Italian bike brand Wilier Triestina has just entered the wheel game with three sets of carbon fibre, disc-only wheelsets.
Following other companies — such as Specialized with Roval, Scott and its Syncros brand, Trek with Bontrager, Fuji and Oval, and Ridley's 4za — in producing parts and accessories in house, Wilier's own brand wheels have been designed in collaboration with Miche and consist of two 'endurance'-oriented wheelsets and a set of race hoops.
With Miche headquartered close to Wilier, the wheels are produced in Miche's automated building and truing facility.
- House brands dominating team bikes and kit in the WorldTour
- Wilier produces one of the first UCI-legal disc brake TT bikes
In quite a savvy move, Wilier is only offering its wheels in disc-brake versions, meaning it didn't have to fuss with brake tracks, overheating rims or experimenting with high TG resin.
Given that Wilier is well versed in carbon layups and aerodynamics, it says wheels were the natural next step, especially considering the range of carbon bars and stems it already makes.
Initially, Wilier's wheels will only be available on its 2020 bikes, but will become available as an aftermarket upgrade down the line.
All three wheelsets are compatible with SRAM XDR, Shimano HG and Campy ED freehubs, and see 12x100mm front and 12x142mm rear spacing.
ULT38 KT Disc
Topping the Italian brand's range of wheels is the ULT38 Disc. Only available as a tubular, the rim is 37.8mm deep, the tire bed measures 24.2mm across and the rim is finished in a 3k carbon weave.
Strung with 14 spokes front and rear, the wheels spin on CeramicSpeed sealed bearings inside Wilier branded hubs. All up, Wilier claims the ULT38 KTs tip the scales at 1,390g for the pair and cost €2,400.
AIR50 KC Disc
Probably the best-looking wheelset in the range, with the criss-crossed sheets of unidirectional carbon forming the outer layer, are the AIR50 KC Disc wheels.
At 50mm deep, Wilier makes the typical aerodynamic claims that accompany wheels around this depth; however, it also notes that the carbon in the spoke bed has been beefed up to allow for a stable anchoring point.
With a 19mm internal and 26mm external width, the AIR50 is tubeless-ready but will require rim tape and tubeless valves. With 16 Sapim spokes front and rear the Air 50's don't get the CeramicSpeed treatment, instead spinning on EZO stainless steel bearings. Wilier claims the 50mm hoops weigh 1,590g and are priced at €1,600.
NDR38 KC Disc
Pitched as endurance wheels, the NDR38 KC Disc measure 38mm deep and are claimed to weigh 1,665g.
Wilier says the NDR 38 have an internal rim width of 17mm and outer width of 23.98mm. They're also tubeless-ready, strung with 16 Sapim spokes front and rear, and spin on stainless steel bearings. The NDR 38's will cost €1,300.