Gravel Racer With Disco Vibes: the Wilier Rave SLR ID2 First Ride Review

Ready to rave? The new Wilier Rave SLR ID2 is louder, wider, and promises to be a whole lot faster, too. Forget the all-road compromises its predecessor called for – this one’s all-in on gravel racing, with fresh aero touches, 52 mm tire clearance, and a look that’s straight out of an acid trip. And no, despite the ID2 name, this isn’t Volkswagen’s electric hatchback.

“ID2” might sound like a charging cable or voice assistant at first, but what Wilier delivered with the new Rave SLR ID2 is anything but streamlined monotony. It’s bold, loud, unapologetic – and it wants just one thing: to win races. With the Rave SLR ID2, the Italian cult manufacturer brings an update to the stage that’s not just visually reminiscent of a neon rave party. Technically, too, this bike breaks new ground and ditches old-school all-road compromises without a second thought.

With an price of € 9,900, the new flagship model isn’t just € 300 cheaper than its predecessor, but also comes specced with chunky 50 mm tires and room to go even wider, up to 52 mm. Finally! The predecessor’s 42 mm clearance was barely enough for muddy conditions, let alone modern gravel racing. So the big question is: does this rave-styled racing monster truck have what it takes to make it onto the gravel podium? We put it to the test to find out.

Pixel green, not Hulk green: a closer look at the Wilier Rave SLR ID2

Just last year, Wilier made a bold statement in Hulk green with the Verticale SLR – now comes the sequel in a slightly darker shade. According to Wilier, the new Pixel Green draws inspiration from old CRT monitors and rave lasers lighting up the dancefloor. So if you’re after a bike with race-day attitude and disco flair, you’ve just found it. 😉

The frame alone means business. The wide, dropped seat stays are even more pronounced than on the Wilier Filante SLR, giving the rear triangle a look that’s closer to a road bike than a gravel rig. The downtube features a distinctive aero profile– narrow and flat near the head tube, broad through the midsection, and then tapering down towards the bottom bracket. It’s a silhouette that instantly recalls the 3T Exploro RaceMax– and not by accident. The narrow upper section reduces frontal drag, while the broader lower profile is designed to guide airflow cleanly around the bottles.

Lettering, detailing and shimmering decals on the Miche Graff Aero 48 wheels round off the visual fireworks. Only the neon green highlights on the fork and seat stays seem a little out of sync with the otherwise harmonious chromatic palette.

At just 8.0 kg in size L, the new Rave SLR ID2 is one of the lightest race gravel bikes money can buy – considering it rolls on generously sized 50 mm tires. According to Wilier, the frame alone tips the scales at just 900 g.

For context’s sake: the 3T Exploro RaceMax Italia, running similarly wide tyres, came in noticeably heavier in our group test. The Rose Backroad FF is in the same class in terms of total system weight, but it comes with narrower tires. Compared to the previous model, the ID2 has put on around 400 g, but it’s a well-judged trade-off: you get far more clearance for wide tires, increased stiffness and a clear bump in aero performance.

While the previous model tried to walk the thin line between all-road and gravel, the new Rave SLR ID2 doesn’t zigzag around anymore. Its predecessor aimed to be a bit of everything: part all-road racer, part gravel machine, with two cockpit options and limited tire clearance– a compromise that never fully committed to either asphalt or gravel. It was a bike caught between worlds, but without a clear focus on the start line. The new Rave SLR ID2 changes all that. It’s a purebred race gravel bike, built for speed, efficiency and all-out attacks on the dirt. Tyre clearance has been bumped up to 52 mm, the front derailleur mount has been ditched, and the aero shaping has been taken up a notch. And despite its generous clearance and plenty of mounting points, the new Rave SLR is anything but a laid-back bikepacking rig– the aggressive look makes this clear straight away. The spec leaves no doubt either.

Italo disco vibes: the spec of the Wilier Rave SLR ID2

Our Wilier Rave SLR ID2 test bike makes one thing clear right away: gravel racing, according to Wilier, means top-tier components with unmistakable Italian flair. True to Wilier’s philosophy, most components are from Italian brands – everything except the drivetrain, which comes from across the pond. At its core is a SRAM RED XPLR AXS groupset, paired with a 10–46 cassette and a 40-tooth chainring. It’s a setup that delivers a pleasantly wide gear range for punchy climbs and rolling terrain. But let’s be honest, when it comes to racing, speed is the name of the game. And before long, you’ll be wishing for a bigger chainring up front.

Alongside the new green and two additional colour options, there’s also a welcome comeback for the familiar, vibrant purple. The new Rave SLR ID2 is available in a total of nine spec options, and four paint jobs: Pixel Green, Glitch Black, Neon Purple and Byte Cream. Prices start at € 4,400 for the entry-level model with a mechanical Shimano GRX 1×12 drivetrain, and go up to € 9,900 for the top-tier spec with wireless SRAM RED XPLR AXS.

The more affordable versions with GRX or RIVAL groupsets come with a conventional two-piece cockpit and alternative wheelsets, also from Italian brand Miche. These setups feature shallower rims, which are designed for all-round performance. Whether a SL version will be offered remains to be seen.

Wilier did it again– no power meter. And on a bike pushing to € 10,000 that’s clearly built with the UCI Gravel Series in mind, this feels like a step back into the analogue era. The previous model already showed up to our race gravel group test without one, and once again, it’s a real missed opportunity.

Wilier forgo a front derailleur mount to make room for wider tires– a clear statement in favour of 1x drivetrains and maximum clearance. But this also means that 2x groupsets like Shimano’s GRX 2×12 are off the table.

With its 114 mm stem and 390 mm wide bars, the in-house F-Bar cockpit echoes the clean, elegant setup already seen on the Wilier Filante SLR. The Miche Graff Aero 48 carbon wheelset rounds off the look– deep, fast and finished with glossy decals, it brings plenty of style to the party. Wrapped around them are chunky Vittoria Terreno T50 Mixed tires in a generous 700 x 50C, offering loads of volume for traction, comfort and control on rough terrain.

The geometry of the Wilier Rave SLR ID2

The geometry sends a clear message too. With a stack-to-reach ratio of 1.47 in size L, it promises a sporty yet not overly aggressive riding position. For comparison’s sake, the winner of our 2025 race gravel bike group test, the Rose Backroad FF, comes in at a noticeably more stretched 1.41. Add in short 421 mm chainstays and a compact wheelbase, and you’ve got all the right ingredients for quick handling and punchy acceleration. Wilier opted for classic race gravel geometry– performance-focused, but without pushing the boundaries.

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Reach	375 mm	381 mm	387 mm	393 mm	400 mm	408 mm
Stack	532 mm	546 mm	561 mm	579 mm	597 mm	617 mm
Chainstay	419 mm	419 mm	421 mm	421 mm	423 mm	423 mm
Seat Tube	450 mm	480 mm	500 mm	520 mm	540 mm	560 mm
Seat Angle	75.5°	74.7°	74°	73.5°	73°	73°
Head Angle	69.2°	70°	70.8°	71.2°	71.6°	72°
Top Tube	516 mm	532 mm	549 mm	566 mm	583 mm	597 mm
Head Tube	107 mm	118 mm	131 mm	148 mm	166 mm	185 mm
Wheelbase	1014 mm	1017 mm	1022 mm	1031 mm	1042 mm	1052 mm

Neon green dance moves? Testing the Wilier Rave SLR ID2

The new Wilier Rave SLR ID2 looks like a dancefloor on two wheels– and rides like one too. The integrated F-Bar cockpit impresses with excellent ergonomics: 390 mm across the tops and 420 mm in the drops pair perfectly with the size L frame. Narrow enough for flat-out speed, wide enough for confident control in the drops. The gracefully flared lower section also gives you a secure grip when the trail gets rough. Everything fits, everything clicks– and you feel it in the handling. The Rave SLR ID2 steers with razor-sharp precision, and despite the 50 mm Terreno tires, it’s surprisingly nimble. It inspires instant confidence. Tight corners turn into playgrounds, and evasive moves at high speed feel natural and controlled.

And on technical descents? That’s where the Rave plays its comfort card. While the frame stays relatively stiff, the voluminous tires smooth out the rough stuff with ease. The result? More confidence, more speed– and that one perfect line you’d never have dared to ride before.

Out of the saddle, the Wilier shows its true colours. The acceleration is explosive and immediate– no hesitation, no sponginess. Put the watts in, get pure drive out. And that’s not just on loose terrain: even on tarmac, the Rave feels surprisingly light on its feet given the sheer volume of rubber. At the same time, the frame stays impressively stiff under power and load– there’s no energy lost, just full-on efficiency. Despite what you might expect, those chunky tires roll smoothly over gravel and asphalt alike. This means you can carry serious speed not just downhill, but also on the flats and even on the climbs. A power meter would make pacing even better, of course. All in all, the new Rave SLR ID2 is an absolute blast to ride– and it delivers on every promise when it comes to gravel race performance.

Tuning Tip: If you’re serious about racing, it’s worth considering an upgrade to a larger chainring with an integrated power meter.

Who should take a closer look at the Wilier Rave SLR ID2?

The Rave SLR ID2 is aimed at riders who crave precision, agility and responsiveness in gravel races. Whether you’re pushing hard through tight corners, launching attacks or flying over fast courses, Wilier built a tool that’s up for the job. Ambitious racers looking to fight for the front at events like The Traka or Unbound will find in the ID2 a race platform that doesn’t just follow the pace– it sets it.

But even if your name’s not on a UCI Gravel Series start list, and you’re simply after a sharp, sporty gravel bike with serious style, the Rave still delivers. Despite its race-ready DNA, it surprises with comfort, confident grip and a playful character that makes every ride genuinely fun.

Conclusions

With the Rave SLR ID2, Wilier didn’t just deliver a simple update– they’ve made a bold statement: no more all-road compromises, this is a true gravel race machine. Agile, precise and surprisingly comfortable, it feels right at home in corners, on fast courses and across rough terrain. The look might divide opinion, but the performance is undeniable. The only real drawback is the lack of a power meter. Even so, this is a seriously fun gravel racer with unmistakable race DNA.

Find out more on wilier.com

---

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Jan Fock Photos: Jan Fock