Wilier Cento10NDR Review

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: Sylvain Pigeau – 3bikes.fr

The Cento10NDR is a kind of hybrid bike in the Wilier range. A modern bike that benefits from an aerodynamic profile and superb integration of electronic shifting wires and brake hoses inside the head tube and frame tubes, but also from options that promote comfort such as the rear triangle’s shock absorber system, compatibility with tires up to 32 mm wide, and geometry for a slightly more upright position.

However, the first thing that strikes you about the Cento10NDR is its dual compatibility with disc or rim brakes. At a time when the usefulness of disc brakes can still be questioned, you don’t have to make a definitive choice when purchasing the frameset (3800 € with seatpost and cockpit). It can indeed be combined with disc brakes with thru-axles and 160 mm rotors or Direct Mount brake calipers with quick releases. At the front, the fork is designed for both types of mounting, with the appropriate fastening systems, and at the rear, an aluminum arch takes the place of the rim brake caliper to stiffen the seatstays if disc brakes are chosen. The front and rear wheel dropouts are also specific and interchangeable for each of the two options.

The rear shock absorber system

While not entirely new in the field (see the review of the Trek Madone, or the Lapierre Xelius), Wilier has developed its own rear shock absorber system, or more precisely, vibration dissipation system, with an elastomer link between the main triangle’s seat tube and the seatstays. Available in three density levels, with three different colors for recognition, this famous elastomer allows the system called Actiflex to be adjusted to provide a few millimeters of flex to the rear triangle in the best possible way depending on the terrain and the user’s weight, without however interfering with the frame’s lateral stiffness. According to Wilier, this elastomer possesses excellent mechanical properties and very high resistance, with an operating range of -40 to +150°C.

A frame derived from the Cento10AIR

The Cento10NDR frame also bears strong resemblances to the Cento10AIR, the model dedicated to pure competition with aerodynamic tubes developed according to Naca algorithms. And just like the 10AIR, the 10NDR’s tubes benefit from the Kamm Tail concept, with a truncated tail, to reduce weight while increasing torsional stiffness, without altering aerodynamic efficiency. A very high-end frame, the Cento10NDR is composed of different types of carbon fibers, with MR60H fibers (elastic modulus of 60 tons/mm2) for stiffness and lightness, as well as T800H fibers (elastic modulus of 30 tons/mm2) and T700SC fibers (elastic modulus of 24 tons/mm2), for strength and a certain form of flexibility. Wilier adds a viscoelastic film called SEI between the different layers of carbon fibers to increase impact resistance and vibration absorption.

The six sizes offered benefit from the Balanced Design concept, which in other words offers different tube sections depending on the size to provide identical dynamic qualities regardless of the bike’s size. A design also used by other brands, such as Specialized with the Venge.

It is in terms of geometry that the Cento10NDR particularly distinguishes itself from other high-end Wilier models, with a raised head tube and a shortened top tube for each frame size compared to a 10AIR, for example, in order to offer a more comfortable riding position, but one that remains in the bike’s Grand Touring spirit.

The very wide bottom bracket shell, which rests on the bottom of an imposing down tube, reflects the desire for lateral stiffness of a frame that is otherwise not particularly light, as it is announced at 1190 g. Nothing to say, however, in terms of finish, with five colors offered, including the famous Ramato finish, even if the matte part of our test model is not easy to clean.

The in-house cockpit consists of separate handlebars and stem that integrate the cables, then route them inside the head tube, before redirecting them inside the frame tubes. Specific spacers placed under the stem allow for height adjustment to a certain extent without affecting the internal routing.

But in the case of a mechanical drivetrain and the choice of rim braking, the cables then run partly externally, thanks to covers concealing the frame’s compatibility with these systems. In this case, it is with this very high-end Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 disc setup that the Wilier Cento10NDR is visually the most fluid and aerodynamic.

Only the seatpost ultimately contrasts a little with the purity of these lines, since with its 27.2 mm diameter and its classic clamp fastening system, it is mainly intended to preserve some comfort.

Comfortable and easy to access

The very high-end setup we benefited from for the Cento10NDR test, with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Disc and Mavic Ksyrium Pro Carbon UST wheels at 10,300 €, is not the only one offered, far from it, since prices for a complete bike start at 4,750 €, and in Shimano, Sram or Campagnolo, 26 variants are available.

At 7.870 kg in size S without pedals, it is not really light, but as is the case with many disc bikes, especially those equipped with large 28 mm tires as here.

Fortunately, the Mavic tubeless tires combined with the excellent Ksyrium carbon wheels benefit from very good rolling qualities and super reassuring grip, in addition to contributing to the bike’s comfort.

With a deeper profile than the rim-brake model (32 mm vs. 25 mm), the Ksyrium wheels here are an excellent compromise for facing the wind as well as climbs. In this configuration, the bike is slightly lacking in responsiveness, but it proves very pleasant when riding at a steady pace, with a feeling of ease characteristic of Italian bikes and Wilier in particular. Easy to get going, the Cento10NDR rolls without any perceived friction, and the acquired speed is thus easy to maintain. A kind of positive inertia, but while gliding over road imperfections.

Laterally stiff, it doesn’t flex when you push the gears and accepts powerful climbs without giving the impression of coming apart. Comfort is ensured both by the rear triangle, which absorbs shocks well, allowing the rear wheel to stay glued to the ground without any rebound effect, and by the 28 mm tubeless tires. We can also add the quality of the groupset with hydraulic levers identical to the rim-brake version, the precision of the Di2, and the excellent 11-30 cassette, whose gearing allows you to keep the large chainring almost everywhere while maintaining an ideal pedaling cadence. It’s when significantly increasing speed that the Wilier falls short compared to so-called competition bikes, such as the Factor One for example. Firstly because of the gearing (and the 50-tooth chainring), and secondly because its handling becomes a little less precise on fast descents with varied surfaces. In these conditions, the Actiflex at the rear, the 28 mm tires, and the slightly more upright torso position make it lose a little precision.

Even though we are used to more incisive bikes focused on pure performance, it must be admitted that the Cento10NDR provides an extra degree of ease at low speeds, and pleasure when you’re not particularly in top form. For usual training paces, it’s an ideal riding companion, easy to access and not laterally restricted, which you even find yourself imagining on terrains even rougher than simple country asphalt. Cobblestones or gravel paths, it should be able to satisfy with tires up to 32 mm wide. You shouldn’t think it’s sluggish for all that. And that’s Wilier’s success with this bike with its fluid, clean lines, which doesn’t distract with parasitic noises (apart from some disc rub), and which accommodates sustained steady paces while maintaining comfort and efficiency. The true definition of a sportive practice, in reality.

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