Campagnolo’s new Super Record 13 wireless groupset is lighter, faster, way less expensive, and hopefully just plain better

Vicenza rolls the dice on lucky number 13.

“Campagnolo is back!”

It’s a story we’ve all heard multiple times before in recent years, but with the official introduction of its new Super Record 13 wireless electronic road groupset, maybe – maybe – that might actually be the case this time around. But as good as the new stuff sounds (and looks), what’s far more promising isn’t this particular flagship groupset, but what Campagnolo has revealed (and suggested) about its longer-term roadmap.

Baker’s dozen

Obviously, the big news here from a product standpoint is Campagnolo’s move to a 13-speed cassette – a continuation of the company’s long-running track record of cramming in yet another sprocket when just about everyone else thought the status quo was just fine. To be clear, Campagnolo isn’t the first to use a 13-speed cassette, even in 1x form; that honor would go to the novel Rotor Uno hydraulic groupset that debuted in 2019. However, it’s the first time we’re seeing it incorporated into a 2x setup.

Campagnolo is claiming the usual benefits here over a 12-speed format – namely, either a wider range with similar jumps in between gears, or the same total range with tighter gaps in the middle. For example, whereas the current Campagnolo Super Record 12-speed 10-29T cassette features a 10-11-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-23-26-29T progression, the 13-speed one shoehorns a 17T in between the 16T and 18T.

Speaking of range, there’s plenty of it to be had. There are once again four different cassette options, but whereas Super Record 12 offered 10-25T (250%), 10-27T (270%), 10-29T (290%), and 11-32T (291%) clusters, Super Record 13 shifts to a wider spread across the board. The 10-29T is now the narrowest option, and there’s a new 10-33T that offers an impressively broad 330% total difference. Campagnolo isn’t forcing riders into the 10T sprocket, either, as there are also 11-32T (291%) and 11-36T (327%) for buyers that prefer to focus on minimizing drivetrain friction over saving a few grams.

Campagnolo is thankfully sticking to its existing N3W freehub spline pattern, but as you’d expect, the spacing has gotten tighter. Campagnolo didn’t provide exact dimensions, but the gist is there are now 13 sprockets where there once were 12.

“The sprocket spacing and thickness are slightly reduced compared to the 12-speed version, but we’re talking about extremely small differences – less than half a millimeter,” Campagnolo product manager Matteo D’Amanzo told me. “Thanks to this space-saving design, combined with the new chain, we’re able to add an additional gear without increasing the overall width of the cassette.”

Campagnolo is going all-in on chainring options this time around with seven different 2x pairings: 45/29T, 48/32T, 50/34T, 52/36T, 53/39T, 54/39T, and 55/39T. Even better, Campagnolo says any of the chainring pairings can be used with any of the cassettes so riders can feel free to mix and match as they see fit.

Are you a fit road racer and want to rock a 55-10T top gear? Or maybe you’re more of an all-day cruiser who lives in the mountains and wants to creep up the steepest pitches with a rock-crawling 29-36T ratio? Have at it.

Construction-wise, there’s not a ton to report on the new cassettes and cranksets.

Like before, the largest cassette sprockets are CNC-machined from a single block of steel to minimize weight without resorting to faster-wearing titanium, and there are once again little extensions on the back of the largest sprocket to prevent the chain from shredding the driveside spokes in the event of a bent hanger or other misalignment. Smaller sprockets are made from stamped steel as usual.

Campagnolo says the tooth profiling has been tweaked throughout for smoother shifting, which would be particularly welcome on the machined portion. There’s also a new black chrome surface treatment that supposedly enhances durability.

As for the crankset, there are no big surprises here. In fact, the molded carbon fiber arms are carried over entirely from the previous generation, save for slightly narrower chainring spacing and a more modern-looking finish and logo. Q-factor remains unchanged at 148.5 mm, as are the available 165, 170, 172.5, and 175 mm arm lengths.

Unlike with Super Record Wireless, Campagnolo will have the Super Record 13 power meter ready at launch. It’ll use the same spider-based design with dual-sided measurement, and the rechargeable battery will presumably offer the same +/-1% claimed accuracy as before.

Naturally, Campagnolo is continuing on with its Ultra-Torque spindle design for both crankset versions with its half-shaft format and splined Hirth joint, complete with titanium construction and titanium hardware. Shop mechanics will be happy to hear, though, that the bottom brackets have been updated with the bearing retaining pin finally moving to the non-driveside where it’s much more accessible (which also requires the bearings to be swapped left-to-right compared to previous Ultra-Torque cranksets).

And interestingly enough – and undoing years of tradition – the titanium fixing bolt is now right-hand-threaded instead of the reverse-threaded ones of previous Super Record cranks.

The new chain is pretty much what you’d expect: basically the 12-speed chain, but slightly narrower, and with the same black chrome surface treatment as the cassette.

More ergo Ergopower levers

Big changes have come to the latest generation of Ergopower levers.

As I previously reported, the overall control layout now closely resembles the last generation of Campagnolo’s wired EPS electronic levers, with the vaunted thumb buttons returning after a two-year absence and the often-panned stacked layout of Super Record 12 going the way of the dodo.

Indeed, those thumb buttons should now be easier to access from the drops given the lowered and more rearward position than before, but Campagnolo has incorporated plenty of other options, too. I would expect the single buttons behind the main carbon fiber brake lever blades will get the most use, and Campagnolo has added bonus buttons up high on the inboard side of the lever peaks. If this sounds familiar, that’s because the new Super Record 13 control layout is basically the same as SRAM AXS but with the addition of those Campagnolo-trademark thumb buttons, and I suspect the market will react as you’d expect to the change (read: favorably). All of the buttons are programmable via the My Campy app, too, so you’ll be able to configure them as you wish – including as controls for compatible head units.

The overall shape of the new Ergopower levers has been updated with a form that Campagnolo says is more, well, ergo.

Though Campagnolo hasn’t stated this explicitly, it appears the brake master cylinders have been repositioned to allow for a less pronounced peak up top, and the lever bodies have a noticeably more rounded (and smaller) cross-section than before that certainly looks more elegant. The lever pivot point has also been repositioned for more powerful braking (particularly from the hoods), and reach is adjustable just like it used to be to accommodate riders with smaller hands or if you just prefer the blades to sit closer to the bar (like I do).

Campagnolo unfortunately hasn’t provided any information on remote shifters – wired or wireless – though given how often folks noted their absence, my hope is these will (finally!) be coming sooner than later. Fingers crossed.

Big (and little) derailleur updates

The new Super Record front derailleur sees some small, but significant, changes. In particular, the shape of the cage itself has been adjusted to accommodate the newly broadened selection of chainring options, and there are two mounting points so mechanics can more easily get the alignment where it needs to be.

The outer cage is once again made of carbon fiber, and while the body is still quite big, it nevertheless looks smaller thanks to some clever sculpting, which also ekes out more rear tire clearance. Exactly how much more clearance, Campagnolo couldn’t say, aside from that “some configurations” it tested were fine with 700x42 mm gravel tires.

There are much bigger changes out back.

The new Super Record 13 rear derailleur is still primarily made of molded carbon fiber-reinforced composites, but it sports a more skeletal-looking form that’s far more aggressive and distinctive-looking than its predecessor, while also boasting a “25% reduction in lateral bulk” for better protection in a crash.

The geometry has been tweaked to better track the newly enlarged cassette sizes, and pulleys have been upsized to 14 teeth top and bottom with conspicuously exaggerated narrow-wide tooth profiles (not to mention particularly tall teeth up top, which presumably help with shift speed).

Speaking of shift speed, Campagnolo is claiming faster chain movement out back overall with Super Record 13, to the tune of 2.1 and 1.9 seconds for a complete individual upshift and downshift, respectively, vs. 3.3 and 3.6 seconds for its predecessor. D’Amanzo says there are several contributing factors for this, including a new motor in the rear derailleur, a new location for that motor, and updated tooth profiles for the new cassette sprockets.

"Another crucial factor is the optimized positioning of the rear derailleur,” he told me. “The upper pulley sits close to the cassette and remains perfectly aligned, improving both speed and precision. The derailleur's movement path has also been refined with an optimized and streamlined rear derailleur. Finally, by maintaining a consistent spacing standard, we're able to achieve a shorter movement range while still covering the same wide gear range, making shifting faster and more efficient overall.”

Claimed battery life carries over from Super Record Wireless with 750 km of range “in normal conditions of use.” Recharge times are relatively quick, too, with 45 minutes supposedly bringing a dead battery up to 90%, and 100% coming another 15 minutes later. Recharging can be done with the batteries either on or off the bike, but like before (and likely due to SRAM patents), the front and rear batteries can’t be swapped in case one runs down while you’re out on the road.

Hold your horses

Updates are pretty minor on the hydraulic disc brakes, which is perhaps just as well since they were already arguably the best of the big three in terms of overall power, controllability, and lever feel.

The calipers use the same aluminum forgings as before – and still with the same adapter-free flat-mount format – though with a notably sleeker and more premium-looking finish. New titanium hardware supposedly shaves 6 g from the previous version, and Campagnolo has added a sintered compound option for riders that want to prioritize braking performance in wet conditions (at the expense of rotor wear and noise).

Also carrying over is the vibration-reducing liner on the backing plates to further reduce potential noise, and wear indicators that are molded into the pad compound.

Perhaps more interesting is the mention of a “quick hydraulic connection,” although Campagnolo fans that regularly travel with their bikes shouldn’t get too excited. I was initially hoping this was some sort of Zeno-like quick-release hydraulic coupler, but it turns out it’s more akin to the Connectamajig setup that SRAM has used for several years and mainly aids in the initial assembly process.

“It uses a straightforward bleed valve to connect the hydraulic hose from the caliper to the Ergopower lever,” D’Amanzo explained. “The connection can be easily secured using a hex socket wrench or a hex ring spanner, streamlining the entire setup process.”

As for the rotors, those also appear unchanged with the same milling pattern on the brake tracks, the same “floating” design with seven rivets attaching the track to the aluminum spider, and the same emphasis on rounded edges to minimize the chance of rider injury during a crash. Unsurprisingly, they’re offered in the same 160 and 140 mm diameters, exclusively for use with splined hubs and wheels.

Prices and weights

Campagnolo didn’t provide weights for individual Super Record 13 components prior to launch (though by the time you read this, they should be posted on the Campagnolo web site), but the company nevertheless says it’s “the lightest 2x groupset available” with a claimed total of 2,435 g (172.5 mm crankset without power meter, 45/29T chainrings, 10-29T cassette, BSA bottom bracket, 160/140 mm front/rear rotors, and a 114-link chain). That makes for nearly a 100-gram decrease from the outgoing stuff, putting Super Record 13 on more equal footing with Shimano and SRAM.

Far more interesting in my opinion, however, is the massive drop in price.

At US$4,750 / £3,900 / €4,300 for a complete groupset without power meter or US$5,900 / £4,950 / €5,400 with, we’re looking at almost a 20% reduction in cost at full retail. Mind you, that’s still more expensive than Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 or SRAM Red AXS, but the gap is now far smaller than it used to be, and easier for a well-heeled buyer to justify assuming the performance of Campagnolo’s new groupset is what it needs to be.

But are you wondering what exactly Campagnolo did to lower the cost so dramatically? I sure am, and I unfortunately don’t have an answer for you. It seems unlikely that Campagnolo was able to lower its production and R&D costs this much, so the only other logical conclusion is that the brand is hoping to make up for a reduced margin with increased volume.

Either way, this is one change I can’t imagine anyone (save for perhaps folks who already bought Super Record Wireless or Super Record S Wireless) will complain about too much.

The future

Assuming the increase in sales volume pans out the way Campagnolo apparently hopes it will, that’ll have another major benefit: visibility.

As it stands currently, Campagnolo has been on a long and precipitous downward spiral when it comes to overall market share – particularly at the OEM level – and much of that has been due to its lack of competitiveness in terms of both price and performance with Shimano and SRAM. While it can be assumed this has had obvious implications in terms of revenue, it’s also led to a growing percentage of the modern cycling community that simply hasn’t had any exposure to the brand – let alone used it or owned it.

If Campagnolo’s new Super Record 13 groupset is as good as it’s made out to be – and if the company can offer competitive OEM margins to go along with that more appealing retail pricing – that’ll make for a much easier financial argument for all of the product managers out there who still have a soft spot in their hearts for the iconic Italian brand. Even if the still-premium pricing keeps Super Record 13 as merely an aspirational product for many, a modicum of OEM spec with well-known brands will at least put Campagnolo back in some people’s minds.

Far more encouraging is the fact Campagnolo has already made public a longer-term roadmap for where things go from here, and the brand is keen to point out that Super Record 13 represents not just a new groupset, but rather a new “platform.”