Bike check du Tour de France 2024 : Le Wilier Verticale SLR de David Gaudu (Groupama FDJ)

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Here is David Gaudu’s new bike, the SLR Vertical Wilier. As its name suggests, the latest from the Italian equipment manufacturer is intended for the mountain. A field where the head of Groupama FDJ excels.

At the end of May, Lenny Martinez, the pocket climber of Groupama FDJ, won the Mercan’tour Classic on Wednesday aboard a new Wilier. So there is no more Filante, the aero bike, which the French team has been using since the beginning of the season after its contract change. In fact, Marc Madiot’s training had been equipped for 22 years by Lapierre.

According to the brand, the weight has been reduced by about 10% compared to its previous mountain bike. 1623g for Vertical SLR, 1798g for SLR 0 (for full canvas kits). Three types of Toray fibers were used, T800, T1100 and M46 JB. As for the differences with the SLR 0, we also note that the closing device no longer closes from the top, but diagonally from the bottom, which allowed to reduce the weight. Also, the front derailleur mount is no longer riveted to the frame and can be repositioned.

All focus on weight

In terms of geometry, the reach has been slightly shortened for sizes XS and S and lengthened for sizes XL and XXL, compared to the previous ones.
classic geometry of the brand. The latter also developed a new VBar handlebar (310 g). But one of the other great strengths of this Vertical is the asymmetrical fork. On the sleeve where the brake caliper is housed, the sections are larger; on the other hand, those of the straight sheath are thinner and lighter. We do not have the final weight here, but it is possible to go under 7 kg.

We had access to one of David Gaudu’s replacement bikes (see incentive number 2). Like his teammates, the Groupama climber rides with a Shimano Dura Ace Di2 group and, on this bike to save weight and manoeuvrability, Shimano C36 wheels. They are shod with 25mm tubeless tires, not 28 like most riders in the peloton today.

Soon you will find the test of the Wilier Verticale SLR in the magazine Le Cycle.

Technical sheet

Frame and fork: Carbon SLR vertical
Handlebar: Wilier Carbon VBar
Leverage: Shimano Dura Ace Di2
By the way: Shimano Dura Ace Di2
crank: Shimano Dura Ace 54/40 with Shimano power meter
Cassettes: Shimano Dura Ace 11-34
Pedals: Shimano Dura Ace
Wheels: Shimano Dura Ace C36
Tires: Continental GP 5000 S TR 25mm tubeless
Saddle: Prologue
Handlebar tape: n.c
Counter: Garmin
Weight: n.c

The Groupama team uses 140mm discs front and rear.
Note the asymmetry of the fork.
On tubeless tires, mechanics indicate the date of assembly to estimate the life of the fluid in particular.
The passing axes come from the Miche catalog, by Wilier.
Photos all rights reserved Sylvain Pigeau | The cycle

4 thoughts on “Bike check du Tour de France 2024 : Le Wilier Verticale SLR de David Gaudu (Groupama FDJ)”

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