Seems the Italians are quick to snap up their hometown hero’s new electronic group set with EPS getting stock offerings on Bianchi and Wilier!
Wilier leaked a couple spy shots of their 2012 CentoUno EPS recently (shown behind the break), and just now they’ve quietly put up a video of the possibly more exciting Zero7 EPS.
Both bikes use an electronic-only frame. The Di2 version of the CentoUno debuted in 2009 as a variation on the mechanical model. It’s still not showing up as an option on their U.S. website or U.S. catalog, but you can find this Di2/EPS compatible frameset with a simple search for around $4,500 USD or a sick custom build for about $18,500, but the electronic-only frame doesn’t show up on the U.S. version of Wilier’s website or the catalog. Here’s hoping it makes its way across the pond.
Why is the Zero7 more exciting? Debuting this year, the Zero7 is Wilier’s lightest ever road frame, coming in just under 800g. The weight savings comes in part from using the new BB386EVO standard, which means they’re now offering an electronic only Zero7 frame with Campagnolo EPS and their UltraTorque cranks on a 386EVO frame…
Campagnolo offers a PF86 crankset to accommodate 86mm wide bottom bracket shells (just like Shimano’s BB86), so it’s no stretch to get it on a 386EVO frame like the Zero7. Check our recent post comparing BB386EVO with BB30 to see how this can work.
Wilier’s CentoUno (Cento1) with EPS will make its official debut at the London Bike Show in January.
2012 BIANCHI OLTRE w/ CAMPAGNOLO EPS
One good thing about Campagnolo taking its time to “perfect” its new EPS electronic group is that it seems to have it largely available to OEM manufacturers and is shipping to some retailers already. It also seems that everyone’s mating it to a full black frame to launch it into their line!
Here Bianchi and Wilier are showing two models that’ll be hitting bike shop floors in early 2012. The Bianchi Oltre, above, gets a stealth matte black color scheme and matching Dark Label Fulcrum wheels.
Bianchi has had a Di2-only Oltre bike and frame on offer for a little while, so it wasn’t a stretch to build one up with Campy EPS. You’ll have to go to their Global website to see it, though, it (Di2) doesn’t show up on their U.S. site.
No word on pricing or availability yet, but we’ll update as soon as we can get something.
