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Post by whippet on Oct 10, 2015 16:37:16 GMT
 I took this carbon monstrosity out for a 75 mile test ride a week ago. It was, errr, fantastic.  |
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Post by cusqueno on Oct 10, 2015 17:30:11 GMT
Guilty pleasures!
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Post by velocipete on Oct 10, 2015 18:04:19 GMT
Train on heavy steel,fly on other,lighter stuff! Until it breaks,of course.
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by whippet on Oct 10, 2015 18:26:56 GMT
Train on heavy steel,fly on other,lighter stuff! Until it breaks,of course. Cheers, Pete. Exactly, the Wilier was so much faster it was almost like cheating. |
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Post by 54roadie on Oct 11, 2015 5:38:11 GMT
I remember the time I rode a new-tech bike - Cannondale Six13 with the then-new Campy Super Record group. Yeah. Like cheating. But they didn't let me take it for a 75 mile test ride. Holy cow.
Frank
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Oct 11, 2015 5:57:39 GMT
I know the feeling. In addition to my collection of old bikes, I also have a Cannondale System 6 (Ultegra). Like a new car, it does everything oh so well. Nevertheless, like new cars versus old cars, something is missing. I suppose it is like comparing a Jaguar XKE to a new Jaguar F Type. Despite all of their faults, there is just something special about the XKE and old steel bicycles.
Jim
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Post by whippet on Oct 11, 2015 7:26:13 GMT
It was one of the shops demonstrators Frank + they know me fairly well.
Very true Jim, I did a charity Rd with 25,000 entrants in August. Lots complimented my steel Mercian, while if you were on carbon you'd have been anonymous
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Post by triitout on Oct 12, 2015 2:18:04 GMT
It gets late early and being over 60, I allow myself the guilty pleasure of having every material available without fretting over each ones merits and detractions. Winter is aluminum time on my wind trainer Vitus 979. Spring is steel time on my bevy of Viscounts. Summer is race time on my carbon Trek Madone 5.2 backed up by a titanium Motobecane Le Champion SL. Fall is back to Viscount steel. Why pick a favorite? Just enjoy them all  |
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Post by whippet on Oct 17, 2015 11:01:31 GMT
Oh dear, put the deposit down yesterday.
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Post by velocipete on Oct 17, 2015 11:10:30 GMT
You'll have to get another Viscount to obtain absolution!
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by vtchuck on Oct 17, 2015 18:47:18 GMT
I, too have been tempted...... Picked up this LeMond and fitted it w/ Campy cranks & hubs, 3TTT bar & stem and Shimano 600 brakes and derailleurs. Carbon frame & forks... weights a bit over 20 lbs with a fairly heavy wheel-set. Smooth as butter. 97 Maillot Jaune
I feel weird riding it... its a pure racing machine and I'm a plodding old fart. I'm not worthy |
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Post by triitout on Oct 17, 2015 22:52:40 GMT
This is Lucifer himself talking having been tempted and succumbed back in the 90's. Isn't carbon one of the building blocks of life itself??? I'm here to tell you that yes, you can straddle both worlds and come out ok. And say yes to old farts riding a racy bike. Who do you think can afford them in their 20's? Cheers to your new purchase and have no guilt  You earned it! Michael |
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Post by 54roadie on Oct 18, 2015 4:22:50 GMT
It looks as if you have quite the gap between top of bars and top of saddle on that ride, Kevin. Or is it just the compact frame and the angle of the photo?
I like Willier stuff, although I have yet to ride one. The daughter of friends has one fitted with Campagnolo (Chorus, I think) 10 speed and it is a very cool bike, which she has ridden to a few state championships. Take that as a good omen.
Congratulations!
Frank
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Post by whippet on Oct 18, 2015 8:16:45 GMT
Frank: that picture was taken before I'd set the bike up for me. My Tourer has handlebars level with the seat and my Mercian has them 90mm ( 3.4 inches ) lower than the seat. For the test ride I set them at a compromise 50mm lower. Would have much preferred Campy but they just didn't offer the range I could get from Shimano ( which I've decided I need after Ventoux this year ).
Michael and VTchuck, thanks for the absolution :-)
That 97 Lemond must have been super exotic in '97! One of the sale staff at the bike shop said something that stuck in my mind, " why make it harder?". I'll still do some time trials on my Viscount next year, but will also be using then Wilier. Be interesting to see how much faster it is ( if it's faster at all ).
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Post by whippet on Oct 18, 2015 8:39:40 GMT
Here's a review of the bike that I put up on Facebook, those of a nervous disposition should look away now:
Banjo Cycles were kind enough to lend me this Wilier GTS SL to test this weekend so I thought I'd give it a mini review:
First thing to point out is that the frame is made from CARBON FIBRE and not steel as the GOOD LORD intended. This is Vilier's posh carbon = lighter and stronger. The geometry is endurance and aimed at longer Sportives ( or Audaxes if you have better taste ). Components are generally good with Dura Ace levers and mechs as well as Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels. Costs have been cut in a few other areas such as FSA cranks and Promax brake calipers instead of Dura Ace.
Yesterday I took it for a 75 mile test to see how it compares with my lovely steel Mercian Audax. Annoyingly, the Vilier was faster just about everywhere! Faster up hill, downhill and on the level. It noticeably accelerated quicker ( even surprised me with an involuntary wheelie pulling away from some lights ). Short hills were often despatched without changing down at all and longer hills were taken at a higher speed. Downhill often saw higher speeds than the Mercian, presumably a combination of quicker acceleration at the top and less wind drag.
The brakes were very powerful and had plenty of feel in the dry. The 11 speed rear mech was perfect with closely matched gears all the way, so closely matched that at times I'd change 2 or 3 cogs at a time. I thought the semi compact 36 / 52 chain ring would be annoying compared to my triple where I stay in the 40 tooth 95% of the time. While I did have to change more often, it was pretty slick so not too much of a burden. I wouldn't want a 34 / 50 compact though as I'd be swapping chainrings too often. Comfort from the 25mm tyres was on a par with the Mercian.
On the test I just tried to keep to my endurance pace in order to get a good comparison. My Garmin tells me that on my 75 mile route, my heart rate was on average 5 bpm lower than last time but my average speed was exactly 1.0 mph quicker. Strava told me that I'd got personal records on 41 segments. This Carbon Fibre obviously gives an advantage over steel and it should be banned :-)
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You earned it!