Wilier Cento Uno or Imperiale

NeilMick
NeilMick Posts: 98
edited May 2012 in Road buying advice
If you had the choice of the 2 below which would you choose and why?

Imperiale £2999
Headset Ritchey Pro
Rear Hub Fulcrum R1
Front Hub Fulcrum R1
Spokes Fulcrum R1
Rims Fulcrum R1
Shift Levers Chorus 11 Speed
Front Derailleur Chorus 11 Speed
Rear Derailleur Chorus 11 Speed
Cassette Chorus 12-25 11 Speed
Chain Chorus 11 Speed
Crankset Chorus Ultra-torque 50/34
Saddle Selle Italia SL
Bar Ritchey Pro
Stem Ritchey Pro Wet Black Alu
Brakes Chorus
Brake Levers Chorus

Cento Uno £2600
Headset Ritchey Carbon
Rear Hub Fulcrum R3
Front Hub Fulcrum R3
Spokes Fulcrum R3
Rims Fulcrum R3
Shift Levers Centaur Red 10 Speed
Front Derailleur Centaur Red 10 Speed
Rear Derailleur Centaur Red 10 Speed
Cassette Centaur 10 Speed
Chain Centaur 10 Speed
Crankset Centaur Red 10 Speed 50/34
Saddle Selle Italia SL
Bar Ritchey WCS
Stem Ritchey WCS
Brakes Centaur Red
Brake Levers Centaur Red

Comments

  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    The Cento uno is the best frame Wilier do afaiK. Love riding that model, tried an Imperiale and a Gran Turismo, which was pretty laid back btw, but for me the CU would get it. Best thing is go and test them both!
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    I am hopelessly biased as I own a Cento Uno, but I can honestly say I love every minute of riding it. I have owned a Cervelo RS and a Colnago CX-1, the Cento blows them both away in terms of handling and power transfer. The BB area is stiff and great for blasting out of the saddle, but it's the front end that puts a smile on my face. The handling is stunning, you can hold seriously tight bends. The comfort is also surprisingly good too.

    I have a soft spot for most things Wilier, but have always found the Imperiale a tad fugly!! The only pity about your two options is the groupset - a switch would be awesome. That said I'd still go for the Cento and use the saving so upgrade the wheels if you can.
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    Another Cento Uno owner here. It’s an incredible frame and as stated above the power transfer is ruddy amazing through that massive bottom bracket!!! I’m 5’ 7” and no power house on the flat but the thing takes off when I give it full gas. I love it most on the climbs though. Sit back in the saddle and up you go!

    Looks wise it’s a stunner regardless of colourway chosen and photos don’t do it justice. It’s mix of curves and squarish sections and Wilier have the best designers in the business IMO. Took mine to the Etape Caledonia this year and got loads of admiring comments (which was nice).

    Agreed re the lower group set but you need to remember that you’re buying a Cento Uno frame – a 100% classic bit of modern bike engineering and something the Imperial will never be (even though it’s a good frame). Buy it and upgrade as and when you can, but Centaur is a solid group set and Racing 3’s are great wheels so they will definitely do the frame justice. I’ve got both on my Izoard XP (yip I love Wilier bikes).

    Buy the Cento Uno!
  • NeilMick
    NeilMick Posts: 98
    Thanks,

    I was swayed more towards the Cento Uno anyway. :lol:

    I'm the same height as you at 5'7" so was just wondering out of curiosity which size frame you have?

    Neil
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    I have the Small frame and run it with a 110mm stem, 170mm cranks and a 5mm spacer under the stem. Had a bike fit done before setting it up as I was worried about cutting the post to the wrong length, but even if you do make a mistake the 'stubby' post gives you a bit of leeway. Also, if you ever want to sell it on (madness!) and the buyer needs more seatpost height they can chop the whole thing off and fit a standard post with collar - smart thinking from the Wilier boys ;-)

    Feel free to PM me if you need any more set-up info Neil.
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    thegreatdivide wrote:
    I have the Small frame and run it with a 110mm stem, 170mm cranks and a 5mm spacer under the stem. Had a bike fit done before setting it up as I was worried about cutting the post to the wrong length, but even if you do make a mistake the 'stubby' post gives you a bit of leeway. Also, if you ever want to sell it on (madness!) and the buyer needs more seatpost height they can chop the whole thing off and fit a standard post with collar - smart thinking from the Wilier boys ;-)

    Feel free to PM me if you need any more set-up info Neil.

    You can also by a taller version of the stubby seat cap from Ritchey, if you need an extra cm or two.
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    NeilMick wrote:
    Thanks,

    I was swayed more towards the Cento Uno anyway. :lol:

    I'm the same height as you at 5'7" so was just wondering out of curiosity which size frame you have?

    Neil

    Which colour are you looking at, just out of interest?
  • NeilMick
    NeilMick Posts: 98
    White/Black/Red
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    NeilMick wrote:
    White/Black/Red

    Ah, a classic. I have the matt black and I love it dearly, but cannot help my wandering eye looking at the other options!
  • NeilMick
    NeilMick Posts: 98
    Some of the other colours like the orange and green are crazy!
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    yeah, I spotted the brazil colour on the road the other day - looked better in the flesh than I would have thought!
  • ilm_zero7
    ilm_zero7 Posts: 2,213
    I have both. The Cento Uno is a super supple ride. great for long rides and with the right wheels an excellent climbing bike. I also have Racing 1's for it - but much prefer the Shamal Ultras. That said, I bought the imperiale for lots of reasons - I reckon its faster in a straight line, and more beautiful looking. you wont regret either, but buy the Cento first.
    http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=3370a&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
    Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR2
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    ILM Zero7 wrote:
    I have both. The Cento Uno is a super supple ride. great for long rides and with the right wheels an excellent climbing bike. I also have Racing 1's for it - but much prefer the Shamal Ultras. That said, I bought the imperiale for lots of reasons - I reckon its faster in a straight line, and more beautiful looking. you wont regret either, but buy the Cento first.

    You have a Zero 7 too?
  • ilm_zero7
    ilm_zero7 Posts: 2,213
    yep. its a bit on an addiction - i have explored Felt and Cervelo, but ended up coming back
    http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=3370a&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
    Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR2
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    ILM Zero7 wrote:
    yep. its a bit on an addiction - i have explored Felt and Cervelo, but ended up coming back

    Fair play to you - money no object there would be one in my collection too. It's the first of the 'super light' generation of frames that I have actually thought would be lovely to have a go on, let alone own.
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    Does anyone know of any good deals on these frames :?:
  • ilm_zero7
    ilm_zero7 Posts: 2,213
    ShutUpLegs wrote:
    Does anyone know of any good deals on these frames :?:
    have you looked here:?
    https://www.bikebuster.com/Bikes-race/wilier.html

    wow, like the orange one for E2,900
    http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=3370a&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
    Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR2
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    ^
    Thanks for the link, may be that I go 2nd at those prices :)

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