Wilier claims that its new Supersonica SLR time trial bike was 16 per cent extra aero than its earlier time trial bike, the Turbine, when it examined the brand new bike at 50km/h wind speeds within the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub wind tunnel, the place Cyclingnews has examined aero street wheels and street helmets.
The new bike has been developed alongside Swiss time trial champion Stefan Küng of the Groupama-FDJ professional staff. The entire venture has taken simply 9 months, together with over 50 hours of CFD pc simulations, 30 hours of testing of 3D printed mock-ups within the wind tunnel, and the manufacturing of two prototypes. The Supersonica SLR has additionally been let free within the Tissot Velodrome in Switzerland and on the roads of Belgium.
It’s the primary bike that’s been developed by Wilier along with Groupama-FDJ because it took over from Lapierre because the staff’s bike sponsor, though it’s clear that the change of motorbike supplier to the staff was within the works lengthy earlier than the official announcement in December 2023. Wilier has additionally been supplying Astana-Qazaqstan with its bikes since 2020.
Development included 30 hours of wind tunnel testing of 3D printed fashions (Image credit score: Wilier)
Developments from the Turbine embrace an up to date geometry, larger rigidity and an up to date bar design, Wilier says. It does not present any uncooked information to again up its aero claims.
Non-pro riders can have their extensions customised to their measurements similar to the professionals, with Wilier providing a service primarily based on an optical scan of the rider’s forearms. They can then select between carbon or 3D-printed titanium extensions. The body can also be suitable with Profile Design aerobars.
Other options of the brand new bike embrace an built-in seat mast with adjustable saddle rails, 28mm tyre clearance, a detachable entrance mech hanger and a bayonet-style fork mount with 1 1/8in bearings and an anti-rotation system. The body is UCI authorized.
There’s the choice to have the bars customized 3D printed in titanium (Image credit score: Wilier)
Options and costs
The Wilier Supersonica SLR is in the stores as a body package priced at €9,000. A Dura-Ace construct with Miche lenticular disc rear wheel and tri-spoke entrance with Profile Design ACS PRO extensions is priced at €20,500. Add on customized extensions and the worth is €27,400.
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For the second, the bike is barely obtainable in dimension L/XL, because it’s constructed to suit Küng, however Wilier guarantees that two extra sizes, XS/S and M, might be obtainable in early 2025.
The bike’s first outing is deliberate for the opening stage 4.8km time trial on the Tour de Suisse right now.
