Wilier has launched an update to its Filante pro-level race bike, ridden by the Groupama-FDJ WorldTour pro team.
Wilier claims the new Filante ID2 is 13.6% more aero than its predecessor, based on its analyses at the Silverstone wind tunnel in the UK. That’s greater than Wilier had expected based on its CFD modelling, which predicted a 12% improvement in aerodynamics. When it placed a rider atop the bike, it registered a 4.5% aero benefit.
Wilier says that equates to a 14.15-watt drag reduction at 40km/h, or a 1 minute, 45 seconds faster time over 70km when riding at 290W.
The brand has also carried out a head-to-head comparison against five WorldTour bikes, claiming the new Filante ID2 is 2.42% faster on average.
Wilier uses a mix of M46JB, T1100 and T800 carbon fibre for the bike’s frame and claims an 860g frame weight, as well as a 7.5% increase in bottom-bracket stiffness over the previous-generation Filante. It says a complete bike equipped with Shimano Dura-Ace weighs 7.1kg.
Aero bottles and cages
Wilier says much of the Filante ID2’s aero gain comes from its down tube shape, designed to shield the custom-designed aero bottles and cages, which are a collaboration with Elite.
As with other bikes, such as the Trek Madone Gen 8, Wilier says the Filante ID2 is more aero with bottles in place than without, claiming they reduce drag by more than two thirds compared to standard bottles and cages.
Like the Madone, its system is compatible with regular round bottles as well as its aero bottles, an important consideration for bikes used in races.
There’s 1,100ml total capacity with the aero bottles in place, or the option to hold a 750ml round bottle on the seat tube to carry more.
New flared bar
Wilier adopted front-end integration as long ago as 2016 and the Filante ID2 is fitted with its latest bar/stem iteration, which it calls the F-Bar ID2.
As is now common on new performance race bikes, including Wilier's own Verticale, there’s a flare to the bar – in this case, 3 degrees. Wilier has three widths available: 350/380mm, 370/400mm and 390/420mm. Effective stem lengths run from 75mm to 120mm.
The new handlebar completely encloses the clamping hardware, protecting it from contamination.
Wilier has also borrowed the aero, vibration-absorbing seatpost profile from its Supersonica SLR time trial bike. It comes stock in 0mm setback, but you can request a 15mm-setback version when ordering.
As is increasingly the case with modern road bike designs, including the Specialized Tarmac SL8 and the Cannondale SuperSix Evo, there’s not enough room in the seatpost to fit a Shimano Di2 battery, so Wilier has moved it to the bottom bracket area, where it’s housed in a resin casing. It can be removed easily if needed.
Wilier says the placement also lowers the bike's centre of mass, improving high-speed stability.
Updated fork and seatstay profiles
Wilier has worked on its fork design, with a new aero blade profile, a more robust fork crown for increased torsional stiffness, an aero fin on the left leg that helps improve aerodynamics around the brake caliper and rotor, and a blind thru-axle bolt on the right leg to smooth airflow.
There’s been more work done on the rear triangle, which now offers 34mm tyre clearance and a UDH dropout, with a slightly increased 41.1cm chainstay length. The seastays are now angled slightly inwards, with the 2.5-degree angle claimed to improve aerodynamic interaction between the stays and the rider’s legs.
Along with the Universal Derailleur Hanger at the rear, the front derailleur hanger can be removed, so the Filante ID2 is compatible with SRAM Full Mount 1x13-speed groupsets or a 56-tooth single chainring.
Wilier Filante ID2 specs and prices
Wilier will sell the Filante ID2 equipped with a range of top-tier groupsets, including options with and without a power meter.
There are two wheelset options: the higher-spec 1,445g Miche Kleos RD 50 and the lower-spec Kleos 50 with a 1,545g claimed weight. There’s also a frame-kit option, complete with bar/stem, and aero bottles and cages.
There are six frame sizes available, which in combination with the different component choices and setups offer 420 different sizing options. The Filante ID2 is available in five colours.
- Campagnolo Super Record 13 w/o power meter, Miche Kleos RD 50 wheelset: €13,100
- SRAM Red AXS w/ power meter, Miche Kleos RD 50 wheelset: €12,900
- Shimano Dura-Ace w/ power meter, Miche Kleos RD 50 wheelset: €12,700
- Shimano Dura-Ace w/o power meter, Miche Kleos RD 50 wheelset: €11,900
- Shimano Dura-Ace w/o power meter, Miche Kleos 50 wheelset: €10,900
- Shimano Ultegra w/o power meter, Miche Kleos 50 wheelset: €9,700
- SRAM Force AXS w/ power meter, Miche Kleos 50 wheelset: €10,300
- SRAM Force AXS w/o power meter, Miche Kleos 50 wheelset: €9,900
- Frameset w/ F-Bar ID2, aero kit, computer mount: €5,800
