Wilier 2018 Cento 10 NDR Frame Set

The road bike market is evolving. New users are coming to the world of high-performance bikes with a variety of goals other than purely racing. They want more relaxed geometry, the option to fit wider tires and disc brakes, and the ability to cycle long distances without discomfort. Essentially, they want the perfect blend of responsiveness, performance, light-weight, ride quality and comfort. With the Cento10NDR we have brought together all these aspects that until now belonged to completely different visions and experiences of cycling. Developing the ACTIFLEX project since 2014, we have woven our traditional racing DNA into the endurance world.

ACTIFLEX is the heart of the Cento10NDR frame, providing an all-new connection between the seat post and seat stays. Using a carefully designed aluminium link and technopolymer dissipater, we can give the rear wheel a few millimeters of travel. The torsional stiffness of the aluminium link remains comparable to traditional monocoque carbon seatstays, despite the various connections involved. This stiffness gives the frame racing performance but at the same time allows the rear wheel to move up and down over bumps caused by imperfections in the road surface. Connected to the link there is a dissipater that stabilises the kinematic movement of the rear triangle. This special technopolymer has amazing mechanical properties, high atmospheric resistance and can function in temperatures from -40°C to +150°C. The dissipater will be made in three different colours for the different levels of density, meaning that ACTIFLEX can be set up perfectly according to the weight of the rider and/or the type of terrain they typically encounter on their bike.

The sophisticated design of the steerer tube combined with the special form of the headtube allows us to thread up to three cables inside the frame. The three cables enter the steerer tube through the Alabarda or Stemma & Barra, routing the gear and brake cables from the levers at exactly the right angle in the steering tube. So, if you’re using electronic gears and disc braking, the bike will not have any exposed cables, giving the Cento10NDR a beautifully clean look.

Cento10NDR is a race-ready frame derived from the Cento10AIR, our high-end light, aerodynamic bike. As in the Cento10AIR, Wilier’s new creation has been developed according to Naca-Low-Speed rules – aeronautical algorithms that allow us to design the frame tubes with the highest possible aerodynamic efficiency. Alongside the NACA algorithms, Wilier uses another important concept in aerodynamics: the Kamm theory. Indeed, all profiles are designed with a K-tail, reducing weight and increasing stiffness without negatively affecting the aerodynamic efficiency of the tube itself.

Frame geometry is key when it comes to endurance bikes. To offer Cento10NDR riders the maximum level of racing comfort, the proportions between the frame tubes needed to be rethought. The final result is a position that is slightly shorter and taller than in traditional racing geometries, thanks to a shorter reach and a greater stack. This reach and stack combination gives a more comfortable position without using any spacers between the stem and the frame. How often do we see cyclists with pure racing bikes and several centimetres of spacers on the steerer tube? Now with the Cento10NDR the overall look of the bike will be harmonious, proportionate, balanced and at the same time race-ready. The Reach & Stack graphic shows the correct position of the six sizes of Cento10NDR (light blue line) compared to other Wilier Triestina frames developed in recent years.