E-Road News

Quicker, further, more efficient – Wilier Filante Hybrid E-road bike presented

A riding experience like a conventional road bike – that’s what Wilier’s brand new e-road bike, the Filante Hybrid, is supposed to deliver. To achieve this, the Italians have equipped the bike with a Mahle drivetrain and hub motor on the rear wheel. In addition, there is a new power sensor in the bottom bracket, a rear wheel that can be easily removed and an on-board computer as standard. All information on the Wilier Filante Hybrid can be found here in the official Wilier press release:

Wilier Filante Hybrid | Mahle X20 60 Nm/250 Wh | from € 9,400 | Manufacturer’s website

Hybrid Philosophy, Wilier Triestina Performance

It’s hard to believe that this bike hides a system providing electric pedal assist. Yet, it does. Filante Hybrid is an electric racing bike that integrates the lightest pedal assist system in the world: the new X20 motor by Mahle, a German multinational that is driving technological innovation toward zero-impact mobility.

Filante Hybrid was designed with a very specific objective: to help you go faster while minimising strain. By combining the new Mahle X20 system with everything we know about aerodynamic efficiency and by using composite materials, we have raised even further the performance of the Cento10 Hybrid, a product that has won major international awards over the seasons. An overall improvement in energy savings of practically 8%. Improved battery management and greater integration for better aerodynamics, lighter weight and better performance.

At Wilier Triestina, we believe that an electric bike isn’t a motor with a bicycle built around it, but a bicycle that has to provide all of the sensations of riding a traditional bike. That means that sporting performance is essential for riding and fully enjoying a Hybrid electric bikes characteristics. So, we try to optimise the product’s lightness, aerodynamics, integration and efficiency, just like we do for our racing bikes that will be ridden by the Astana Qazaqstan Team professionals.

Avant-guard frame

Filante Hybrid definitely resembles the Filante SLR, the bike used by Astana professional cyclists. There are no holes in the frame (except for the one required to recharge the battery), and the integrated monocoque carbon handlebar houses the derailleur cables and electrical system controls. The Hybrid also has the same aerodynamic carbon seat post as Filante.

New miniaturised motor

The X20 motor has been miniaturised to the max. It’s extremely lightweight (the complete system weighs just 3.6 kg for the X35 and 3.5 kg for the X20), with a modern straight pull spoke pattern and 24 spokes, a perfect match for Wilier Triestina’s carbon rims.

Mahle’s new X20 motor hub delivers 60 Nm of torque, but there’s more: the body can be removed easily from the “motor” casing for easy maintenance or replacement. Shimano, SRAM XDR and Campagnolo compatible bodies will soon be available.

New power sensor

To improve the riding experience, we have introduced a new bottom bracket with torque (power) and frequency sensor. The cyclist (through pedalling, ie. the power the cyclist delivers) communicates with the motor via the frequency and power sensor. The system reads the “pedalling power” to modulate the assistance delivered to give the cyclist a natural pedalling experience with no jerks, sudden accelerations or loss of assistance. For example, the motor will continue to deliver power smoothly even on steep inclines of over 10%. All of this is necessary as we move toward a cycling experience similar to that of a traditional bicycle. The power sensor (with the new firmware) also optimises battery consumption, since the power provided by the motor is much more sensitive and proportionate to the power delivered by the cyclist.

Built-in battery and battery life

The battery integrated in the down tube has a capacity of 250 Wh. An additional bottle-shaped battery can be on the seat post bottle holder to add 185 Wh to the system. As in the previous version, a software system and apps are available both for the user and the retailer to manage, monitor and configure the system.

Standard Pulsar One

Filante Hybrid comes standard with Pulsar One, a compact and easy-to-use on-board computer with a 2.1″ display that updates electrical system data and trip statistics in real time and lets the rider modify the level of pedal assistance if necessary. Pulsar One connects via the ANT+ protocol to the X20 system and to other sensors (cadence sensor, external power sensor and heart rate monitor) and the data can be displayed directly on the screen for a more complete experience.

Rear thru-axle

There’s one very important detail that makes Filante Hybrid totally novel for the category: the wheel that houses the new Mahle X20 motor can be assembled and disassembled quickly, just like on a traditional thru-axle racing bike. In addition to the ease and speed of wheel assembly and disassembly, the system automatically connects to the battery, so there are no more cables to be connected or disconnected by hand. It’s all done when you insert the wheel. How? It’s easy. The rear dropout has a slider with a built-in electrical connector that ensures the hub positions itself directlv in contact with the battery, quickly and with no risk of misalignment.

Total integration

The integrated handlebar is carbon monocoque and mimics the aerodynamic design of Filante Bar. However, in the hybrid version, the button and display of the new iWoc, the interface that gives access to the system and changes the pedal assistance mode, are hidden inside the handlebar stem. This unique design improves safety, since cyclists can select one of four power levels (automatic, eco, sport and boost) without having to remove their hands from the top of the handlebar. Mahle has improved iWoc’s ergonomics, ease of use and reading compared to the previous version. Cyclists can now see at a glance how much battery capacity remains and which assistance mode is selected.

Clearance & geometries

Tire clearance is suitable for a modern road bike and is compatible with rims for tires up to 32 mm wide. Filante Hybrid comes in geometries similar to those of our endurance models. Don’t expect an aggressive geometry, although the bike’s relaxed look, with a high stack and limited reach, can be deceiving. Six sizes available, from XS to XXL.

Size XS S M L XL XXL
Top tube 517 mm 532 mm 547 mm 558 mm 574 mm 592 mm
Seat tube 405 mm 435 mm 455 mm 475 mm 505 mm 535 mm
Head tube 117 mm 136 mm 157 mm 177 mm 196 mm 217 mm
Head angle 71° 71.5° 72° 72.5° 72.5° 72.5°
Seat angle 74.5° 74° 73.5° 73.5° 73° 72.5°
Chainstays 406 mm 406 mm 408 mm 408 mm 411 mm 411 mm
Wheelbase 974 mm 982 mm 991 mm 998 mm 1,012 mm 1,024 mm
Reach 369 mm 374 mm 379 mm 384 mm 389 mm 395 mm
Stack 527 mm 546 mm 566 mm 586 mm 604 mm 625 mm

With the Filante Hybrid, Wilier continues on a path that the company has already taken with the Cento10 Hybrid. The Mahle drive system is well integrated and contributes to a very clean design. Clever solutions such as the easy-to-remove rear wheel, the standard on-board computer and the electronics control located in the cockpit make you sit up and take notice. How the bike performs in the field remains to be seen.

For more information visit https://wilier.com/


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Words: Photos: Wilier