WILIER CROSS CARBON/SRAM FORCE/RIVAL COMPLETE BIKE

We don't know about you, but our quiver of bicycles has always been missing something -- something that's been elusive at best, and for Americans, a complete figment of our imaginations. We're talking about a Wilier 'cross bike. After years of repetitively, and unsuccessfully, voicing our woes to our Italian friends at Wilier, we sadly accepted that we'd never have one. That is, until now. After years of pleading and diligence, we're elated to bring you our exclusive Wilier Cross Carbon/SRAM Force/Rival Complete Bike. Representing the Wilier hallmarks of beauty, prestige, and sheer speed, the Carbon Cross still isn't afraid to get a little dirty. So, for all of you who've been waiting with bated breath for a Wilier 'cross frame, you're welcome.

Wilier's Cross Carbon is made from a calculated blend of three carbon fibers -- T-700SC, Intermediate Modulus M30J, and 60-ton carbon fibers. We know what you're thinking -- looks like an arbitrary collection of letters and numbers. However, this combination of carbon directly equates to weight savings, rigidity, and durability. Each element of carbon plays a vital role in achieving these attributes. The 60t carbon is strategically placed for strength. In fact, this material is capable of withstanding 60 tons of pressure per square millimeter. And while this sounds like a bulky carbon to use, the opposite is true. Wilier adheres to a simple logic when building frames -- the stronger the carbon, the less is needed. This philosophy keeps the overall weight down without sacrificing either strength or stiffness. And to further guarantee stiffness, the M30J fiber was used. With its unidirectional design, M30J takes advantage of a simple calculus -- a fiber of carbon is strongest when straight. Unlike a woven fiber, M30J's orientation creates a load path that promotes a heightened sensation of lateral and torsional rigidity. What does this mean? Simple. When your frame flexes less under the load of your force and weight, more energy is transferred throughout the bike, and you go faster. But that's enough of the engineering and science lesson -- how does the Cross Carbon handle in the mud?

It handles aggressively. In fact, it's incredibly fast, and this is due in part to the frame's geometry. With a 72 degree head tube angle and tight wheel base, the Cross Carbon is more in tune with a road bike than your standard, cookie-cutter 'cross frame. However, the Cross Carbon is still very much at one with muck and majesty of 'cross racing. The frame has clearances that can accommodate up to a 32mm tire, and as you expected, it features integrated studs to accept cantilever arms. To ensure that your braking and shifting aren't encumbered by either mud or shouldering of the frame, Wilier routed the cables on the top of the top tube. Most importantly though, to make sure that your body isn't berated by off-road vibration, Wilier gave the seatstays a wishbone design to aid in the frame's vertical compliance. And further adding to the dissipation of chatter, the Cross Carbon also comes equipped with a full-carbon fiber fork. Mated with the oversized head tube, the fork creates a nimble handling that's crucial for the tight corners and accelerations of 'cross racing.

Because of the 'cross bike's inherent versatility, we've decided to spec the bike with a SRAM Rival crankset with 50/34-tooth compact rings. We see 'cross bikes pulling race duty, as well as being used for backroads exploration, shoulder-season training rides, and even commuting. We find the 50/34 compact to be ideally suited for this wide range of uses. That said, if you plan to use the Cross Carbon as a race-day-only bike, please give us a call and we'll be happy to swap the rings to a more traditional 46/36-tooth setup. 

For the build kit, we hand-picked an amalgamation of components with the speed and durability required to race in the mud. For the shift and brake functions, we've chosen the bombproof SRAM Rival levers to control a Rival front derailleur, Force rear derailleur, and Avid's Shorty 6 cantilevers. The power of the drivetrain is managed by a PC-1031 chain, and PG-1050 cassette. For the wheels, we selected our go-to for durable, lightweight clinchers, the Reynolds Shadow wheelset, and wrapped them in 700c x 30mm Michelin Cyclocross Mud 2 tires. The cockpit is comprised of an Easton EA70 stem, bars, and seatpost. We also wrapped the handlebars in Arundel tape, and mounted a Selle Italia SL Kit Carbonio saddle to the seatpost.

The Wilier Cross Carbon/SRAM Force/Rival Complete Bike is available in the color Matte Black and in five sizes from Small to XX-Large.