouch for the condition of the above bike (nice groupset, wheels not fantastic) but the one below is my very own, so I know that this one is in showroom condition! Never raced or crashed. Biased I know, but beats the Wilier Xenon in terms of spec (and looks - but that's a personal thing) hands down IMO.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12778836

- and within the PM I also mentioned CUBE as a model worth looking at if you wish to buy new

Either way - good luck

saltydog

I bought the Willier la Triestina a few months ago and a s a compact I have been presently suprised carbon forks and rear stays mirage and veloce with ritchey post and bars, carbon rear mech.
It is very comfortable over the miles, accelerates when required and despite the compact attacks the hills, IMO an all round good . Someone mentioned paitwork issue I just used helicopter tape no problem .

rolf_f

saltydog wrote:

Someone mentioned paitwork issue I just used helicopter tape no problem .

The paintwork issue isn't going to be helped by a bit of helicopter tape!

jonno147

noiseboyfeetman wrote:

Have you checked out the bike of the year article?

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/s ... ear-29529/

Or even best road bikes under £1000?

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/b ... 000-29719/

Thanks - i had a feeling this wasn't going to be easy and the more I read, understand and look in mywallet, it seems to become a more difficult decision. really appreciate the responses on the forum.

hammerite

Agree with avoiding Xenon. The reason (IMO) that the derailleur is more likely to snap off is that the hanger is built in and it's all some sort of plasticy material. I had it on my cross bike and saw why it snapped off very easily.

I upgraded to Veloce, separate hanger, which if it snap shouldn't knacker the derailleur.

I also have an Izoard Centaur, great bike, absolutely love it.

leejdavies

Great.

Had a '08 Mortirolo. The paint did have a defect. It turned yellow. I sent some photos to the bike shop and three weeks later I had a '10 mortirolo. All parts swapped over for free, except £5 for two inner cables!

Faultless service. And a fantastic bike, so if peeps say the 'new' izoard is like the mortirolo. I wouldn't take that as a knock.

Scrumple

Everyone is going to have their favourite.

You can ALWAYS buy a better groupset / wheels / saddle etc. etc.

If you really get the bug you will end up buying a new bike.

Get what you like the look of, at your max budget... but seriously consider used or last year's models. You can always "spend a little more", you have to stop and just buy!

JST

I think the Wilier's are great looking bikes and I always have a perv when I am in my LBS, but alas the bank man says no

bompington wrote:

Is it only me who can only think of the Roadrunner whenever I see the name Wilier?

He he, wasn't that Wile E Coyote

jonno147

Thanks everyone for your advice. It's really helpful to get the +ive and -ive before commiting time and money to something.

I've now bought a bike .. Cube Attempt.

Weight: 8.87kg
Frame: Superlite aluminium
Fork: Dedacciai carbon
Groupset: Shimano 105, Shimano FC-R553 chainset
Wheels: Fulcrum Racing 7

It may not be as high-end as i'd thought i would transition in to the road cycling scene, but my reasoning was justified by the high spec for an affordable amount of money against the risk of me not making best use of the bike in the medium to long term.

It's the 2011 model and is featured in the "...best road bikes under £1000" bikeradar article noiseboyfeetman passed to me - thank you

The bike is ready for Monday - fitted on Wednesday!

Once again, thanks for your advice and i may just post a message or two to say how i'm finding things on my new ROAD BIKE

noiseboyfeetman

That was a quick decision, some people on here question on here which bike to get for months, myself included! You've made a good choice, happy riding.

jonno147

noiseboyfeetman wrote:

That was a quick decision, some people on here question on here which bike to get for months, myself included! You've made a good choice, happy riding.

cheers noiseboyfeetman - impulsive I know, but after my first ride I'm liking the bike - I wish i had time off work to be out now!

rogerthecat

jonno147 wrote:

noiseboyfeetman wrote:

That was a quick decision, some people on here question on here which bike to get for months, myself included! You've made a good choice, happy riding.

cheers noiseboyfeetman - impulsive I know, but after my first ride I'm liking the bike - I wish i had time off work to be out now!

Its light at 5am


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