Wilier Cento Uno vs S-Works Tarmac SL4

delvsie
delvsie Posts: 21
edited August 2012 in Road buying advice
Hi, I am looking to buy a new frameset. I have a Specialized Allez Elite and have been looking at either the Wilier Cento Uno Sl or the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL4. They both have good reviews but I would like to hear from someone who has ridden both. Any advise would be gladly received.

Thanks

Comments

  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    The 2013 Wilier range looks pretty damn smart
  • LiberataERedenta
    LiberataERedenta Posts: 73
    I've ridden the SL3, the SL4, the Cento1, the Cento1 SL and the new 2013 Cento1 SR (as well as the Zero.7).

    The best out of all of them IMO for my riding is the standard original Cento1.

    I ride fast and long and love descents. I prefer smoothness over harshness. The original Cento1 has the perfect balance of all attributes I need whilst still be inspiring to ride and a joy to own. Geometry is perfect for me too, the new SR is too head-down and is harsh compared to the original. SL is same geo but harsher, yet slightly lighter. Original is best for me.
  • delvsie
    delvsie Posts: 21
    Hi LiberataERedenta. You state that you like to ride fast and long. What sort of distances are you doing and at wgat average mph? The reason I ask is that I too like to ride long and fast. I have ridden a friends SL4 and must say that it was awesome. It handled extremely well and responded exceptionally to any acceleration.
  • LiberataERedenta
    LiberataERedenta Posts: 73
    Usually 40-60 mile rides in the week and around 100 mile rides at weekends. Not sure on average speeds but not hanging about, try to keep the pace up as riding slow is boring!

    The SL4 is excellent indeed, pretty much the same as the SL3 though, both great bikes, but the Cento1 is definitely comfier, has better geometry for me and is a nicer bike than any Specialized. I'm not an S hater, I love Specialized and I think they are brilliant bikes, but Wilier just have so much class.

    Performance-wise a good rider will be just as fast on either, but the Cento is smoother, no doubt, so you'll be fresher on the Wilier than the Spesh. The Cento1 SL is not as smooth as the standard Cento though, the SL is quite rattly... a bit like a Tarmac!

    To be fair you can't go wrong with either, ride em and pick what suits/fits you best! What I say doesn't matter!
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    LiberataERedenta wrote:
    I've ridden the SL3, the SL4, the Cento1, the Cento1 SL and the new 2013 Cento1 SR (as well as the Zero.7).

    The best out of all of them IMO for my riding is the standard original Cento1.

    I ride fast and long and love descents. I prefer smoothness over harshness. The original Cento1 has the perfect balance of all attributes I need whilst still be inspiring to ride and a joy to own. Geometry is perfect for me too, the new SR is too head-down and is harsh compared to the original. SL is same geo but harsher, yet slightly lighter. Original is best for me.

    +1 to that. I cannot comment on the other frame sets but can tell you how much of a joy my Cento Uno (2012) is to ride. It's as fast and responsive as I could ever hope for, but manages to remain comfortable for hours in the saddle. I am perhaps biased but don't think the new SR version is anywhere near as handsome. I'm sure the Tarmac is a great ride but for me they lack any visual impact, and for my hard-earned I want it to look great as well as ride well.

    Nice position to be in though, lot's of choice at your price bracket.
  • delvsie
    delvsie Posts: 21
    Thanks LiberataERedenta. It's always good to get feedback from those that have experienced riding different bikes. I do have a Litespeed Siena, which is a comfortable ride, although not as rigid as the SL4. I think I might look at the Cento Uno SL, as I do like the harshness of the SL4. Thanks agian for your comments.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Ridden a Cento Uno and it is one fine ride, definitely one of the best monocoque frames out there, a real 'ride all day' frame.
  • LiberataERedenta
    LiberataERedenta Posts: 73
    Remember that smoothness often equals speed. The bikes that feel stiffest are not necessarily quicker on real roads. Just because a bike is comfortable, doesn't mean it's slower or robbing the rider of power/speed.

    The standard Cento climbs like a squirrel... power transfer is very immediate.
  • ilm_zero7
    ilm_zero7 Posts: 2,213
    delvsie wrote:
    as I do like the harshness of the SL4. .

    I would go for the Wilier (obviously) but if you like harsh, then try a Zero 7 - with climbing wheels it would be brilliant, or the Superleggera Racing - if you can still find one, its my best climbing bike
    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
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    Cento Uno owner and lover here. I can echo the all day riding comment above. Just rode 109 miles on Saturday and climbed over 2000 meters. The bike was born do this stuff. Power transfer is superb both on the flat and climbing. I’m lucky enough to have a few road bikes and the Cento is just leagues ahead of the others. It’s also IMO one of the most beautiful bikes around. The mix of curves and squares is pretty damn sexy and the graphics are cool.

    Sadly Wilier have stopped making the original and this new SR abomination has been introduced for 2013 (which had a major failure during the Tour – can’t remember the riders name but the bike fuxked up big time). I would try and source a 2012 ‘classic’ or SL frame.

    Re the speed you get out of it – that’s got nowt to do with the bike. Your legs make the thing go.

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