The 2009 Cento 1 from Wilier

You may have already guessed that Cento Uno means one hundred and one in Italian. Soon after the development and release of Wilier’s centenary edition Cento, we began considering every aspect of a road bike and what we could do to improve or enhance our existing designs.

We had already developed the world’s slipperiest time trial bike, the Cento Crono, with help from one of the foremost authorities on aerodynamics. Meanwhile, the Cento was already receiving rave reviews and riding to victory with Damiano Cunego. We were even experimenting with new designs for the bikes our Lampre riders – including Alessandro Ballan – would power over the cobblestones at the next editions of Paris‐Roubaix.

With experience and a heritage that date back to 1906, Wilier Triestina understands that no company, rider or brand has the luxury to rest on laurels of past glory. We won’t ever forget riders like Cottur and Pantani, or our myriad professional and amateur victories, but we’ll never use them as an excuse, either. You may be wondering what we’ve “done for you lately” – what Wilier has in store for you in 2009 – so we’d like to present our flagship ride for the coming season, the Cento Uno.

What it’s made of

Like all carbon frame builders, we first “source” the raw materials that will serve as the foundation for our bikes. As an Italian company, we take this step very seriously; it’s in our blood. We know that the best ingredients make for the best finished product... For the Cento Uno, we have implemented Mitsubishi’s “46Ton,” the world’s strongest, most resilient carbon fiber.

New rear triangle and “suspended” dropouts

The construction of the rear triangle is now more fully integrated, taking advantage of the capabilities and characteristics of this kind of high modulus prepreg carbon fiber. Chainstays and seatstays are unified as a single, monocoque unit. They are also asymmetrical, with the drive side stays differing from the non‐drive side based on the forces applied to a frame during power transfer. Instead of conventional conjoining of the chain and seatstays at a sharp angle, with dropouts serving as the point of contact, the angle has been “softened” to dampen and dissipate road surface impacts and vibrations. Dropouts now extend from the unified stays, suspended from above.
The drive side carbon chainstay has a concave surface into which a specially designed alloy sleeve has been seamlessly molded to protect the stay from chain slap.

Integrated seatpost

Our 2009 Cento Uno boasts an integrated seatpost (or seatmast) to be used in conjunction with specially designed seatclamps (current spec foresees the use of Ritchey clamps). A key feature of this system is the internal diameter of the extended seatpost, making it possible for a qualified mechanic to retro‐fit the seat tube to work with a conventional 31.6mm diameter seatpost by cutting it down to a more traditional height.

We preferred this approach for a number of reasons, including sponsorship arrangements that could require riders to use a specific manufacturer’s seatpost, or for resale of the bike when it comes time to purchase a new Wilier… Below the top tube, the seat tube takes on a progressively larger diameter for maximum stiffness at the bottom bracket.

Unique new open‐spec bottom bracket shell

One of the most significant features of the Cento Uno is its bottom bracket shell. Our new bottom bracket design accommodates and fully integrates the use of Shimano, SRM, Campagnolo, SRAM and other crank systems with the implementation of composite spacers supplied as part of the frameset kit or included in the build of a complete Wilier Triestina Cento Uno. This enables customers to choose and install whichever crank system they prefer, instead of being compelled to use a pre‐determined product – which is often a specific bike company’s proprietary crank system that may or may not suit a rider’s needs.

Head tube and main triangle

Building on the tubing innovations of its most recent carbon designs, the Cento Uno’s top and down tubes draw stability from oversized, thin‐walled tubing that is squared at the head tube and gradually rounded as it  extends toward the seat tube and bottom bracket. The Cento Uno’s head tube is more round at the top than the Cento’s, and then gently squared at the bottom to interface with the proprietary fork crown, which as pointed out in previous discussions, has been bulked up and squared off for increased stiffness. That stiffness enhances steerability, as well as stability when climbing or sprinting out of the saddle.

Even lighter

The average weight of our new Cento Uno, based on all six sizes, and factoring in the integrated seatpost/seatmast, is about 2.2 lbs (1 kilo). Combined with the technical and weight‐shaving improvements to bottom bracket and rear dropouts, and the absence of an aftermarket seatpost, a complete Cento Uno will be even lighter than the Cento – by almost 200 grams (7 ounces)! All that, while preserving the ride quality, strength and durability required to be Wilier Triestina’s top bike.

Feeling and looking good in its new skin

The advanced, finely woven 1K carbon weave provides a sleek, clean look and differs from more conventional carbon fiber weave finishes.
The Cento Uno will be available in six sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL.
Wilier Triestina worldwide in Rossano Veneto, Italy plans to offer the Cento Uno in five colors, three of which will be available in North America through US subsidiary Wilier Triestina USA.