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Campagnolo 2009: 11-speed & lots more

Valentino Campagnolo presents Eddy Merckx with a commemorative souvenir.

  • Count 'em! Campagnolo's top three groupsets now go up to eleven.
  • The new redesigned Ergopower lever has a much larger and more comfortable hood as well as a longer brake lever.
  • The ribbed hood of the new Ergopower lever has a much larger top section for extra grip when in a low tuck position.
  • The inside of the Ergopower lever retains the thumb lever for multiple shifts.
  • The new lever hood has a Vari-Cushion cover for comfort on the top but firmness where you grip.
  • The gear lever now moves in a more nutural arc, refelcting the movement of your fingers.
  • In homage to the original Super Record groupset, the new rear derailleur is black anodised with silver graphics.
  • Record and Super Record now roll on ceramic bearings.
  • The front derailleur cage has been redesigned to allow more chain crossing - something that the pros do more than they perhaps should.
  • The 11-Speed Campagnolo carbon chainset looks very similar to the existing 10-speed, but the crank arms are hollow and bearings are ceramic on Record and Super Record.
  • Campagnolo's new ESP actuation system creates two upshift and two downshift areas on the chainring for smoother changes.
  • The new 11-speed chainrings have a new treatment to make them last longer.
  • Record and Super Record brakes retain the D-Skeleton design.
  • The new 11-speed chain is narrower than 10-speed, but supposedly stronger thanks to newer steel alloys.
  • The Record 11-Speed rear derailleur is - like the existing 10-speed version - a mix of carbon fibre and polished aluminium.
  • The new Super Record rear derailleur pays tribute to the original groupset with black anodising and silver graphics.
  • A Specialized Tarmac SL2 sits resplendent with its Super Record groupset.
  • Outwardly the drivetrain doesn’t look much different but has hollow crank arms and ceramic bearings all round.
  • Campagnolo's top level wheels have also received some treatment for 2009.
  • Bora Ultra 2 wheels have new 3D graphics, but more importantly…
  • … now have ceramic bearings for even smoother rolling and slightly lighter weight.
  • Campagnolo's top aluminium rims (Eurus and Shamal Ultra) will be compatible with Hutchinson tubeless for 2009 and also still work with regular clincher tyres.
  • The new 2-Way Fit system is what Campagnolo calls this new compatibility.
  • Hostesses for the evening are Laura Bignotto and Laura Betto current and former pros with the Top Girls Fassa Bortolo Raxy Line team, and are also modelling some of Campagnolo's new summer clothing line.
  • Valentino Campagnolo (left) sits beside two of the great Campagnolo-using champions: Eddy Merckx and Miguel Induarain, with ten Tours and eight Giros between them.
  • Valentino Campagnolo presents Eddy Merckx with a commemorative souvenir.
  • Miguel Indurain also receives a souvenir from Campagnolo.
  • The event also turned into a birthday party for Eddy Merckx whose birthday it was to be the next day.
  • Our Cannondale test bike complete with a Super Record groupset - and the correct flag this time!
  • Thankfully the Super Record chainset is available as a compact.
  • The new brake lever shape promises to be as tactile as the previous version, or even more so.
  • Improved brake cable routing prevents uncomfortble bulges in top of the hoods.
  • Both cables emerge in front of the bars but there is also an option to route one around the back.
  • This is the kind of machine that Tullio Campagnolo was racing on that fateful November day…
  • … and this is what his freezing fingers were up against!
  • Miguel Indurain and Valentino Campagnolo discuss the new products at th etop of the Passo Croce d'Aune.
  • The monument to Tullio Campagnolo has pride of place at the Passo Croce d'Aune.

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Valentino Campagnolo presents Eddy Merckx with a commemorative souvenir.

© Ben Atkins