Wilier GTR Team
An Italian endurance machine that’s ready for speed
One of my early test rides on the Wilier gtr Team was up Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks. I was looking forward to tackling the fifth-highest mountain in New York, with its eight per cent grade along its 13 km, because of the dearth of big climbs near where I live. The mountain is one of eastern North America’s most challenging ascents. The gtr was up to the task.
The Wilier gtr Team Ultegra is an endurance bike, but feels much racier than I first anticipated. While its fit is less aggressive than a true race bike, it rides more like a nimble speed machine than most endurance bikes. The frame feels agile, quick to respond to rider input and very lively thanks to the stiff and light frame. All these features make it great for climbing.
The long ascent up Whiteface took about an hour and that time flew by. I tried to keep my effort steady staying seated, spinning at a high cadence. When my legs needed a little change, I stood out of the saddle. In this position, I found the bike really felt quick. Rocking an endurance bike can sometimes feel a little awkward, but the gtr was right in its element.
On the descent, the agile handling gave me confidence, requiring minimal input to correct my lines through corners. At speed, the bike feels stable but its handling could make less-experienced riders feel a little nervous. Shimano’s direct mount brakes did an excellent job of slowing me down.
The only thing holding the Wilier gtr back from really standing out in this terrain were the Ursus wheels, which rolled heavy and took a bit more effort to get up to speed. While they are a solid set of training wheels, the bike would really shine with an upgrade.
Back on my home tarmac, where the roads are flatter and pothole-riddled, I appreciated the endurance qualities of the gtr Team. The front end deals with road vibrations very well, while the seatstays and seat tube make the ride comfortable.
The gtr puts the rider in a more relaxed position than on the Cento10air, Wilier’s wind-cheating race machine. The gtr has a shorter reach and slightly higher front end thanks to its longer head tube. On the gtr, I was in a slightly more upright position, compared with the one I had on the Cento10air, which I rode for a little bit in the midst for my gtr testing.
GTR was built with the always-reliable mechanical Shimano Ultegra groupset. If you are looking for a hydraulic-disc version with a bit more tire clearance, there’s the gtr Team’s sibling, the gtr SL Disc. My bike had 25-mm Vittoria Rubino Pros. Had I wanted a little more comfort on rougher roads, the gtr could accommodate 28-mm tires. The build was rounded out with a Wilier-branded fsa alloy seatpost, stem and handlebars.
The gtr strikes a rare balance between endurance and performance that was a pleasant surprise on a variety of roads. On fast rides, the bike certainly didn’t hold me back. When I wanted to ride at a more leisurely pace, I was glad to have the benefits of the bike’s endurance qualities. On the gtr, you can have lots of fun on smooth roads as well as those with a bit more texture. The red team paint job pops and is a reminder that the Wilier’s race dna lies within.