Awesome!
As a huge proponent of Campagnolo, particularly their wheels (I ride them almost exclusively - and I've ridden many, many wheels), I'm very excited indeed for the return of the Hyperons.
The Campagnolo Hyperon has an almost mythical status among afficionados. In its last iteration it was a rim brake, tubular-only wheelset exclusively designed for climbing in the high mountains, and they would often adorn the bikes of the pros on the tough climbs of Grand Tour mountain stages.
Having rolled out of the range many years back, the Hyperon fell into memory and times and tech have moved on by leaps and bounds since.
But that is a good thing for their return. The new Hyperon is - unsurprisingly - completely new. Secretly tested in the Pro Peloton in the 2022 season, they have been perfected to deliver range-topping performance., and while it is still pitched as Campagnolo's lightweight offering, it is so much more than a wheel for the grimpeurs and weight weenies.
Using advances in carbon, coupled with Campagnolo's recent 2-way fit rim developments and wider adoption of Tubeless and Disc technology, has allowed to Campag to re-introduce the Hyperon in a far deeper and disc brake only guise, with both Tubeless and Tubular options at similar weights to their rim brake, tubular only predecessor. Impressive.
Aside from the obvious advancements in carbon tech, Campagnolo have managed to keep weights low (1240g and 1160g for Tubeless and Tubular respectively) by doing away with the G3 lacing pattern in the rear wheel while stiffness is maintained by having a deeper 37mm rim, keeping the wheel reactive. Further to this, the use of a coated N3W freehub body allows a significant saving in this typically weighty area. Ceramic CULT bearings not only deliver performance and longevity, but also save weight too.
The signature balance that I have come to love in Campag wheels, one that delivers aero, stiffness, agility and low weight with aplomb, across the range - is evident and the looks (while subjective) are stunning in their elegant simplicity.
Unlike their predecessors, the new Hyperons are able to handle much higher system weights and are designed for everyone. So, if you aren't a diminuitive sparrow of a rider, you can still enjoy the weight savings and balanced aero agility that the new Hyperons offer - they will handle a system weight (rider + bike) of up to 115kg.
Pricing is comparable to other top tier wheelsets and put simply, the Hyperon are the best lightweight wheelset money can buy - a true all rounder, suitable for all types of riding.
Details:
Handmade Ultra-Light Carbon
The rims are crafted using Campagnolo's Handmade Ultra-Light Carbon, or H.U.L.C process. This is the latest evolution of the unique rim moulding process that has been developed by Campagnolo during its twenty-five years of carbon manufacturing experience. The H.U.L.C technology ensures optimisation of the profiles, the quantity of carbon fibre and the proprietary resin used – all contributing to increased stiffness and resistance.
C-Lux Finish
C-LUX is an evolution of the already premium finish of Campagnolo carbon rims. Their high gloss, mirror-like surface is not only high-quality but is so flawlessly smooth that it doesn’t require lacquer, saving weight. The scientific precision of C-LUX also helps to ensure the safest possible seating of tubeless tyres, increasing the pressure seal, ease of installing and reduce the risk of abrasions to the bead.
Carbon Fibre Lacing
The carbon is uniquely laced with a single point of conjunction, compared to the industry standard four points – eliminating points of weakness. This lacing boosts rigidity and performance output.
The fibres of the carbon are oriented to flow around the spoke hole, rather than being punched through. Seamless homologation of the materials protects the spokes from scratches and fatigue.
Head To Bay System
For increased durability and safety, the high precision Head-To-Bay coupling has been optimised to prevent spoke inelastic shearing. This innovative technology introduces a high-load management system to reduce the risk of damage and works alongside a perfectly balanced spoke tension management system to ensure your power is transferred to the road efficiently.
N3W Freehub Body
The N3W freewheel body is Campagnolo's future. It is a patented standard for a freewheel body engineered to house 11, 12 and 13 speed cassettes with 9, 10 and 11 tooth starting sprockets. With unmatched smoothness and delivering maximum torsional stiffness, the design is even lighter for ultimate control.
CULT Bearings
Standing for Ceramic Ultimate Level Technology, CULT bearings offer a significant upgrade from all other bearings. The key to CULT's extraordinary performance is using the highest quality materials in its hybrid construction. Incredibly hard and perfectly round ceramic bearings maintain consistent performance over time and run on synthetic oil on stainless-steel races which have been specially-treated to make them resistant to wear.
Front Wheel Spoke Pattern
The left-hand spoke pattern was chosen to provide maximum braking stability, to harmonise with the right-hand spoke pattern designed for excellent thrust efficiency. Every spoke is made from ultra-lightweight steel for reactive handling.
Advanced Aerodynamic Properties
The Aero Mo-Mag system takes aerodynamics to the next level. The internal fibreglass-reinforced polymer seats for the spoke nipples ensure perfect alignment with the spokes, reducing real-world stressors on the components. Our innovative construction allows the wheels to be built lighter and, with a completely internal system, optimised for cutting through the wind.
Asymmetric Rim Profile
The rear rim profile is asymmetric for super stiffness control and total tension management – allowing you ultimate control and handling ability for every twist and turn.
Rim Profile Depth and Width
The optimal rim profile has been identified as 37mm by Campagnolo engineers, to provide agility-enhancing wheels. They can withstand rapid and reactive changes for fast ascents and quick manoeuvres. The inner rim width of 21mm offers extreme stiffness and extra weight savings.
Single Joint Construction
The Campagnolo single-joint rim construction reduces the potential points of weakness by having a solo fuse-point, down from the industry standard 4 joints. This enables the rim to be extremely stiff and, when combined with the aerospace-grade carbon material, incredibly hard-wearing and resistant to damage.