The days of compromised aero road bikes are gone. From aerodynamic, efficient and comfortable, you’d be lucky to get two, but thanks to improved carbon layups and informed design, Wilier’s Cento10 Air Disc proves three into one does go.
- Best road bikes 2018: how to choose the right one for you
- Best road bike tyres in 2018: everything you need to know
Its profile is the result of hard won physics and aerodynamic work. Every tube that needs to slice through the air has a truncated aerofoil profile, plus the bar and stem are integrated carbon fibre and aerodynamic.
The Shimano brake hoses and Di2 gear wires are integrated, and the thru-axle ends are flush with the frame and fork. The fork is broad shouldered, and the seatstays are a generous width, reducing turbulence from the wheel, but the asymmetric chainstays are deep and burly, directing energy from the cranks and wide bottom bracket shell rearwards.
Shimano’s Ultegra Di2 Disc groupset has class, from its slim, tactile hoods to the enlarged shift buttons and urgent shifting, the addition of Ultegra-labelled hydraulic discs is the icing on the cake. Racers might prefer larger chainrings, but the 50/34, with 11-28 cassette, is ample for almost all eventualities short of Alpine descents.
It’s impossible not to find yourself tucking in more on descents and pushing one gear higher than usual everywhere. It’s immensely keen to accelerate, the frameset and the DT Swiss ERC 1400 wheelset’s excellent lateral rigidity ensuring your actions have an equal and opposite reaction towards the horizon. The wheels plump the 25mm Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres up to 27mm, increasing grip, confidence and speed too.
The integrated bar and stem are stiff without being harsh. At speed it feels like a hydrofoil, skimming the surface, but soaking up most of the vibrations. It’s a little firmer riding than the very latest aero bikes, but remains on the informative side of surface feedback.
Astute’s Star Lab saddle has a narrow nose, but was comfortable, helping me guide the bike with subtle weight shifts. Handling is crisp and accurate, and stable at speed, or when descending. I’d fit 28mm tyres as they’d suit the rims and frame, and enhance comfort, grip and ride feel.
Over mixed terrain, the Cento10 Air Disc scurries up climbs, charges down again and is lively in between. For 2019, this model will become the Cento10 Pro Disc, and if fast road riding with decent comfort appeals, it will make a very worthy choice.
Wilier Triestina Cento10 Air disc Di2 specification
- Weight: 7.57kg (M)
- Frame: Carbon monocoque 60Ton
- Fork: Carbon monocoque 60Ton
- Gears: Shimano Ultegra Di2, 50/34, 11-28
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra hydraulic disc, 160mm rotors
- Wheels: DT Swiss ERC 1400
- Tyres: 25mm Vittoria Rubino Pro
- Bar and Stem: Integrated carbon Wilier Alabarda
- Seatpost: Ritchey Cento10 Air carbon
- Saddle: Astute Star Lab
