Wilier Imperiale Chorus (2010-2011)

I've just purchased a Wilier Imperiale with Super Record 11, Fulcrum Racing Zero Two Way and 3T Carbon cockpit.

This is the single most amazing bike I've ever ridden - it's not the lightest (at just on 6.9 kilos), but it's no fatty either - supple, compliant, super STIFF throughout the entire frame and especially around the BB, ultra-quick steerer without being twitchy - this bike has it all.

Descents are now confidence inspiring rather than terror producing, climbing is a breeze - this thing flys up-hill as if it's being pulled along! Twisty, quick curves are dispatched with utter disdain, such is the handling competence of this frame/fork setup.

The Campy groupset is a perfect match and works exactly as advertised - flawlessly. The Fulcrum wheels may not be the lightest on the block, but they're strong and pretty (and honestly, they're plenty light enough for me).

I'm a big guy (6'6" and 86 kilos (about 197 or so pounds), and I can put out a pretty hefty whack of power yet I can't get any flex AT ALL from this frame - every single watt of your power goes into forward motion. And I can tell you for a fact that the aero styling not only looks fabulous in person but that it really does work - I've added ab out 5 kph to my standard steady state speed! This frame/fork just doesn't see headwinds or crosswinds, it seems to slip straight through them! The effect is something you have to experience to believe, but, trust me; it's real and you do notice it - it's almost like the bike disappears and it's just you, the road and the elements.

And isn't that what a superbike is supposed to do?

One word of warning - it's not cheap. To build this frame/fork to these specs in Australia (which is where I am) will cost you around $13,500 AUD (or about $12,500 USD) - like I said, not cheap! But then, I have bought the best of everything pretty much (yes, I know I could have gotten some really lightweight wheels, but I need something strong to take the weight of me!), obviously you could get on one of these with Chorus or Ultegra (if you must use Jap stuff on an Italian frame (yes, I know the frame is actually manufactured in Asia), with a lower spec wheelset for several thousand less - but you'll still be looking at around $7,000 - $8,000 AUD.

To sum up - if you have the means, I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend the Wilier Imperiale. In fact, I rode the Cento Uno and this back to back and felt that the Imperiale was a better bike. Clearly that's just my opinion, yours may vary.