The Izoard XP is one of the best bikes for the money – period. You get much more than you pay for, as evidenced by its prestigious award as Outside Magazine’s 2011 Gear of the Year. The Izoard is a performance machine that will give any rider more confidence in corners and on descents. The Izoard has been a top selling Wilier Triestina model for several years. Our 2012 Izoard XP is the perfect bike for the entry level racer who demands light weight and performance with an emphasis on comfort.
Frame and Equipment:
The Izoard’s pure mathematics stays just about on a par with their topping sport bikes (such because the grandparent Turismo) however adds a bit length to the chainstays, which mixes with slender seatstays to feature plushness to the ride.
The frame and fork, though basically a similar style as last year, have a brand new carbon basketball shot that’s helped shift a couple of grams. Cabling is all external, that is less complicated for mechanics however less thus if you ever feel the requirement to upgrade to electronic.
As the Izoard style hasn’t modified basically, the face remains engineered around a typical straight head tube. Its longer dimensions, mated to a broad-crowned fork, mean it’s as stiff and direct-handling as you’d want, though, thus there isn’t any real ought to update it to this fashion for all things tapered.
Ride and Handling:
It’s the handling of the Izoard, that we have a tendency to favorite before, that also sets it apart; the longer tail end induces comfort whereas the front retains a pointy, snappy feel that we have a tendency to go with the most effective of the Italian breed. The new, lighter pin sport five wheel package adds to the bike’s chirpy pickup once fast, and add worth too.
Wilier have opted to suit principally own-brand finishing kit, however the bar, stem, seatpost, cranks and brakes ar all from FSA. The shallow drop bar enhances the sportive-focused ride absolutely and also the cranks run swimmingly.
The Wilier saddle is by Selle Italy and modelled on their Q-bik style – broad and flat-nosed with a slim profile, it’s a lot of cushioned than some and more well-off than most.
Our real criticism of the XP is right down to the best of things – its tyres. nice tyres will rework a motorcycle, with slick, quick rubber adding to even the foremost average of rides. Sadly, Wilier keep dogging with AN own-brand tyre (which we have a tendency to modified once our initial few outings).
Underneath the daring graphics may be a exhausting rolling compound with a waxy surface that’s uneven within the dry and downright slippery within the wet. Gaining enough grip in foul conditions meant dropping the psi, that helped a bit however left USA liable to punctures. Like carrying trainers with a dinner suit, this final bit embarrasses what’s otherwise a really fine ride.
COMPLETE BIKE SPEC:
The Izoard XP is available at retailers as a stock complete bike in the following spec:
Headset: FSA ORBIT CE
Seatpost: FSA SL-280 31.6 WILIER CUSTOM
Shifters: SHIMANO ULTEGRA 6700
Rear derailleur: SHIMANO ULTEGRA 6700
Front derailleur: SHIMANO ULTEGRA 6700
Brake Calipers: FSA GOSSAMER WILIER CUSTOM
Crankset: FSA GOSSAMER (50/34) WILIER CUSTOM
Bottom Bracket: FSA MEGA EXO
Handlebar: FSA OMEGA COMP. WILIER CUSTOM
Stem: FSA OS-190 LX WILIER CUSTOM
Saddle: Q-BIK WILIER CUSTOM
Cassette: SHIMANO TIAGRA (12/25)
Chain: SHIMANO TIAGRA
Wheels: SHIMANO RS30
Tires: VITTORIA RUBINO RIGIDE
Colors: RED OR MATTE BLACK
Image Credit © Wilier
