On modern road framesets, performance and comfort are starting to go more hand-in-hand. It used to be if you wanted to go fast, comfort took a back seat but look at how wider tires, and the wheels that go with them, have revolutionized the ability to go faster with less rolling resistance, no aero penalty, and offering a way smoother ride. TT bikes are no longer torture devices. Sure the positions are still aggressive, but materials, tube shapes, and integrated suspension systems have all made these bikes easier to ride faster and for longer. The engineers at Wilier take a crack at this more comfort = more speed approach with the 2018 Cento10NDR Disc Road Frameset. Its most notable feature is the new Actiflex system designed to take the edge off bumps and smooth out vibrations providing much-needed comfort on longer rides over rougher terrain. The performance-oriented cyclist is always looking for a stiffer (laterally at least) and lighter frameset. To a certain extent, most newer frames achieve this stiffness to weight ratio quite well and now we are seeing comfort-oriented elements added to framesets to keep riders riding fresher for longer. Willier is urging riders to "ride faster and ride further" with the Cento10NDR and with the Actiflex rear suspension we think this frameset achieves the perfect balance of race performance and comfort.The heart of the Actiflex system lives in the connection between the seattube and seatstays. Wilier engineered a strut that consists of an aluminum pivot and technopolymer damper. Aluminum is used to house the bushings that allow the movement and provide enough torsional stiffness so the rear end doesn't flex under power. The technopolymer insert allows the strut to compress a few millimeters to soak up road imperfections. The frame is customizable with two other separately sold technopolymers. The frame ships with the medium insert, but the option of a softer or firmer version make it easy to adapt the suspension to your we...
