Wilier

Cento10 Air Alabarda Road Frameset - 2017

Wilier's 2018 Cento10 Air Alabarda Road Frameset takes the brand's line of aero road frames to a whole new level. Its updated tube shapes and integrated cockpit work together for a claimed 15% reduction in overall weight and eight percent increase in aerodynamic efficiency over its Cento1 Air predecessor. In other words, the Cento10 Air is built to go fast.

The Cento10 Air benefits from Wilier's expertise in the wind tunnel. Its tube shapes break from recent trends in narrow, long tubing to present as wider leading faces with NACA-inspired tapering that varies across the frame to balance weight and aerodynamics while remaining within the UCI's race-allowable guidelines. Compared to the Cento1 Air, the Cento10 Air also sees an increase in frontal area at the headtube, with a wider fork that comes with claims of reducing turbulence around the wheels for smoother airflow.

The Cento1 series has long been associated with integrated seatmasts. However, similar to the most recent Cento1 Air, Wilier wanted to keep the ride of the Cento10 Air utilizes a more traditional seatpost to reduce road vibrations and provide a more comfortable ride. Naturally, the teardrop shape is proprietary, and was developed to reduce turbulence as air slips around it. It's held in place by a seatpost clamp developed in conjunction with Ritchey that sits stealthily in the seat tube and hides from the wind.

To ensure rigidity and confident handling, the Cento10 Air has been constructed from a 60t Mitsubishi high-modulus carbon fiber. The 'T' in 60t refers to ton, as in it can withstand 60 tons of pressure per square millimeter. Wilier used strong carbon fiber, because the stronger the carbon, the less is needed. Thus, Wilier was able to strike an ideal balance between strength and weight.

Other differentiators for the Air include internal cable routing, which is compatible with both electronic and mechanical drivetrains. Most importantly, however, is the Air's new integrated cockpit. Dubbed Alabarda, this integrated bar and stem is made from lightweight carbon fiber with a flattened, aerodynamic top bar profile. Furthering the wind-slicing advantage is integrated shift cable routing that keeps them contained within the frame for clean lines and leaving only the brake cable out in the wind.

The Cento10 Air is also built up in the bottom bracket area in order to increase power transfer and accommodate a PressFit BB86 bottom bracket. While it's true that the options for external bearing cups runneth over, there is still significant room for advancement in the right circumstances. Wilier's collaboration with venerable component manufacturer FSA proves that point. The BB86 is a kingly 86.5 millimeters wide, increasing stiffness over the usual 68 millimeter bottom brackets and lowering the power lost from flexing to almost zero. With adapters, the BB86 accommodates cranksets from Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo.