Wilier Cento1 SR Dura-Ace Complete Road Bike - 2016 Matte Black/Black, M
For all the Cento1 SR's Italian flair, the minds behind the ride decided that the best complement to such a responsive ride must be a Japanese drivetrain. The result is an intercontinental partnership that combines the romance of Italy with the precision of Japan for a bike that wouldn't look out of place in the peloton. Because it's been there. With the exception of an FSA SLK crankset, Wilier's shipping the Cento1 SR Dura-Ace Complete Road Bike with a full build of Shimano's top-tier mechanical group. We readily admit to appreciating a completely matching build kit -- including brakes and cranks -- opting for FSA's SLK model comes with the benefit of carbon crank arms instead of Dura-Ace's aluminum. This attention to minutiae extends beyond the build kit to the frame itself. The Cento1 SR features three distinct types of carbon fiber in different areas of the frame in order to meet the exacting demands of three criteria: stiffness, weight, and comfort. The drive spine and power-transfer joints are built with Mitsubishi's 60t carbon, a material with such high tensile strength that we've referred to it elsewhere as the synthetic equivalent of Superman's hair. We stand by that bit of artistic license, though we're also compelled to note that such stiff power-transferring efficiency does come at the cost of harshness. It also makes 60t as rare (and expensive) as kryptonite. Other areas of the frame are built with lower modulus T800H and T700SC carbon fibers, which add a touch of forgiveness across rough roads and chip seal. The frame's tight wheelbase and tapered head tube net apparently contradictory properties. While the former contributes to a race-ready, jumpy responsiveness, the head tube height and front end shape bring an element of stability and comfort across sweeping descents and long base miles. Much of this carries over into the current model; however, Wilier also incorporates designs from its other top-offerings (the featherweight Zero. 7 and the aerod...