Test: The Italian manufacturer raises the curtain and presents the new Super Record EPS with twelve gears. Velomotion has already been able to test ride the group extensively - here are our impressions of the Campagnolo Super Record EPS 12.
In spring 2018, Campagnolo stole the show from the competition with the first twelve-speed road bike group. The Italians, who were once again the first with an additional sprocket after Eleven in autumn 2018, presented sprocket packages at the time, which should now really offer the right gear ratio for every application, and without any gaps: 11-29 and 11- 32 are graduated in increments of one up to 17; the 19 sprocket is then followed by 21 or 22, then it goes with evenly increasing jumps to the easiest gear. Can you top that? You can, with the electronic variant EPS, which has already been spotted here and there in the professional peloton and is a logical further development of the mechanical twelve-speed groupsets. The electronic groupset developed since 2007 and presented in 2012 is now available in its fourth version, although the function has not changed.
Proven Campa logic even with 12-speed electronic
Campagnolo still relies on the proven "One lever, one action" principle: thumb button to switch to the smaller sprocket or chainring, shift lever to change gears against the spring tension of the rear derailleur and front derailleur and rigid brake lever only for deceleration. The mechanical variant of the system was convincing from the start because several sprockets could be shifted in both directions and that the shift cables were already routed under the handlebar tape in the first variants. Also typical of Campagnolo have always been the defined, well-spaced shift steps, which never left the driver in the dark about the gear change - a virtue that was unfortunately given up in some simple variants of the mechanical system.
As is well known, the EPS works according to the same principle, which has proven to be an advantage in view of the lower operating forces of electronic gearshifts. The upshift and downshift buttons are clearly separated, making it nearly impossible to switch; The "Multi Dome" technology in the lever - small aluminum plates with a precisely defined deformation resistance - ensures a noticeable "click" when shifting, which is reminiscent of the feedback of a mechanical system. Whether eleven or twelve sprockets are shifted through in this way makes no difference to the user - the gear changes are precise and smooth. The same applies to the front derailleur, which willingly pushes the chain onto the larger ring even under load and unobtrusively readjusts it if the chain slips.
The new electronic rear derailleur looks filigree and with the unidirectional carbon structure more elegant than its predecessor. Its medium-length rocker arm allows the use of both sprocket sets, whereas the old EPS was limited to 29 teeth. The revised geometry ensures that the upper chain roller is close to the sprocket set, which ensures an optimal wrap angle of the chain.
Campagnolo Super Record EPS 12: high-quality exterior full of high-tech
Even if the Ergopower levers of the 12-speed EPS feel and shift like their predecessors, their electronic inner workings are completely new. As a result, eleven-speed levers cannot be switched to the additional sprocket via a software update. The switching system can be connected to electronic end devices via Bluetooth and ANT+ and configured individually; the "interface" required for this can be accommodated either under the stem or in the end of the handlebars. A manual fine adjustment of the rear derailleur is also possible. Mechanical customization is also possible: the reach and free travel of the brake levers can be adjusted using an Allen key. The new battery, which should now fit into even more frames thanks to its slimmer shape, is now even more enduring with 10% more capacity.
Much of the new Super Record EPS is already known from last year, such as the smooth-surfaced bottom bracket set with hollow crank arms, whose shimmering carbon fibers are not covered by any paint and are said to be permanently UV-resistant. The most striking feature of the right crank are the so-called "braces", connecting webs between two of the four arms of the crank star, which are intended to improve rigidity and power transmission. The two chainrings (in the combinations 50/34, 52/36 and 53/39) each have their own bolt circle and are mounted separately from each other. Also known are the rim brakes presented last year, also available in a direct-mount version, which are stiffer than the old skeleton brakes and offer a harder pressure point.
components: Test: Campagnolo disc brake H11 – Can Campa also disc?
Test: It's finally here! After a long wait, Campagnolo has now presented the final version of its own disc brake. Lots of clever detailed solutions should make it the best disc for road cyclists. We were able to see for ourselves and admit: the wait was worth it. Campagnolo and the disc brake. It was always such a […]
The also well-known disc brakes of the Italians are of course the more forward-looking variant. Developed in cooperation with Magura, the brake system is said to be particularly heat-resistant - videos from the test laboratory show a disc glowing red at 300 degrees, while the temperature at the brake caliper remains low. This should prevent the dreaded brake fading. Rounded brake discs and beveled pads should make wheel installation easier; the pads with a large, heat-dissipating backing plate are also equipped with an optical wear indicator.
First Ride: First riding impressions of the Campagnolo Super Record EPS 12
On the road, the new Campagnolo Super Record EPS 12 proves to be a worthy successor to the 32-speed group. Whether you need the largest sprocket often or not is an open question - with the twelve-speed package you are prepared for really everything that has a road surface suitable for racing bikes, and without any gaps in the gears that are used a lot. The buttons on the Ergopower lever give clear feedback and have enough resistance that you don't press them accidentally. Even shifting to the large XNUMX sprocket is smooth; Chain skew is not penalized by chatter or noticeable friction.
Campagnolo's powerful disc brakes once again prove to be extremely easy to control. If you ride in the brake lever position, you only need to place your index finger in the comfortable recess on the lever and can use it to dose sensitively and grip powerfully. This makes the brakes predictable and inspires confidence - exactly what you need on steep descents, in tight, fast corners and on bumpy tracks.
Do you need the Campagnolo Super Record EPS? 4.327 Euros costs the complete group with rim brakes, 4.677 Euros with disc brake. That sounds huge, but is only slightly above the prices of the corresponding eleven-fold groups and should be significantly less on the market anyway. In return you get one of the most modern road bike groups in the world 2.255 or 2.505 grams relatively light and even sustainable in a way - Campagnolo still offers single sprockets and the large blocks of three of the cassettes as wearing parts. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether the electronic gearshift has clear advantages over the clearly cheaper mechanical variants - the function of the EPS is perfect in any case.