Come in to Roswell Bicycles and get the first look at the new Wilier Imperiale.  

The sculpted lines of the Imperiale frame and fork bear witness of the growing emphasis on aerodynamics in road bike design, and Wilier continues to take full advantage of ongoing advances in carbon composites and manufacturing processes.

Collaborating with the best in the biz

Internationally acclaimed aerodynamics expert and trusted partner in the Imperiale project, John Cobb, likes to point out that making a bike aerodynamic requires a lot more than simply ovalizing tubes or attempting to “hide” components. “It’s all about managing airflow,” explains Cobb. “If you try beat or cheat the air, you’ve already lost the battle.”

Cobb and Wilier focused on all areas of a frame that influence – and are influenced by – airflow, especially in crosswinds. The head tube, rear triangle, seat cluster, integrated airfoil seatmast and bottom bracket/chainstay juncture were all designed with “these key areas in mind, which represent opportunities for a bike to direct airflow in an efficient manner past wheels, rider and the rest of the bike,” explained Cobb.

Carbon composites – the world’s most advanced

Wilier engineers emphasize that by researching and testing the right combination of tubing shapes, composites and directional carbon fiber layups, it was possible to reduce frontal area, more optimally direct airflow and ensure lateral rigidity while minimizing weight. Toray and Mitsubishi composites are still the most advanced and proven on the market, period.

Rides “like a Wilier”

Wilier has produced truly unique models because of its twofold emphasis on aerodynamics and handling performance. Wilier bikes are made to be comfortable, accelerate quickly, handle precisely while inspiring confidence in corners and on descents. The geometry, all‐carbon dropouts and 94mm oversize bottom bracket were inspired by the research and development that went into the design of theCento1 and the new Cento1 Superleggera (i.e. “Superlight” or “SL”). Prominent new features:

Sculpted head tube ‐ The head tube is reinforced for strength and, along with the fork crown, is shaped to reduce drag; their combined profile forms a minimalist frontal area.

Down tube draws on Crono airflow management technology ‐ The unique downtube boasts the same innovative air management benefits as our Crono series; its profile drastically reduces drag and more efficiently manages airflow.

Seat cluster directs air around & past rider and rear wheel ‐ The seatstays are joined at the aerodynamic seat tube, directing airflow around and past the rear wheel, maximizing stability and contributing to the bike’s distinctive look.

Continuous rear triangle & “suspended” dropouts - The construction of the rear triangle is fully integrated, taking advantage of the capabilities and characteristics of the latest high modulus prepreg carbon fiber. Chainstays and seatstays are continuous, better dampening and dissipating road surface impacts and vibrations. Carbon dropouts extend from the continuous stays, and the seatstays are joined at the integrated seat cluster for maximum aerodynamics as well as rear triangle stability.

Integrated seatmast - The Imperiale boasts an integrated airfoil seatmast to be used in conjunction with specially designed seatmast caps – i.e. seatclamps. (Current spec foresees the use of Ritchey fore aft adjustable seatmast caps.) Below the top tube, the seat tube transitions from airfoil profile to a larger dimension at the bottom bracket for maximum stiffness. Benefits of an integrated seatmast include an extremely responsive overall ride, as well as enhanced aerodynamics.

Wilier BB94 bottom bracket shell & chainstays - The Imperiale boasts the same BB94 bottom bracket design concept as the Cento1 and Cento1 Superleggera: reinforced, oversize dimensions and fuller integration of prominent industry standard cranksets.

Our BB94 design does away with the need for externally mounted bearing cups, integrating seamlessly with the most popular cranksets. Campagnolo and Fulcrum crank assemblies fit right into the bottom bracket shell, while compatibility with other prominent brands is accommodated by small composite spacers and proprietary bearings. This has allowed us to widen and reinforce the bottom bracket shell area of the frame without adding weight, making for even more efficient power transfer. Spacers for Shimano are provided as part of the frameset kit. Adaptors for SRAM & FSA (non‐ceramic bearing models) can be purchased separately for a modest price.

The underside of the Imperiale bottom bracket goes one step further, drawing again on the latest findings in aerodynamics research: the chain stays are joined to the underside of the bottom bracket, forming two additional airflow “splitters”. The stays have also been contoured to manage the frame’s final interaction with air as they guide it past the spinning rear wheel.