Wilier Lifts the Curtains on New Rave SLR for Both Gravel and Road

Wilier has lifted the curtains on its latest Rave SLR, targeting both gravel grinders and roadies alike with one model that rules all. 

Borrowing heavily from the Italian brand’s Filante SLR and Zero SLR, the Rave SLR features a similar carbon fiber construction and geometry, resulting in an ideal balance between weight and stiffness that’s capable of tackling both off-road and on-road pursuits.

“If we translate performance into concrete aspects, it’s about a frame that is light, responsive (stiff where necessary) and features racing geometries,” says Wilier. “To create a light frame, we used the same carbon mix found in the Filante SLR and the Zero SLR.”

“To create a reactive frame, we’ve channelled all the experience gained in the use of techno-polymers, mixing carbon with special viscoelastic fibers such as liquid crystal polymers. Construction technologies [have been] borrowed from those used for the Filante SLR and the Wilier 0 SLR, products that offer an excellent riding quality,” Wilier adds. 

As one would expect, the duties of the new Rave SLR are designated by the drivetrain and the type of handlebar and stem combination the bike is equipped with, relying on Wilier’s J-Bar for the road less traveled, or the brand’s O Bar for riders who prefer to stick more to the tarmac – with both bars offering full cable and hose integration through the stem before routing them into the frame via a cavity in the composite headset spacers.

The spacers themselves, feature a two-part design, allowing the sections to be separated in order to adjust proper stack height – without needing to disconnect the hoses and cables.

Other features that highlight the Rave SLR include Mavic’s Speed Release thru-axles, allowing for wheel changes without the need for removing the axle fully from the hub, along with a new wedge-style seatpost.

All in, Wilier says the Race SLR frame tips the scales at an impressive 950g, while the fork weighs in at 415g, offering enough clearance for tires up to a whopping 42mm on 700C wheels.

Regarding geometry, Wilier describes the following:

“To create a frame with balanced racing geometries, we started with top range road racing references and mixed them with frame parts of endurance and gravel origin, all without distorting the performance target that we set for ourselves at the start of the design phase,” says Wilier. “A slightly higher stack and a somewhat shorter reach compared to a pure competition bike, combined with the available carbon monocoque handlebars, become the perfect synthesis between high performance and comfort.”

The Rave SLR is available in black/grey matt and sand/green matt finishes, with the gravel-focussed variant equipped with a choice between a Campagnolo Ekar, Shimano GRX, or the new SRAM Force AXS XPLR groupset, while the road version is offered with either the new Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 or Ultegra Di2, as well as a SRAM Force AXS drivetrain. 

Wilier Rave SLR gravel with Wilier J-bar

• Wilier Rave SLR with a Wilier J-Bar, SRAM Force AXS and Miche Graff carbon wheels for £8,680
• Shimano GRX Di2 2×11 groupset with Miche Graff carbon wheels for £8,680
• Campagnolo Ekar groupset with Campagnolo Shamal carbon wheels for £8,580

Wilier Rave SLR road with Wilier 0-bar

• Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset with Wilier SLR 42 KC carbon wheels for £11,350
• Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset with Wilier SLR 42 KC carbon wheels for £9,300
• SRAM Force AXS 2 x 12 groupset with Wilier SLR 42 KC carbon wheels for £9,300

Wilier