The Evasion Mirage is close to the bottom of the Wilier range and, at 999, marketing it as a race bike is arguably a bit ambitious, but on test its performance was excellent and would have put many more expensive bikes to shame. Certainly the ride feel was not as reluctant as you might expect from a bike weighing a fairly porky 21lb. Instead it proved to be both agile and responsive.
First impressions are important and the Evasion looks expensive. Oversized and formed tubes, most obviously the three-leaf clover shape of the top tube, aren’t just there for aesthetics and no doubt contribute to the responsive and stiff ride feel. The shaped carbon seatstays and carbon forks seemed to take the larger bumps in their stride, but there was still a noticeable transfer of high-frequency vibrations. As with many brands the carbon stays are more an aesthetic additive to suit market perception than they are a huge benefit to the ride quality.
Finishing kit
Handlebar and seatpost choice will strongly influence the ride feel and here the finishing kit is uninspiring with a cheap ITM bar and stem combo and an entry-level Ritchey alloy seatpost. Mixing brands suggests a cost-cutting exercise. However, it is fair to say that if you must scrimp anywhere Wilier has done so in intelligent places, as these are the components that are highly likely to be changed either at purchase or further down the line and should not influence your purchasing decision. Similarly ‘own-brand’ tyres would be best off replaced, particularly if your intentions are to race.
Mirage is a budget groupset in the Campagnolo range and you might be looking for higher spec on a bike at 1,000. Value on paper is one thing but value in function is another, and Mirage performs at a level far superior than expected with crisp, accurate gear changes throughout the 20 speeds, and a very quiet drivetrain. An improved metal brake lever design, instead of the old flexible plastic ones, delivers a powerful brake feel. This is assisted by genuine Mirage brake calipers where some manufacturers use cheap generic versions.
Compact chainsets are commonplace this year and will suit the requirements of the target market for this level of bke. There was no reason to complain about the FSA chainset fitted, other than the fact that it was coupled with a square-taper bottom bracket, which is now old hat in a market full of more up-to-date technology. Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels are distinctive in the red anodised finish and are a solid and well-built choice with sealed cartridge bearings to ensure reliability and ease of servicing.
The Wilier has good investment potential with the frame, forks and wheels providing a solid base to work up from as the inevitable upgrades take place, but nothing needs to be changed right away.
Overall rating 9/10