Wilier

Jaroon 105 Gravel Bike

Wilier is no stranger to the pro peloton. It's made quite a name for itself producing lightweight and durable racing bicycles exceeding the needs of the sport's fastest athletes, so naturally, we were excited when we heard it was branching out into the gravel market. The intentions of the Jaroon trade tarmac aggression for gravel adventures, and with Wilier's history and expertise in crafting world-class frames, it's applicable here too. If you're seeking a new ride that’s suited for all-road adventures that, on one end might include racing, or on the opposite end of the spectrum, an overnight bikepacking trip, that's built by a brand rich with history and crafting beautiful, high-performance frames, look no further than the 2018 Wilier Jaroon 105 Complete Bike.  It checks off all of the features any gravel enthusiast would ever want including Shimano's legendary workhorse 105 drivetrain and powerful hydraulic brakes hung on a lovely steel frame. Choose your own adventure and explore those off chutes you've always wanted to on this all-terrain machine.

The first thing you'll notice while examining the semi-transparent copper finish on the Jaroon frame is its tidy welds. Wilier utilizes a special welding technique that places all of the welding material inside the tubing. This yields a super clean external appearance with nothing obstructing your view of the perfectly mitered tube junctions. In addition to the steel construction, a 27.2mm seatpost takes the edge off washboard roads letting you stay seated while continuously laying down the power. When it's time to reap the benefits of all that climbing, the 12-degree flared drop handlebars allow for increased leverage and control while navigating through a minefield of potholes and braking bumps. Applying a stranglehold on the hubs for more responsive handling and safety under braking are the 12mm thru-axles both front and rear. On either end of those dropouts, Wilier utilizes a flat-mount caliper standard to minimize the size and obtrusiveness of the brakes while improving their power.

Wilier does make one concession to carbon with the inclusion of a carbon fiber monocoque fork, which we applaud as a thoroughly modern touch to help manage road vibrations and drop some grams without taking away from that coveted steel ride. As a final touch, the Jaroon will accommodate fenders as well as front and rear racks, allowing it to transition easily from an urban commuter to a fully packed wilderness adventure rig. Tire clearance front and rear is a healthy 42mm for maximum flotation over the loosest terrain.