WITH THE WILIER RAVE SLR ON THE GRAVEL IN THE DOLOMITES AND ON SARDINIA
This is how the Rave SLR came to be and according to Wilier, anyone who rides it will have a new cycling experience. Such a claim demands confirmation, which is why this summer we took our test Rave SLR to the Dolomites and Sardinia to ride on as many different types of gravel as possible and then pass judgment. First we will review the bike in general before sharing our conclusion of the test with you.
The gravel equipment of the Rave SLR
With the Rave SLR, starting with the 2025 models, you have a choice of three groups:
Sram Red XPLR AXS, Force XPLR AXS or Shimano GRX Di2 with tires up to 42 mm.
The Rave SLR is compatible with the new UDH® transmissions thanks to the new special dropouts. UDH® is the new standard for gravel bikes and offers the rear derailleur more torsion resistance, more precise shifting and more protection against shocks.
Lightweight and extremely reactive
The size M frame weighs less than 1000 g. The lamination combines the same carbon fiber materials used to make the Filante SLR and Verticale SLR. To make a reactive frame, Wilier has used all their experience to mix carbon with special viscoelastic fibers such as Liquid Crystal Polymers. Construction technologies that have already proven their rigidity and responsiveness in the Filante SLR and the Verticale SLR. The fact that Mark Cavendish wiped Eddy Merckx’s record number of stage victories from the tables in the recent Tour de France and he did so on a Wilier Filante may say a lot about the (response) speed of the carbon used.
Geometries
With a slightly higher stack and a slightly shorter reach compared to a pure racing bike, combined with the available carbon monocoque handlebar, the frame has the perfect synthesis between high performance and comfort.
Handlebar and integrated cables
The Rave SLR’s monocoque handlebar is not only light, but also houses the brake and control cables, which are routed through the frame. The handlebar and stem have an essential design, with wavy and rounded lines to guarantee the best possible ergonomic grip.
Easy-to-install spacers
The spacers between the head tube of the frame and the handlebars are made of a highly rigid composite material with a special cavity to guide the cables. They consist of two parts for quick assembly and disassembly, without disturbing the cables that run from the handlebars to the frame.
Our conclusion after intensive testing in Italy:
The Rave SLR is a gravel racer that neatly fulfills every possible requirement! This is a gravel bike that gives you the feeling of a road racing bike. It is super light, has a geometry that comes close to that of a racing bike and it responds to all commands flawlessly and super fast. The comfort of this gravel bike can really be taken literally, as the word says, it remains comfortable on any terrain. There is not a moment when the bike lets you down. Time and time again it responds exactly to what you ask of it and you always have the feeling that you have enough power left to ride on terrain that is more extreme than the normal competitive gravel terrain. If your goal is to ride at high speed both on the road and on unpaved paths, but also to have comfort when the terrain gets a little rougher, then this gravel bike is the right choice.
And we should also add that after reading the Wilier slogan that says that anyone who rides this bike will have a richer cycling experience, we gave each other a doubtful look and raised our eyebrows. Yet another marketing slogan that says nothing more than what almost all the other cycling slogans say. However, we have to admit that we were wrong. Because nothing could be further from the truth, we really have gained much more than a cycling experience, both through the amazing Rave SLR and through the incredibly beautiful nature in the Dolomites and Sardinia.
Recommended retail prices:
SRAM RED XPLR AXS E1 1X13S – 10,200.00 €
SRAM FORCE XPLR AXS D2 1X12S – 8,200.00 €
SHIMANO GRX Di2 RX825 2X12S – 8,200.00 €
Photo and Text: Patrick Van Gansen
