While I only had a short time to ride it, Campagnolo’s new Super Record 13 groupset was undoubtedly the most exciting bit of kit I tested this year.
After the lacklustre response to its previous Super Record Wireless groupset, the historic Italian brand had work to do to stem the impression it was falling behind its rivals in terms of performance and innovation.
Super Record 13, though, and the recently announced expansions to the platform for 1x, gravel and all-road bikes, have placed the Italian brand firmly back in the conversation (even if recent news of its financial troubles has overshadowed this).
More than a thumb shifter
While much of the pre-launch buzz for Super Record 13 centred around the return of the brand’s iconic ‘thumb shifter’ (after the experiment with buttons in the previous iteration), the takeaway from my ride around the picturesque hills near Vincenza (where the brand’s headquarters and factory are located) was the feeling that Camapagnolo had something truly exciting to shout about again.
Although the extra cassette sprocket and the undercutting of Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and SRAM Red AXS on weight were welcome features that helped shape headlines, neither is transformative in terms of performance.
Instead, the main things I noticed while riding were the fantastic ergonomics of the new Ergopower shifters, the lack of noise, the fast, smooth shifts at both ends and the excellent braking.
Compared to the relatively clunky experience of Super Record Wireless – which had slower, more defined gear changes designed to mimic the tactile feedback of mechanical groupsets – Super Record 13 felt much more like the efficient, modern drivetrain riders have come to expect.
The fact the Italian brand is also willing and able to sell it at a lower price than before – £3,900 / $4,750 / €4,300 (for a 2x road bike groupset without a power meter) – also shows the brand has listened to those who have lamented Campagnolo parts being out of reach for too many riders.
Those are, of course, still huge sums of money for a groupset. Nevertheless, at a time when everything else in cycling has been getting steadily more expensive, it was a strong signal the brand is listening and reacting to rider feedback.
Given this, and other recent noises the brand has made about this groupset being “the first step for the new Campagnolo”, hopes that a more affordable version of Super Record 13 is in development – and might even be released soon – are starting to feel increasingly realistic too.
Of course, as my colleague, Warren Rossiter, noted in a recent op-ed, having a few great high-end products will not be enough to see the brand return to its previous highs.
The road ahead for Campagnolo therefore remains strewn with potholes and I've no doubt there will be further setbacks for the brand along the way.
Super Record 13 is undoubtedly a great starting point, though, and a groupset that puts the brand back on a level playing field for performance with its rivals.
