My Wilier (Updated March 2014)

Calpol

Well after months of procrastination, research, doubt and confusion I finally have a new road bike. It replaces my Peugeot Richard Virenque from !997 which sadly never saw the use it should have but rekindled my love of riding. My criteria for a new bike was as follows

- good fit
- easier gearing (Peugeot was 52/42 7 speed)
- sexy
- decent component spec

Test rode a number of bikes including new Giant Defy, Spesh Allez Comp, Bianchi via Nirone and Trek Madone 3.1. I was also smitten by Ribble's Gran Fondo. However browsing the classifieds I happened across a member selling their Wilier Izoard XP. Size on paper looked ok so I went for a drive to check it out. Bike was in fantastic condition. Aside from the tyres (Shwalbe Ultremo R1s) the bike looked almost new and had obviously been well looked after. The owner kindly let me spin it for a bit on his Turbo to check sizing. Deal was done £850 vs a new list of £1700.

Yesterday I went to Phil Corley in Milton Keynes for a bike fit. To ensure it was well set up for me and that I hadnt bought the wrong size! They measured me up using the proper equipment. To my surprise I was a bit taller than I thought. They fed my measurements into some software and it spat out some recommended dimensions. My own attempt at setting it up wasn't miles out. However The saddle went up and back slightly, cleats moved slightly too. Sat on the arse measurer to make sure saddle was right size and stood on the Spesh foot/arch measurer which showed that I had high arches so I grabbed a set of the Spesh insoles also. A well worth exercise and big thumbs up to Phil Corley.

Anyway had a really nice ride out yesterday, my first proper road ride this year, 30 miles and it was fantastic. Managed to drop the chain at one point and some shifting was a bit sticky but all that was sorted this morning with a bit of fettling. All in all I am very happy with my new ride.

Frame - Full Carbon Monocoque
Fork - Full Carbon
Front Derailleur - Campagnolo Veloce
Rear Derailleur - Campagnolo Veloce
Number of Gears - 20
Shifters - Campagnolo Veloce
Chainset - FSA Gossamer
Chainrings - 50/34
Bottom Bracket - FSA Gossamer
Cassette - Campagnolo Veloce 11-25 tooth
Chain - Campagnolo Veloce
Pedals - n/a
Front Brake - FSA
Rear Brake - FSA
Brake Levers - Campagnolo Veloce / Integrated
Handlebars - Ritchey Comp
Stem - Ritchey Comp
Headset - FSA Integrated
Rims - Fulcrum R5
Front Hub - Fulcrum R5
Rear Hub - Fulcrum R5
Spokes - Fulcrum R5
Front Tyre - Schwalbe Ultremo R1
Rear Tyre - Schwalbe Ultremo R1
Saddle - Selle Italia SL
Seatpost - Ritchey Comp

http://www.flickr.com/photos/78350858@N04/7014732217/

rake

not too bad.

brucey72

That is a good buy and a nice bike. My Wilier Izoard had its first outing of the year at the weekend and it was an absolute joy to ride.

RideOnTime

nice...

ilm_zero7

Nice - just agreed a swap plus cash to upgrade my only non-Wilier - these bikes are infectious....Calpol - start thinking of the next one

Calpol

ILM Zero7 wrote:

Nice - just agreed a swap plus cash to upgrade my only non-Wilier - these bikes are infectious....Calpol - start thinking of the next one

Thanks for that. I am really pleased with it. Have ridden it 5 times in the last week and it feels good. Haven't put a computer on it yet as I just want to enjoy riding and not comparing speeds etc yet. It certainly is easier to climb out of the saddle on. I am not sure I will be emulating your collection just yet. They look great btw. I was close to going for a Ribble Gran Fondo but I am pleased I got the Wilier instead.

Mad Roadie

I will get a Wiler one day - what differentiates them is even the older ones look cool - italian design, and the best graphics dept in cycling IMO

Calpol

Updated pics with new wheels. Still loving this bike 2500 miles on.

Cleat Eastwood

I prefer the red saddle - looks great with the red hudz. Did you fit the hudz yourself or did it come with them

Calpol

Cleat Eastwood wrote:

I prefer the red saddle - looks great with the red hudz. Did you fit the hudz yourself or did it come with them

Red hudz came with it. See what you mean about the saddle. Might give it another go but find the Romin pretty comfortable for my ass.

RideOnTime

good upgrade...

Boyfrom64

I really do like the look of Willier bikes.

I can understand why you thought about buying a Ribble Gran Fondo as they look similar but for me you made the right choice in going with the Willier.

lostboysaint

Very nice, but then I am slightly biased!

not-another-hillǃ

very nice - but I also am biased - I have an 2010 Izoard....

My frame is getting a bit "yellowy" - a common problem and I was thinking of having it resprayed white with black highlights, and yours has given me a good idea of what it would look like

Welcome to the club and enjoy...as ILM says, these are infectious

Calpol

Not-another-hill! wrote:

very nice - but I also am biased - I have an 2010 Izoard....

My frame is getting a bit "yellowy" - a common problem and I was thinking of having it resprayed white with black highlights, and yours has given me a good idea of what it would look like

Welcome to the club and enjoy...as ILM says, these are infectious

There was a thread on here a few months ago where someone resprayed his. The end result was stunning. I will search for it and link. The owner did it a dark, copper type finish but with Wilier decals.

Found it
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12915018&p=18245362&hilit=izoard#p18245362

tlw1

Looks good, but another wilier fanboy here

Calpol

Frame has been hung up over winter, having been stripped and used as an organ donor to a FM029. Now she is rebuilt and ready for some cleaner roads

Changes to most of the kit.

Chainset - Campagnolo Chorus Compact
Shifters - Campagnolo Chorus
Front Mech - Campagnolo Athena
Rear Mech - Campagnolo Athena
Cassette - Chorus 12-27
Bars, Seatpost and Stem - Deda Zero 100
Saddle - Specialized Romin Evo
Cages - Elite
Pedal - Shimano 105

ilm_zero7

Nice - i much prefer painted frames to the nondescript carbon black