Campagnolo have unveiled a new flagship mechanical groupset – Super Record RS – which is said to offer improved shifting thanks to a revised front derailleur and redesigned chainrings.
While the majority of Campagnolo’s sponsored teams use the electronic Record and Super Record EPS groupsets, the Italian firm believes mechanical shifting is far from obsolete and continue to offer those riders the choice between their electronic and mechanical setups, and the launch of Super Record RS reflects that.
“Just as we still haven’t reached the full potential of the electronic transmission, nor have we seen the pinnacle of mechanical transmission performance,” say Campagnolo.
Campagnolo say the launch of Super Record RS comes after extensive lab testing, with prototype components also tested at WorldTour races by Campag’s sponsored teams (Ag2r, Astana, Europcar, Lotto-Belisol, Movistar). Prototypes were laser-etched with SC-14 (which stands for ‘Squadre Corsa 2014’) to help team mechanics to distinguish old and new components while keeping the new groupset under wraps.
Campagnolo acknowledge that the groupset’s improvements are almost invisible to the naked or untrained eye, however the chainrings and front derailleur have been updated to improve shifting performance.
The chainrings, available in 53-39t, 52-36t and 50-34t configurations, have been redesigned with new tooth profiles. Each tooth now has its own profile, which Campagnolo say results in faster and more efficient chain engagement. The front derailleur, meanwhile, has also been updated, and now has a alloy cage, rather than a carbon fibre cage as on the existing Super Record group, to improve its rigidity.
Otherwise, the rest of the groupset is unchanged save for new graphics, with the Italian tricolore to represents Campagnolo’s Italian heritage and the Italian cycling culture from which it was born, while the checkered flag is a nod to the company’s racing pedigree.
The Campagnolo Super Record RS groupset will be available in limited numbers, for a limited time only. UK pricing will be the same as the existing Super Record groupset at £2,176.99.
Website: Campagnolo
