The Izoards carbon fiber monocoque frame is constructed utilizing a patented molding process that allows control of the frame tubes exact wall thicknesses, along with the implementation of both T60 (high modulus/maximum stiffness) and M30J (medium modulus/maximum strength) pre-preg unidirectional carbon fiber. That means that the type of carbon fiber and optimized wall thicknesses are implemented where it will most enhance the frames ride characteristics.
Strengths: Handling in general and cornering in specific are second-to-none. You might have to spend thousands more to beat the cornering on this baby. It is awesome and I am in love. The SRAM Rival package has been wonderful for me. I happen to prefer the feel to that of Shimano, but I know it's a tomato tomahto thing. Fantastic braking--blows away my 105s. Rear shifting is a dream to me. I love the crankset, coming from gossamer.It is so reliable and so accurate. I'm in love with it. I ride along the Willamette River in Portland and it is quite windy in Winter. I looked hard at aero bikes, but I must say, the Wilier seems to cut through the wind admirably. I just don't think I'm giving up a lot to the Felt AR series or the Cervelo there.
Weaknesses: Front derailleur has been a b*&^ch to get right. I understand may others have had similar issues. I am an idiot, which may explain some of this. But all I can recommend is, don't touch it unless you are a trained front SRAM guru--you'll go crazy. I've heard Red is worse. There you go. The other thing I would consider less than optimal is how it feels cruising the flats. It just seems less effortless than the Orbea was. But again, this may all be setup. Top speeds are comparable, it just feels less effortless than on the Orbea.
Bottom Line:
Bought this to replace my stolen Orbea. Had heard good things about Wilier and this bike and decided to take a flier. I am not disappointed. The bike is very different than my Orbea Onix. For one, it handles much, much better--like a Lambo versus a Camry. It is glued to every turn. Ridiculous, and fun. It is also quick to accelerate. I will say, though, that top speed on the flats is less effortless than the Orbea was. This may just be setup or geometry particular to me.
Similar Products Used: Orbea Onix
Cervelo S2
BMC SL02
Masi Evo
Bike Setup: Full Rival
Mid-range FSA stem, bars, seatpost. Aksiums. Schwalbe Luganos. Total bike weighs in at about seventeen pounds on a quite accurate scale (wife has an eating disorder--nuf said).
Strengths: Stiff and relatively light for the dough. Make sure to not skimp on components. Get good wheels.
Bottom Line:
I feel like I got a great deal on a super bike that I spec'd out as a climnbing rig. Competitive Cyclist was great to help me customize this bike. It is a full Rival build with compact front and 11-32 extended rear. Climbs like crazy. I can keep up with some top notch riders on this bike now. I upgrade the wheels to HED Ardennes - what a great choice. The bike weighs 16.7 lbs. Changed out the Fizik Arione seat. It didn't fit me right. Got Nuevation SL1 and love it. Great value for the money. There are lighter frames, but it performers superbly. Sucks up rough road very nicely. It is a beautiful bike and you don't see them on the road much. I get lots of comments and questions and give the thumbs up to Wilier.
Weaknesses: Not so rigit as the high end models of Wilier. (but in double price)
Bottom Line:
Campagnolo Chorus full groupset, campagnolo zonda wheels, selle italia SLR carbon, fsa carbon handlebar.
I have the XXL size because I am 1.96 and 96k. However, even in this size, it’s a very light, strong and quite comfortably bike. I am in a team and I run all kind of races during the year. This bike is a winner in terms of durability and aesthetic and I can consider it as a bargain (in the end of season you can find a good offer of Wilier). If it was litle more rigit.... But you cant have everything in this price range.
Strengths: Very light (haven't weighed it yet with full gear) very responsive, great climbing experience. It actually prices out a little more than the Trek Madone 5.2, but since I caught my buds pushing theirs up a hill recently, I think its a better machine- woryh the extra 1 or 2 $.
Weaknesses: Maybe the Shimano set-up, since the chain failed me.
Bottom Line:
This is my first carbon frame bike and I am very pleased with it overall. It came equipped with a narrow handle bar (38cm?)which made the handling tricky. Shop replaced (42 cm) for prorated upcharge. Rather than the custom colored themed seat, it was equipped with a black version of the Selle Italia SL. (I later found a custom seat on ebay) Riding on flat land here in SE Texas, the main consideration would be comfort I guess. I am very comfortable on this bike, size 55 (L) (I'm 6' 190#). The set up is more aggressive than my former bike, a Fuji Roubaix aluminum but the transition was seemingly seamless. The drops on the FSA Gossamer handle bars are very comfortable. Recently in the hills, the Shimano chain failed at the connecting link-a defect from the manufacturer according to the wrench at the scene. Otherwise I have had no problems with the bike mechanically or cosmetically. the bike is very pleasing to look at and it rides very nicely, with plenty of feedback to keep things interesting but not overly tiring. After a recent tune up on the rear derailleur, the parts are turning sweetly and noiselessly. Approx 500 miles on the bike so far. I have noticed a pinging from what I believe is a spoke on the front Fulcrum Racing 5 wheel when I get up and pedal hard. It come with Vittoria Rubino Pro tires which, as far as I can tell are road debris-proof. Some of these road shoulders around here are downright treacherous with all the jetsam.
Bike Setup: Ultegra with FSA crank and calipers. 50/34 compact rings. 12/25 rear cassette. Shimano 105 pedals. Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels with Vittoria Rubino Pro tires. Selle Italia SL saddle. FSA Gossamer alloy road bar. SRAM chain (now)
Strengths: Value, smoothness, styling, uniqueness (i.e. very few on the road)
Weaknesses: Downspec'd parts to cut costs (wheels, tires, FSA cranks), no tapered head tube (seem to be appearing on more bikes now).
Bottom Line:
Was ready to upgrade to a full carbon frame from an '04 CDale CAAD7 aluminum seeking a more "plush" ride. Pretty much set on a Specialized Roubaix SL3 based on Velonews' report. Test rode three bikes (see below) and once I found out the Izoard XP was $1,000 less, that made my choice pretty easy because the differences seemed pretty minor (though it's tough to say because the sizing (i.e. reach, stack, etc.) on each bike weren't exactly the same). There were slight differences in the ride (Specialized being the plushest but kinda sluggish too I thought, particularly turning since the head tube is the highest; Cervelo being the firmest and snappiest but least plush -- relatively speaking -- and most expensive). The Izoard seemed to be somewhere in between and for a grand less I could upgrade the crappy stock bar with a much nicer ergonomic carbon one in my width and still have $$ left over for more upgrades later (carbon seat post, nicer/lighter 25mm tires, wheels). Already got a few "nice bike" comments on the roads (mine is the white/silver model...looks real clean), mainly because it's such a relatively rare/exotic brand. When all else is pretty much equal, it's nice to have something different that few others have (or know about). The ride is several notches smoother than my alum. frame so I'm happy. Also, I'm very pleased with the compact crankset (had a triple before so I was concerned whether I'd have enough gears) though I swapped out the stock 12-25 cassette for an 11-28. I tested this on the local climbs and I have all the gears I need.
Still, same rules apply for all these bike purchases: a bike that FITS is the best.
hello everyone...
i currently am reading up on stuff in order to buy a new road bike. in my searching, i've been scouting everything, and just found this build for a Wilier Izoa Read More »
Just picked up my new road bike yesterday. This Wilier rides like no other bike I have been on. I tested every single Carbon bike out there on the market & this is what I came up w Read More »
Deciding between these two carbon bikes but I can't make a decision, $300 difference, can't test ride either of them, looking for stiff power transmission, and smooth handling but Read More »
hey everyone,
in reading up on road bikes, i've been catching snippets of talk about the new Wilier Izoard XP frame being different from the previous years... is this true? if Read More »
Hey everyone. I've got about 1000 miles or so on my Wilier Izoard XP and I love the bike except I cannot get it to shift well. I also have repeated issues of dropping the chain, a Read More »
