A year since we first saw them, Campagnolo’s disc brakes have finally landedRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
This custom Campagnolo Sarto frame has the H11 Super Record mechanical DB groupset fittedRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
H11 is the term given to the carbon hydraulic levers that cover every disc groupset above PotenzaRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The small hydraulic master cyclinder created for Campagnolo’s discs only increases the hood height by 8mm. Note the long and short reach adjusterRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
Familiar Campagnolo lever ergonomics, plus a subtle outward curve for easier purchase when on the dropsRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
Campagnolo’s Varicushion hoods remain comfy and grippyRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
A new disc frame-specific crankset will be needed, and this H11 carbon model covers every disc groupset above PotenzaRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
A 160mm rotor and hydraulic caliperRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The rear 160mm rotor and caliperRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
Campagnolo offers separate calipers for 140mm or 160mm rotors to remove the need for adaptorsRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
Campagnolo offers just one rotor style, and all are round with rounded edges that won’t cut skinRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
A 140mm rotor and caliperRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
All of the calipers are designed for flat mounts and the 140mm version is very compactRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The rotors are designed for AFS Centrelock hubsRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The pads return using a magnet rather than a springRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
Potenza DB is currently the cheapest Campagnolo disc groupset, and only alloy oneRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
Potenza is also available in a polished silver finishRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
Potenza’s hydraulic shift lever with EPS-style inner leverRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The Potenza H0 disc-specific crankset is required for the disc groupsetRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The Zonda aluminium disc wheelset was released last yearRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The hydraulic disc calipers are identical across the rangeRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The disc rotors have an aluminium carrier and steel rotor, attached by seven rivetsRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The brake lever reach adjuster is accessed through this hole on the front of the leverRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
Movistar and Lotto-Soudal pros have been testing Campagnolo’s discs during the last year. Here’s a Movistar Ultimate CF SLX with Super Record EPS DBRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The lever’s double curve profile and grippy hoods combine to give great grip and controlRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The H11 EPS DB levers only differ outwardly by their shift levers, with the swept down one inside and a cutout one in frontRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The H11 crankset matches Super Record tooRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
12mm thru axles across the boardRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The upper hood creates a useful extra hand positionRobin Wilmott / Immediate Media
Climbing the mountains of Gran Canaria aboard a Super Record H11 DB equipped bikeCourtesy Campagnolo
Testing the brakes’ performance on the many miles of descentCourtesy Campagnolo
One year on from our first look at the fruits of Campagnolo’s Disc Brake Project, I was finally able to ride the finished product in early May, and my initial impressions are quite positive.
Campagnolo now has hydraulic road disc brakes covering four mechanical-shift and two electric-shift groupsets: Potenza, Chorus, Record and Super Record, plus Record EPS and Super Record EPS.
Campagnolo claims its new road disc brakes stop faster than Shimano and SRAM in the dry and the wet, with less hand force required.
Ergopower H11 carbon levers with two pad-engagement options
Ergopower H11 is the name given to the all-carbon levers that comprise the high-end of the range and are compatible with all of the above. Potenza will come with H0 alloy levers and, for now, Chorus EPS isn’t compatible because it uses different wiring.
Ergopower H11 maintains the current shift lever positions of both mechanical and EPS, and typical Campagnolo style, design and ergonomics. The greatest challenge for the engineers was squeezing in the hydraulic master cylinder, and the resulting levers are 8mm taller than the rim-brake originals.
Magura helped develop the hydraulic cylinder and oil flow system, since Campagnolo had no previous experience in that area. The cylinder was designed to be very small and use mineral oil, with a bleeding port situated vertically on top. (Shimano uses mineral oil; SRAM uses DOT fluid.)
The small hydraulic master cyclinder created for Campagnolo’s discs only increases the hood height by 8mm. Note the long and short reach adjuster.Robin Wilmott / Immediate Media
The extra 8mm hood height offers an additional hand position. The brake levers retain their familiar double curved profile, but now with a subtle outward curve in the lower part of the lever to help purchase when on the drops.
The brake levers have two settings for pad engagement. There is adjustment via a 2.5mm hex key socket on the inboard side of the lever body. A clearly marked two-position cam controls the long or short travel settings, with the long position allowing about half of the lever’s full travel before the pads engage.
The brake lever and long shift lever can also be adjusted for reach in tiny increments with easily accessible 2.5mm hex bolts.
Size-specific calipers, organic resin and claimed class-leading stoppage
Campagnolo believes that altering the spacing of a disc caliper with an adaptor isn’t mechanically secure or stable and adds unnecessary weight, and has therefore designed one forged aluminium caliper for 140mm rotors and another for 160mm rotors. They’re designed to fit every flat mount frameset currently available and mounting screws are available for the rear caliper in 19, 24, 29, 34, 39 and 44mm lengths.
The calipers have lightweight 22mm diameter pistons made from phenolic resin, which was chosen for its thermal insulation qualities to avoid heat transfer from the pads. There’s no mechanical pad spring, but the magnetic spring used delivers uniform performance over time and has a faster return speed, Campy claims.
