Much Groupset action is planned for 2007. SRAMs launch is followed swiftly with a re design of pretty much all of the Campagnolo groupsets. the new ULTRA-TORQUE system will not be the reserve of just the top end groupsets as Campagnolo have made sure that the technology is available for all price points. We’ve had a look at Veloce here, and mighty impressed we are too. It’s a lot lighter than previous groupos and looks fab. This stuff was all ready to go onto Condor’s 2007 bikes for the show, thanks to them, we had a sneaky peek.

Campagnolo’s new BB system features a hollow-spindle bottom bracket with a splined-interface in the centre of the BB axle – half of the bottom bracket spindle is attached to its respective crankarm, and the spline interface locks together in the middle. Very neat and totally hidden.

They make a big play on the reduced Q factor (the distance that your feet are apart) over rival Shimano’s BB system. When placing the bearings outside the frame a wider BB axle and crank arm is inevitable but Campag have made the crank arms without fixing bolts and therefore much less bulk than Shimano. Stiffness claims are impressive too and it’s noticeably lighter than previous Veloce cranks.

Campagnolo have some major claims for ULTRA-TORQUE, as follows:

Lighter than Campagnolo 2006, Shimano or FSA
Laterally Stiffer than Campag 2006, FSA, and Dura Ace
Record and Chorus are Torsionally Stiffer than Campa 2006, FSA or Dura Ace
Same Q-Factor as Campagnolo 2006
Q-Factor is Better than Shimano and FSA
Same Q-Clerance in BB area as Campagnolo 2006
Much better Q-Clearance than Shimano or FSA
Easier to assemble than Shimano or FSA: one bolt
Lower rotating friction than Shimano and FSA
Oversize bearings last longer and are not expensive to replace
Cups are compatible with existing Shimano tools
Bolt uses a 10mm hex key

Veloce Group main features

New ULTRA-TORQUE™ Crankset with integrated BB, (170/172.5/175mm 34-50/39-53)
Brand New Skeleton™ D-Brakes, much more powerful in DRY and wet conditions
Brand New Hubs (Centaur with Vento 2006 type QR)
New QS Ergopower (Escape™ mech) with lighter (hollow) shift lever
New “Quick Shift” standard and CT front derailleurs

More pictures to follow, of new brakes, shifters and derailleurs…

www.campagnolo.com

Veloce – in compact or standard pattern	Ultra Torque	The Splined bit
Outboard bearings	The ‘Shimano compatible’ BB cups	Slender and elegant crankarm
Ultra Torque – neat and tidy	Fastened with one 10mm Allen key – simple	Bolt is recessed half way down the axle
The splined interface	One bolt does it all	Bearings fit to axle
And the cups tight to the crankarm	Oversized crank at one end	Mirage crank has Ultra Torque too
has the same splined axles	make a point on ‘Q’ factor