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Bicycles and Equipment

Campagnolo launches new Super Record, Record, Chorus mechanic, and Chorus electronic groupsets

Campagnolo has launched entirely new Super Record, Record, and Chorus mechanical groupsets, and the Italian company’s third level groupset, Chorus now has an electronic version – Chorus EPS (“EPS” is the acronym for “Electronic Power Shift”).

Previously, the prototype of the new Campagnolo Super Record groupset spotted at Giro d’Italia, on the Colnago C60 of Europcar rider Maxime Mederel.

Shortly after that, Campagnolo announced entirely new groupsets. The three (four) new groupsets get the same redesigned four-arm crankset, Ergopower levers, and front and rear derailleurs.

Campagnolo Record 2015 crankset
Campagnolo Record 2015 four-arm crankset

SC-14 Program

Campagnolo tested the prototypes of the new groupsets both in the laboratory and also at WorldTour races. Those development samples were badged up as regular Super Record but with “SC-14” (“squadre corsa 2014”, meaning “racing teams 2014”) stamped discreetly on the back of the front derailleurs and chainrings to help the team mechanics with identification.

Campagnolo says “The SC-14, or Squadre Corsa 2014, project brought forth several improvements that were developed especially for Campagnolo sponsored professional athletes who preferred to compete with mechanical drivetrains.

“The limited run of the Super Record RS groupset made the SC-14 project’s improvements available to both professional and amateur athletes alike.

“This SC-14 technology was to serve as the first step in improving the Super Record, Record and Chorus transmissions as the project’s design found itself applied to all three groupsets.”

Campagnolo Record 2015 - front derailleur
Campagnolo Record 2015 – front derailleur

The new front derailleur design uses a longer arm, and the Super Record version uses a one-piece carbon outer cage to reduce weight. The rear derailleurs were also redesigned. According to Campagnolo:

The rear derailleur has also changed dramatically and offers significant performance enhancements thanks to its revolutionary new design.

Campagnolo engineers sought to create a more efficient and better performing rear derailleur and in doing so completely redesigned this component both inside and out.

The new design is stiffer, smoother and functions even better than its predecessor, a significant achievement to say the least.

The new form of the external pieces allow the rear derailleur to move at a different angle and the new internal design will pull the chain closer to the cassette.

This translates into better power transfer, more secure grip, better chain/cassette interface, and a longer life for consumable components.

Campagnolo Super Record 2015 mechanic-rear derailleur
Campagnolo Super Record 2015 mechanic-rear derailleur

The Ergopower levers may look the same. But Campagnolo tweaked the index pattern: the front shift lever now operates with two clicks to downshift from the large to the small chainring, while a third click adjusts the trim when in more “extreme gears”, while three clicks are needed for upshifting, removing the necessity of an additional click for trim.

“While difficult to improve upon the fantastic feel of the Ergopower command, the internal side of the unit has been modified in such a way that it adapts itself even more closely to the wide array of handlebars available thus conferring greater comfort and control.

“Newly designed hoods in hypoallergenic silicone with differentiated density design along with internal grooves and structure to provide additional comfort where needed and more solid grip elsewhere.”

Campagnolo Super Record 2015 ergopower shifters
Campagnolo Super Record 2015 Ergopower shifters

The biggest changes have been made on the crankset: in fact, it has been completely redesigned. The new version now has 4 arms (the previous versions have had 5 arms). And its rigidity has been increased.

The main benefit for the mechanics: changing between compact and standard is now as easy as changing 8 bolts and two chainrings. So before the stages like stage 20 of the Giro d’Italia which has finished atop Monte Zoncolan, the mechanics easily install compact chainrings on the bikes. The new bolt pattern allows for all 3 chainring standards 53/39, 52/36, and 50/34 to be built upon the same crankset.

In addition to completely new 4 arm spider design, Campagnolo engineers dedicated a great deal of energy towards a completely new crankarm that is a great deal stiffer than previous versions.

Add this new highly rigid crankarm to the new four-arm spider design and you have a complete crankset that not only excels at transferring power more than any previous version but one that is also more versatile with respect to gearing.

This new version of Campagnolo cranksets will be available in 170, 172,5, and 175 crankarm lengths as well as in all three chainring configurations 50/34, 52/36, and 53/39.

Campagnolo Chorus EPS

In 2011, Campagnolo announced Electronic Power Shifting (EPS) in Super Record and Record versions in 2011, added Athena EPS in 2012, but skipped Chorus. Now they’ve filled the gap.

Campagnolo Chorus EPS 2015 rear derailleur
Campagnolo Chorus EPS 2015 rear derailleur

Like Super Record EPS and Record EPS, the new Chorus EPS comes with carbon brake levers. Like all the existing Campagnolo groupsets it has a thumb shifting lever positioned on the inside edge of the shifter body. Unlike the lever on Campagnolo’s mechanical shifters, EPS thumb shifters are angled down towards the ground so it’s easier to operate whether you’re on the hoods or the drops.

The EPS V2 battery sits internally within the bike frame. This place keeps the battery safe from impact and mud and improves the looks and aerodynamics of your bike.

Campagnolo Chorus EPS 2015 battery
Campagnolo Chorus EPS 2015 battery sits internally within the bike frame.

Campagnolo claims that the shifting performance of the new Chorus EPS is exactly the same as that of Super Record and Record EPS.

Read more on campagnolo.com

M. Özgür Nevres

By M. Özgür Nevres

I am a software developer, a former road racing cyclist (at the amateur level), and a science enthusiast. Also an animal lover! I write about cycling on this website, cycling-passion.com. I also take care of stray cats & dogs. Please consider supporting me on Patreon.

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