Wilier Rave SLR review – In our 2025 Gravel Race Bike Comparison Test

Two personalities, one bike: the Wilier Rave SLR aims to blend gravel performance and all-road speed. With its premium paint finish, all-road geometry and agile handling, it wants to impress on both tarmac and and gravel. But can a bike without a dedicated gravel race setup really compete against purpose-built race machines? Our test reveals just how much gravel grit is hidden in the Rave.

Wilier are the embodiment of Italian elegance, and the Rave SLR is no exception. With its sleek frame silhouette, deep purple-black finish and minimalist design, the Rave bike turns heads before you even turn a pedal. But it’s not just about style – the Rave SLR lines up in this group test as a performance-driven all-road machine with a clear focus on gravel-racing.

Tipping the scales at just 7.6 kg, the Wilier is among the lightest bikes in this test. Wilier went all in on performance with the Rave, deliberately leaving out anything that doesn’t serve the ride – no bag mounts, no integrated storage solutions, nothing to weigh it down. The 40 mm semi-slick tires and a maximum clearance of 42 mm hint at blistering speed on fast gravel and tarmac, though they don’t leave much room for comfort when the going gets rough. With a price tag of € 10,500, the Rave SLR is playing in the premium league. But does this sleek, somewhat single-minded Italian steed have the versatility to cope with the demands of real-world gravel racing?

Caught Between Two Different Dimensions – The Wilier Rave SLR at a Glance

Rather than designing an all-new gravel race bike from the ground up, Wilier took an existing all-road platform and gave it a light touch-up – mainly a few extra millimetres of tire clearance. With this modest update, the Rave is now positioned as Wilier’s only gravel race bike, ready to push far beyond the tarmac.

That said, with a maximum tire clearance of 42 mm, the Rave SLR falls noticeably short of the test group average, which hovers around 46 mm. And that’s despite the fact that modern gravel racing is increasingly played out on rough tracks and sticky mud. Sure, tire clearance isn’t everything when it comes to race credentials, but it does send a clear signal: what passed for cutting-edge just three years ago is already starting to look a little dated.

The Specs of the Wilier Rave SLR

At first glance, the spec sheet of the Wilier Rave SLR reads like a patriotic nod to its Italian roots – with the notable exception of a SRAM RED XPLR AXS drivetrain, nearly every component comes from the manufacturer’s home country. The 42 mm Miche Carbo Graff aero wheels underline the bike’s racing DNA, just like Wilier’s in-house carbon one-piece cockpit. Finished in stealthy matte black, the cockpit fits seamlessly into the Rave’s elegant colour scheme. However, at 42 cm wide, it feels oddly dated compared to modern gravel cockpits – take the 36 cm wide Parapera cockpit, for instance, which sets a more progressive benchmark. In this context, the cockpit’s dimensions seem just as conservative as the Rave’s tire clearance.

Wilier specced 40 mm Vittoria Terreno Dry semi-slicks to ensure low rolling resistance on both tarmac and gravel. But while they may look the part, in our gravel tire group test they failed to impress – falling short on both rolling resistance and grip.

The SRAM RED XPLR drivetrain is built around a big 42T chainring and a 10–46 cassette, which makes for a wide 460% gear range. But despite the premium price tag, it’s the only drivetrain in this test without a power meter, which is rather surprising,especially given that the ROSE BACKROAD FF has the exact same drivetrain with a power meter, and costs € 3,000 less. For a race bike retailing at over € 10,000, this feels like a serious omission.

The Geometry of the Wilier Rave SLR

The geometry of the Rave SLR reveals its sporty character. With a relatively stretched-out riding position and a stack-to-reach ratio of 1.46, it clearly leans towards racing without pushing the envelope. The wheelbase of 1,031 mm sits squarely in the middle of the field, as do the 423 mm chainstays. Compared to particularly agile all-road bikes like the Parapera Anemos² and the Superior XR 9.7 GF, both of which feature significantly shorter chainstays, the Wilier is noticeably more stable and composed.

All in all, the Rave SLR is a well-specced race bike that looks promising on paper. But how does this elegant Italian racer handle the rough stuff out in the real world?

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Seat Tube	432 mm	462 mm	482 mm	502 mm	522 mm	542 mm
Top Tube	510 mm	527 mm	545 mm	561 mm	579 mm	597 mm
Head Tube	98 mm	118 mm	134 mm	154 mm	172 mm	189 mm
Head Angle	70°	70°	71°	71°	71.5°	72°
Seat Angle	75°	74.5°	74°	73.5°	73°	72.5°
Chainstay	421 mm	422 mm	423 mm	423 mm	425 mm	427 mm
BB Drop	45 mm	48 mm	50 mm	52 mm	54 mm	56 mm
Wheelbase	997 mm	1012 mm	1017 mm	1031 mm	1041 mm	1051 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

Ready to Rave: The Wilier Rave SLR on Test

The name alone of the 7.62 kg Rave SLR already gives away its character – this bike wants to dance. Off the line, it holds its own against the Canyon Grail CFR XPLR, though the featherweight S-Works Crux still pulls ahead more effortlessly on steep climbs thanks to its low system weight and explosive uphill pace.

Where the Wilier truly shines is in the handling. Agile and responsive, it flies through tight corners with a playful, lively feel that clearly sets it apart from more composed machines like the MERIDA SILEX and the smooth-sailing Cannondale SuperX. The sharp character pays dividends on twisty race courses. But on more technical terrain, the tables begin to turn.

Purple and black? It gives off a vibe of Ursula in Disney’s Little Mermaid.

The 40 mm Vittoria Terreno Dry semi-slicks generate only moderate traction on loose surfaces compared to more aggressively-profiled models. In fast corners, traction feels vague, and on rough descents, the lack of damping becomes noticeable. Needless to say, this comes at the expense of confidence – especially when you compare the Wilier to bikes like the ROSE BACKROAD FF, which deliver more stability even with the same tyre width.

Comfort and stability are also tilted towards the racier end of the spectrum. The seat stays have enough flex to smooth out some vibrations, but the firm cockpit and narrow tires make for a rather harsh front end. Road buzz gets passed straight through to your hands, which can become tiring on long, rough sections. If you’re looking for more compliance at the front, bikes like the Trek Checkmate and Canyon Grail are more comfortable in this respect. On top of that, the tight tire clearance gives little room to wiggle – 42 mm is the absolute limit for both fork and frame.

In a narrower sense, the Rave is still a versatile option – as long as you’re mostly riding on fast, compact terrain. Here it combines sharp handling, race-ready precision and plenty of Italian style. But when things get loose and muddy, it runs out of talent. The tires and the stiff front-end aren’t very forgiving, and on technical or messy courses, it struggles to keep pace. If you’re looking for a true all-rounder with wider capabilities, the Canyon Grail CFR XPLR is the better option.

Tuning tip: Swap in a set of lightweight, grippier tires and you’ll unlock the bike’s full potential – more speed, more control, more fun.

What Type of Races is the Wilier Race SLR made for?

The Wilier Rave SLR makes a strong case for itself with its low system weight, snappy acceleration and uncompromising all-road character. It’s a great fit for fast courses with plenty of hardpack, compact gravel and stretches of smooth tarmac. On these kinds of routes, it delivers an agile ride with precise handling and impressive efficiency.

However, once the terrain gets rougher and more technical, the Rave starts to show its limitations. With a maximum tire clearance of just 42 mm, it lacks the damping and control needed for tougher conditions. That’s a real drawback in races like Unbound and Badlands, where tire clearance, grip and mud-shedding qualities can make or break your day. But if you’re after a sporty gravel bike that handles tarmac with confidence after a quick tire swap, the Rave SLR could be just the ticket.

Conclusions about the Wilier Rave SLR

The Wilier Rave SLR impresses with a low system weight, razor-sharp handling and sheer fun on fast, firm terrain. Its road racing DNA really comes to life on tarmac and smooth gravel, where it delivers a responsive, exhilarating ride. But when things get rough, the all-road concept starts to run out of steam. There’s not much in the way of damping, grip is limited and tire clearance leaves little room for adjustment. If you’re after a lightweight, stylish race bike that thrives on speed and clean lines, the Rave SLR is a solid choice. But for ultra-distance gravel events and highly technical racecourses, there are far better-equipped bikes in this test field.

More info at wilier.com.

The test field

This bike was tested as part of the 2025 Race Gravel Bike comparison test – you can find an overview of this group test and all other tested race gravel bikes here:

All bikes in review: 3T Extrema Italia | Cannondale SuperX 2 | Canyon Grail CFR XPLR | Falkenjagd Aristos SL | Merida Silex 8000 | Parapera Anemos² | Rose Backroad FF RED XPLR AXS | Scott Addict Gravel RC | Superior XR 9.7 GF | Specialized S-Works Crux | Trek Checkmate SLR 9 AXS | Wilier Rave SLR

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Words: Jan Fock Photos: Jan Richter