Wilier Verticale SLR: A Lightweight Climber's Bike Worth a Close Look

Introduction

Wilier has released a new climbing-focused road bike called the Verticale SLR. The brand positions it as a replacement for the Zero SLR in its range and as the lightest disc frameset it has produced. It is built around a top-end carbon frame and aimed squarely at riders who count grams.

Our first-look sample arrived in a size small, finished in the Hulk green colourway. As supplied, complete with a Garmin mount, one bottle cage and the integrated seat post light, it weighed 6.87 kg.

The specification on this sample is high-end throughout: an integrated one-piece bar and stem measuring 40 cm with a 100 mm stem, Shimano Dura-Ace 12-speed, a 160 mm front rotor and a 140 mm rear rotor, Vittoria Corsa Pro tyres in 30 mm, carbon wheels with ceramic bearings, a Prologo Nago carbon saddle, an out-front mount and a seat post with a magnetic light attachment.

Pricing starts at 9,900 for the entry build with a Force groupset. The Dura-Ace Di2 build and the Campagnolo Super Record build sit above that.

Who This Bike Is For

The Verticale SLR is aimed at the performance-hungry end of the market: racers, hill climb specialists and riders who want a light, fast bike and are comfortable with the price.

It is not a relaxed all-rounder. The geometry is longer and lower than both the Filante and the Zero SLR, so riders moving across from an endurance bike should expect the handlebars to sit considerably further away.

Main Strengths

The headline strength is weight. At 6.87 kg as supplied, the Verticale SLR is a genuinely light disc brake road bike, and the frame is the lightest disc frameset Wilier has made.

Ride quality is the second strength. On the road the bike feels very smooth and comfortable, and the riding position is excellent. Fitted with fast wheels it feels rapid and reactive, with quick responses under acceleration.

Living with the bike is also straightforward. Assembly out of the box is quick, and the headset uses a regular expander bung: the bars slide on, two 4 mm bolts and a top cap set the preload, and the stem bolts finish the job.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The cockpit deserves attention before you commit. The one-piece bar and stem is narrow, and the available widths are limited to 40 cm and 42 cm with a range of stem lengths. Our 40 cm sample measured closer to 35 cm at the hoods, against the 37 cm Wilier states.

The bar shape is a matter of taste, but the slim tops and the drop position divided opinion here, and because the bar and stem are a single unit, the bars cannot simply be rotated to a preferred angle. The drops also step outwards rather than staying the same width, so your hands sit slightly wider when sprinting or descending.

Riders who need a wider or more traditional bar are not fully catered for by the stock options. Bars from the Filante and the Zero will fit, but they are a paid extra.

Two smaller details are worth checking. The oval seat post can be inserted at a slight angle, so the saddle needs to be lined up properly before the post is tightened. The seat post wedge can also drop inside the frame during assembly, which means fishing it back out.

Fit, Geometry and Setup

The Verticale SLR is a long, low racing bike, more aggressive than the Filante and the Zero SLR. Our size small sample has a top tube of around 52 cm, so the size labels are sensible, but the reach is substantial.

That combination means many riders may find themselves choosing a smaller size than they would on an older or more relaxed frame. A WorldTour team is expected to race this model in the coming season, which explains the racing-first geometry.

Setup is mostly simple. The seat post is the fiddliest part, because the Di2 cables need to be connected and the expander positioned correctly while the post is inserted. Once the post is in, the expander is easy to reach from inside the frame and easy to tighten.

Paint Finish and Early Production Notes

The Hulk green finish looks striking from a distance and the frame lines are clean and smooth, with a redesigned seat post clamp that tidies up an area that used to stand out.

Up close, our sample showed uneven paint around some edges, with a mix of gloss and matte layers that did not feel consistent with the price. Wilier says this particular bike is one of the very early samples, painted through an artisan process while the new green tone was being refined, and produced quickly to meet a media deadline.

Buying Advice

Wheels make a large difference to this frameset. With the wheels it ships with, the bike feels smooth and comfortable but not especially exciting. Fit a fast set and the character changes completely, with a much more urgent, reactive feel. Anyone buying a Verticale SLR should factor a quality wheelset into the budget if performance is the priority.

It is also worth comparing against the Specialized Aethos, which sits at a similar price and specification with a comparable weight, and is officially a little lighter.

If the fit works for you and the narrow cockpit suits your position, the Verticale SLR is a rewarding bike to ride: light, smooth and quick once the right wheels are on it. If you need a wider bar, a more relaxed position or flawless paint out of the box, the alternatives are worth a look.

Conclusion

The Wilier Verticale SLR is a focused climbing bike with a very light frame, a strong specification and an excellent riding position. Its narrow one-piece cockpit, aggressive geometry and the finish on early samples are the main points to weigh up. Buyers who want a light, fast road bike and are willing to pair it with fast wheels will find plenty to like.