Wilier have set out to unite the worlds of all-road and gravel with the Rave SLR. To do so, the Italian brand rely on a carbon frame that can optionally be equipped with road or gravel components. Read on to find out how the gravel bike fares in this group test with its one-piece cockpit.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best gravel bike 2022 – 19 models on test
By swapping out the wheels, a bike can be adapted to suit different use cases. Wilier have taken this idea one step further, applying it to components such as the groupset and cockpit. The Wilier Rave SLR claims to be two bikes in one. An all-road and a gravel bike, both of which feature total integration and a clean design. The frame uses the same carbon composite as the Filante SLR, relying on their highest quality carbon fibres. Thus, the Rave SLR should be among the best in terms of weight, compliance and handling. When speccing our test bike, Wilier chose to go with the high-end, wireless SRAM Force eTap AXS XPLR groupset. The 1×12 drivetrain consists of a 40 t chainring and 10–44 t cassette, which suits the bike’s character and intended use. In most cases, you’ll have a suitable gear for the climbs. It’s just on the descents or very fast asphalt roads that you’ll run out of gears, struggling to hold the pace.
The brakes are also supplied by SRAM. The Force eTap AXS HRD are combined with 160 mm rotors front and rear, leaving absolutely nothing to be desired in terms of braking power and modulation. In size L, the € 8,400 test bike weighs just 7.70 kg, making it the second lightest bike on test after the Specialized S-Works Crux despite the high degree of integration.
You need to be strong to tighten the seat post, requiring more torque than the 10 Nm specified by the manufacturer.
The 160 mm rotor requires an adapter, so the calliper can’t be bolted directly to the frame.
There’s little clearance between the tires and the seat stays. You won’t have any problems in dry conditions, but they’re destined to get packed full of mud as soon as things get wet.
Wilier Rave SLR
€ 8,400
Specifications
Seatpost Rave SLR Custom Made
Brakes SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD 160/160 mm
Drivetrain SRAM Force eTap AXS XPLR 1x12
Stem J-Bar Integrated Carbon 111 mm
Handlebar J-Bar Integrated Carbon 450 mm
Wheelset Miche Carbo Graff
Tires Vittoria Terreno Dry Graphene 2.0 700 x 38C
Technical Data
Size XS S M L XL XXL
Weight 7.7 kg
Specific Features
unique one-piece cockpit design
excellent brake cable integration
different components can convert it to an all-road bike
The Wilier Rave SLR frame platform allows you to use different groupset configurations, whether it’s road- or gravel-specific or with one or two chainrings and a derailleur up front.
Only Wilier know why they call the Y-shaped handlebar a J-Bar. We would have much preferred a classic two-piece cockpit, though the J-Bar offers a good level of stiffness and aero optimisation.
The front thru-axle doesn’t have to be pulled out all the way, allowing you to remove the wheel through the open dropout once you’ve unthreaded the axle from the opposite side dropout.
All-road and gravel in one – the sporty carbon frame blurs the lines.
The so-called J-Bar cockpit is more reminiscent of a Y than a J. Regardless, the shape allows for clean internal cable routing and good aerodynamics. Due to the one-piece design, you’re limited in terms of adjustability, but Wilier claim that their in-house Accu Bike fitting system solves this problem, finding a suitable fit for every rider. You need to be strong to tighten the seat post clamp because it takes more than the manufacturer’s specified 10 Nm to keep the seat post securely in place.
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 510 mm | 527 mm | 545 mm | 561 mm | 579 mm | 597 mm |
| Seat tube | 450 mm | 480 mm | 500 mm | 520 mm | 540 mm | 560 mm |
| Head tube | 98 mm | 118 mm | 134 mm | 154 mm | 172 mm | 190 mm |
| Head angle | 70.0° | 70.0° | 71.0° | 71.0° | 71.5° | 72.0° |
| Seat angle | 75.0° | 74.5° | 74.0° | 73.5° | 73.0° | 72.5° |
| Chainstays | 421 mm | 422 mm | 423 mm | 423 mm | 425 mm | 427 mm |
| Wheelbase | 997 mm | 1.012 mm | 1.017 mm | 1.031 mm | 1.041 mm | 1.051 mm |
| Reach | 370 mm | 377 mm | 384 mm | 391 mm | 398 mm | 405 mm |
| Stack | 513 mm | 532 mm | 551 mm | 570 mm | 589 mm | 608 mm |
Pants Café du Cycliste Agathe | Shoes Giro Sector | Socks Ostroy In It For The Pics
Due to the two bike’s twofold all-road and gravel ambitions, the Rave SLR has more of an aggressive character. You’ll notice this on the first few metres aboard the bike. Thanks to its ample stiffness and low weight, the bike sprints very willingly. When riding at a medium pace, it will quickly pick up speed when you get on the pedals, and it loves going fast. The Wilier is just as good at holding its cruising speed and offers great efficiency, placing in the top third of the test field. So much speed needs to be controlled, and the Wilier allows you to do that too!
The brakes perform reliably, offering an added level of safety combined with 700 x 38C Vittoria Terreno Dry Graphene 2.0 tires, which perform excellently on the Miche Carbo Graff carbon wheels. The tires grip well on loose surfaces, whether it’s dry or damp. They only reach their limits when things get sopping wet. Together with the balanced handling between the front and rear, the wide 450 mm handlebar lets you stay in control at all times, instilling you with confidence.
Tuning tip: Two-piece cockpit for better after sale adjustability
The Rave SLR impressed us with its sporty, direct, and yet balanced handling, never failing to put a smile on our faces. Corners can be navigated with precision, and you can always hit your chosen line, no matter how fast you’re going. On rough terrain, it stays nicely composed. Overall, the bike offers a good combination of agility and composure without feeling too direct or overwhelming. Regarding comfort, the riding position is pleasantly balanced, neither overly stretched nor too upright. As such, you can remain comfortable during long days in the saddle. This is underlined by the bike’s excellent damping, which is the result of the frameset itself and the tires. On compact terrain, the Rave SLR does a good job of absorbing vibrations, but it reaches its limits as soon as things get loose, rough and rooted, letting the rider feel the impacts. In general, the bike’s comfort doesn’t come at the cost of its sportiness. The Wilier Rave SLR is designed for fast laps along compacted and smooth terrain. There’s nothing to stop you from tackling easy trails, but you’ll quickly find yourself underbiked.
Riding Characteristics
4Agility
- cumbersome
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- confident
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Fun factor
- boring
- lively
Comfort
- firm
- comfortable
Value for money
- terrible
- very good
Our conclusion on the Wilier Rave SLR
The Wilier Rave SLR delivers good acceleration and efficiency combined with direct yet balanced handling. Fast laps on compact surfaces are a blast aboard this bike. It will let you ride easy trails, but only if you’ve got the skills and experience. The integration is good, though the Rave SLR doesn’t have enough mounting points to be considered a good all-rounder and it’s somewhat limited by the lack of adjustability offered by the one-piece cockpit.
Tops
- good integration
- clean design
- balanced handling
- comfortable yet sporty
Flops
- the cockpit can only be adjusted at the time of purchasing the bike
- lacks mounting points
- seat post clamp doesn’t work as it should
You can find out more about at wilier.com
The testfield
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best gravel bike 2022 – 19 models on test
All bikes on review: 3T Exploro Ultra (Click for review) | BMC URS LT ONE (Click for review) | Cannondale SuperSix EVO SE (Click for review) | Canyon Grizl CF SLX 8 eTap Suspension (Click for review) | Cervélo Áspero GRX Di2 (Click for review) | CUBE Nuroad C:62 SLT (Click for review) | Curve Kevin of Steel III (Click for review) | Falkenjagd Aristos R (Click for review) | Felt Breed 20 (Click for review) | FOCUS ATLAS 6.8 (Click for review) | GIANT Revolt Advanced 0 (Click for review) | OPEN WI.DE. (Click for review) | Ridley Kanzo Fast (Click for review) | ROSE BACKROAD EKAR LTD (Click for review) | SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Crux (Click for review) | Stelbel Nina XCr (Click for review) | Storck GRIX.2 Platinum (Click for review) | Wilier Rave SLR
No, it’s not about perfect race tracks, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along high-speed passages need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret “Smooth tarmac” bikes as follows: Hard efforts at high speeds with a maximum efficient bike on a consistently well-paved road. Effort-joy ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!)↩
… also known as bike riding. Broken-up roads in the hinterland, deadlocked gravel roads, loose surfaces – sometimes muddy, sometimes bone-dry. For this, it takes bikes with super all-round, handling and wearing qualities uphill and downhill. Effort-joy ratio: 50:50↩
If you want to use your bike almost every day, you usually do not need an extremely tuned racing machine. Solid components, which are able to cope with the rigours of continuous usage in any kind of weather, are part of the basic equipment. At the same time, the bike should have practicable details: integrated fenders/assembly options, luggage racks/attachment points and a light system or at least the option of installing bike lights. The position on the bike should be rather relaxed, the overall comfort high, so that the Afterwork Ride becomes a cure and not a curse. Effort-joy ratio: 30:70↩
You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩
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Words: Mike Hunger Photos: Benjamin Topf, Peter Walker
