Wilier GTR v Focus Cayo Evo v Bianchi Sempre Pro

Philby

I'm looking to upgrade from my Bianchi Via Nirone which has served me well for over 5 year to something a bit lighter, and racier, and making the Bianchi my winter bike. I intend to get some lighter wheels e.g. Mavic Ksyrium Equipe, for the new bike and swap the wheels on the new bike onto the Via Nirone. Budget is £2k - £2.5k. I've narrowed my choices down to the following though open to other suggestions:

Wilier GTR - Ultegra £2199 - http://www.wilierbikes.co.uk/2014/produ ... 51d8385988
+ve's - looks gorgeous, lovely ride though would need to change the bars for some wider ones
-ve's - poor wheels, Wilier / FSA brakes, would ideally like it with Athena but would be 10 week wait and cost lots more

Focus Cayo Evo 2 - Ultegra - £1999 - http://www.focus-bikes.com/gb/en/bikes/ ... vo-20.html
+ve''s - full Ultegra except chainset (FSA Energy crank), felt both solid and sporty, much cheaper than the other two
-ve's - not as sexy looking as the Wilier, poor wheelset

Bianchi Sempre Pro - £2400 - http://www.bianchibikes.co.uk/bianchi_s ... ultegra_3t
+ve's - looks gorgeous, can get 10% off the price at local LBS
-ve's - not full Ultegra (brakes and chainset FSA Gossamer), would prefer with Campag Athena but this would increase costs, poor spec wheels for the price

Tried both the Wilier and Focus and may be able to get a test on the Bianchi Sempre Pro in the next week. Also tried the Cannondale Synapse, but Ultegra ones seem to be as rare as hen's teeth and position seemed quite upright. Also considered the Canyon Ultimate SL 9.0 but long lead times for delivery and inability to assess for fit suggest this is not a realistic option if I want to use the bike this summer.

Any experiences of these bikes would be welcome, any others I should consider, and which would you choose and why?

Many thanks

GGBiker

The sempre pro is a pro peleton frameset, I would go for that (androni team, riding the giro)

theobrixton

I don't have any riding experience with these bikes but I'd go for the Sempre, simply because my girlfriend's brother has one and it is a stunning looking frame.

StillGoing

I have the Willier GTR as a second bike and for me it is every bit as rewarding as the main bike. Ok, it isn't the bike I purchased from the shop having stripped it of everything to fit my own components and choice of groupset, but the frame is a good one. It's somewhere between a sportive ride and all out racer giving a nice aggressive riding position that's pretty responsive, but at the same time isn't uncomfortable on long endurance rides.

Spudboy

I have a Sepre Pro in celeste and it's just a stunning bike. Nice Race geometry but not too extreme, stiff, comfortable for long rides, I really can't praise it enough and believe me I'm no super fit racing snake. I can't imagine you'd be disappointed with a Sempre. The Focus brand doesn't do it for me, great bikes apparently but they don't make me want one and how the bike makes you feel is important.

Doubtless they're all good bikes, assuming you can get a good fit on all of them buy the one that makes you drool most! 8)

matt-h

I have the Cayo Evo and it is a very nice frame.
The wilier and the Bianchi are definitely more desirable.
I would ride them and see which you like the feel and look of

Matt

negativelycra

On the off chance you;re size 54...

http://www.peakcyclesport.com/m1b1s6p20 ... O-1-0-2013

Philby

Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately I am too tall for the 54 Cayo. Bianchi Sempre Pro seems to be winning - its the only one I've yet to test. Agree with comments about the Focus - its obviously a great bike, but whoever designed the logo, colour schemes etc. has a rather teutonic approach to design compared with the lovely lines, logos and colour schemes of the Italian brands. It seems a bit like comparing a Ford Focus with an Alfa Romeo Guiletta.