Wilier’s latest prototype time trail bike called the Turbine SLR, was spotted during stage 2 of last weekend’s Giro d’Italia, combining the front-end attributes of the Italian brand’s outgoing Turbine with a much more traditional rear-triangle.
“The Turbine SLR is much faster on roads with slopes and continuous changes of direction, while less weight means greater acceleration,” claims Wilier.
While the front end of the Turbine SLR appears to be unchanged compared to the current model, featuring the same hinged fork and large, truncated aerofoil downtube, the new frame suggests the addition of proprietary carbon fiber time trial extensions, as evidenced by some of the Team Astana bikes.
But, perhaps the most noticeable change is the bike’s rear-end, which features a revamped seat tube, seat post, seat stays and chainstays, all showing significantly slimmer profiles, similar to what’s found Wilier’s Filante SLR road bike.
Curiously, the team bikes appear to be fitted with Corima tubular wheelsets, an interesting choice given the ever-increasing trend toward tubeless-ready wheels, while the drivetrains reveal what looks be an optimized version of the CeramicSpeed OSPW system, complete with a carbon fairing that covers the rear derailleur pulley wheels.
It will be interesting see when the new Turbine SLR will make its official debut, and what the cost will be.
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