Campagnolo are bringing out new 10-speed Centaur and Veloce groupsets for 2011 which are set to offer technical features borrowed from the company's higher-end 11-speed setups at a more affordable price.
The new groups will apparently be lighter and more reliable, as well as offering smoother gear changes courtesy of the new Power Shift System – which allows three downshifts at a time – and improved chainring and sprocket tooth design.
Both Centaur and Veloce also get new Power Torque System cranks and bottom brackets. This design is said to offer performance comparable to the top-end Ultra Torque system, plus easy installation and maintenance, at a considerably lower price, albeit with a bit of a weight penalty.
Unlike Ultra Torque, which has 'semi axles' attached to each of the crank arms, Power Torque uses a standard one-piece axle which is attached to the driveside crank arm. It shares the Ultra Torque system's Q-Factor (width at widest point) of 145.5mm and U-Factor (width at the axle) of 128mm. The bottom bracket has had material machined from some areas to save weight and added to others for improved strength.
Centaur
Campag's aim with the new Centaur – the company's top 10-speed group – is to offer class-leading shifting performance.
Ergopower controls: Combined brake and gear levers; ergonomic design; Power Shift system; black aluminium lever as standard, with carbon fibre upgrade option
Crankset: Power Torque System design; improved shifting due to Micro Precision Shifting (MPS) machining of teeth; high quality bearings; choice of 53/39, 52/39 or 50/34T chainrings; alloy or carbon.
Rear derailleur: Stiffer and lighter; new aluminium outer plate (as with latest 11-speed models); silicone rollers to reduce vibration and noise.
Front derailleur: Suitable for both compact and standard cranksets; improved rigidity courtesy of M-Brace body and Z-Shape inner arm.
Cassette: New tooth shape; two largest sprockets mounted on aluminium carrier for stiffness.
Brakes: New black anodised finish; forged arms; orbital brake-pad adjustment; claimed weight 315g.
Veloce
The new Veloce group has been designed to offer similar performance to Centaur but at an even lower pricepoint. It comes in a choice of two finishes – black or silver.
Ergopower controls: Combined brake and gear levers; ergonomic design; Power Shift system; aluminium brake lever, composite shifters.
Crankset: Power Torque System design; improved shifting due to Micro Precision Shifting (MPS) machining of teeth; choice of 53/39, 52/39 or 50/34T chainrings.
Rear derailleur: Stiffer and lighter; new oversized outer plate (as with latest 11-speed models); anti-corrosion treatment.
Front derailleur: Suitable for both compact and standard cranksets; sub-100g claimed weight.
Cassette: New tooth shape.
Brakes: forged arms; orbital brake-pad adjustment.
We'll bring you more details of the new groupsets, including pricing, weights and availablility, as soon as we have them.
