After the recent launch of the Campagnolo Hyperon wheels, the latest and much anticipated release from the venerable Italian marque is the Super Record Wireless groupset. Made entirely at the brand's Vicenza headquarters, from the highest specification carbon fibre, titanium and aluminium for maximum functionality at a minimum weight, it is the first wireless groupset from the company and will surely become the vine from which more wireless fruit will bud.
Disc brake only and with some other interesting changes that will no doubt bring a tear to the eye of die-hard Campy fans, the new Wireless Super Record is something of a progressive beast from a company largely viewed as ‘traditionalist’.
Despite a mechanical 13s groupset in the form of Ekar, the new Super Record remains 12 speed and like SRAM’s AXS group sets, features full wireless technology with removable batteries on the derailleurs and coin-cell batteries for the shifters. Derailleurs are manufactured from a techno-polymer and carbon with traditional aluminium inner-plate for shifting at the front. In addition it also shares analogous ‘small chainrings’ but with at least one interesting ratio. Batteries can be charged both on and off the bike and is achieved through a magnetically attached cable. Full charge is swift can be achieved in 1 hour, with 90% reached at the 45 minute mark and a full charge should see between 750 - 1000km of use depending on use and environment. Unlike Sram however, the batteries are not interchangeable (thanks to SRAM’s existing patent)
Battery status can be viewed using the four LEDs on the face of each derailleur, triggered by a small sliding button, or via the MyCampy App.
As mentioned above, Campagnolo have taken some progressive steps with their new groupset, soul crushing though this may be for some, it is largely in-line with the march of market demand - and likely a sound business decision as a result. Disc only, the new Wireless groupsets will run alongside their wired EPS cousins while there is demand for rim brake versions, but the end is almost nigh for those of us still confident enough to stop, in the wet, on 25mm tyres using good old fashioned calipers! The calipers have been minimally refined and have subtle aesthetic changes, with lighter materials used in the pad backing. The semi-floating rotor design remains unchanged and delivers impeccable cooling for consistent braking on even the longest decent.
Another obvious change is the demise of the thumb shifter. I never had an issue but the march of time and market forces dictate that this now be retired. That said, discretely housed in its vestiges are two hidden buttons. The first is a power button, that allows you to switch the lever off completely for flights or long periods to preserve battery life. The other 'Mode' button is configured to connect with the via Bluetooth or ANT+ to control the display on the market’s most popular cycling computers - though there are also rumours that this button may be configurable as a shifter in future….
A single LED gives connection and battery info for the shifters, and life expectancy is around 18-24 months.
So - shifting is now handled by 2 independent switches housed within the brake lever - not dissimilar to Shimano and a lot like the FSA WE. As with traditional shifting, the left shifter controls the front mech and the right shifter the rear. Again, and like all modern electronic system - set-up can be configured within the dedicated App.
The Ergo hoods have also changed form, now shorter and more ergonomic than ever, with the reach adjustment still present, they accommodate more hand sizes more comfortably than before.
Like SRAM, Campagnolo have also chosen to move to smaller chainrings up front and marry these to smaller - and therefore lighter - cassettes with a tight spread. The Chainring configurations are 50/34, 48/32 and an interesting 45/29. All 3 cassette options are N3W compatible only and feature a 10t sprocket and tight ratios to make for smooth 1-tooth gear shifts which in turn allow for better gearing transitions and less fatigue.
With its combination of 10-25, 10-27 and 10-29 cassette ratios and smaller chainrings, Campagnolo believes it has maintained the drivetrain efficiency of it’s 11-tooth sprocket set-ups (something mourned by SRAM AXS users) while reducing gear overlap and weight.
Though smaller, the new Super Record Wireless groupset retains the same carbon construction for the chainsets delivering exceptional stiffness and power transfer, and they are available in 165, 170, 172.5 and 175mm lengths. With no Power Meter at launch there are hints at a strain-gauge integration on the backs of the arms and noises surrounding a novel approach to the tech.
Further to the obvious, large scale changes, the new Super Record groupset uses the Ekar PROTECH Bottom bracket standard for superior sealing and houses Campag’s Ultra-Torque Titanium crank shaft for impeccable stiffness and power transfer in the lightest possible axle. In addition, the chain (a real strength of Campagnolo’s) now features a split link for ease of removal.
Much of the set-up of the groupset, along with fettling and configuration is achieved through the new MyCampy App. Indeed, there is only a High limit screw on the rear mech, with low stop being electronically decided through simple cassette ratio selection. The MyCampy app will handle pretty much all of your dealings with the groupset in fact: from adjustment, diagnostics, firmware and reporting. You can also monitor battery status for each component.
Weight is 2520g for a 50/34, 10-25 groupset