Test of the new Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 2×13

Lighter, cheaper than the previous version and equipped with an additional sprocket, the new Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 2×13 is the first 13-speed wireless electronic transmission groupset for bicycles. route on the market. The Italian brand is back in the race against the giants Shimano and SRAM and is establishing itself not only as a more than credible alternative in terms of options and performance, but it is even taking the leadtage with its number of gears. We have testThis WorldTour level group over several hundred kilometers.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr

Campagnolo remains an iconic brand in the world of cycling, after having been the unconventional reference for almost fifty yearstestin terms of transmissions. However, for three decades, the Vicenza-based company has been losing market share to the Japanese giant Shimano, omnipresent in all bicycle segments. The American brand SRAM has also been gaining ground since the mid-2000s, relegating Campagnolo to the rank of third player, sometimes perceived as inaccessible, too expensive or too luxurious, partly due toalmost exclusively European manufacturing. Despite this, Campagnolo has never stopped innovating, being the first brand to introduce 10-speed drivetrains in 2000, 11-speed in 2008, 12-speed in 2018, and 13-speed in 2020 with the Ekar single-chainring groupset dedicated to gravel.

With the Super Record Wireless 2×13 presented in June, the brand once again establishes itself as a pioneer by offering a double chainring groupset with 13 sprockets, a novelty in the segment routeThis groupset doesn't just add an extra sprocket: it improves in terms of performance, lightness and ergonomics, while correcting the criticisms leveled at its predecessor, the Super Record Wireless 12 speed launched in 2023.

The Super Record 13 is unveiled as a completely redesigned platform, serving as the basis for a new generation of Campagnolo groupsets, with versions planned for gravel and time trial. At a starting price of €4 300 (without power meter) or €5 (with power meter), it is also positioned as more affordable than its predecessor, while remaining in the segment premium liquors against its competitors Shimano Dura Ace Di2 et SRAM Red AXS, also presenting itself as a little lighter.

Lightness, precision, efficiency

Let's dispel the suspense right away: this new Super Record 2x13 group works perfectly, whether at the braking level, already reconnaked as very efficient on the previous version, or gear changes, smooth, fast and precise, even under heavy loads.

The hydraulic braking is powerful and adjustable, while proving particularly reliable in extreme conditions, such as heavy rain or on a fast, steep descent. The feel of the brake lever is firmer than the competition, but it offers better feedback to control the force to be applied and avoid locking the wheel.

Campagnolo aficionados will not be disoriented by the tactile sensation of the mechanical “click” of the rear derailleur, characteristic of the brand, a little more marked than the sometimes too smooth aspect of Shimano gear changes.

In terms of ergonomics, Campagnolo has reintroduced the thumb lever, with a slightly refined grip shape, halfway between Shimano and SRAM. Hand positioning is comfortable and natural, although a period of adaptation may be necessary to master the gear changing system or the use of the additional button located on the top of the grips, towards the inside.

Finally, in addition to being aesthetically very successful, with more compact components than on the previous version, still using noble materials such as carbon and titanium, and communicating wirelessly with the derailleurs, This new Super Record 2x13 easily rivals the Dura-Ace and Red AXS groups in terms of weight. Enough to assemble bikes weighing less than 7 kg to play leading roles in the WorldTour.

Summary of the weights and prices of the components of the new Campagnolo Super Record 2×13 groupset

2×13 transmission: a new dimension

The heart of the Super Record Wireless 2x13 lies in its 13-sprocket cassette, a world first for a group route double chainring. Far from simply adding a sprocket, Campagnolo has optimized thetagement of reports. The brand offers four cassette options:

• 10-29 (avec des pignons de 10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/20/23/26/29)
• 10-33 (avec des pignons de 10/11/12/13/14/15/16/18/20/23/26/29/33)
• 11-32 (avec des pignons de 11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/20/23/26/29/32)
• 11-36 (avec des pignons de 11/12/13/14/15/16/18/20/23/26/29/32/36)

These cassette options are associated with seven tray combination options, a larger offer than the competition:

• 45-29
• 48-32
• 50-34
• 52-36
• 53-39
• 54-39
• 55-39

To simplify inventory management for consumers and resellers, Campagnolo ships the chainrings separately from the cranks. (available in 165, 170, 172,5 and 175 mm). An asset for optimal customization.

The carbon crankset, as always with Campagnolo, is light, rigid, with smooth bearings and aesthetically flawless, even if this remains subjective!

Like Shimano or SRAM, Campagnolo focuses on versatility by increasing the number of sprockets to widen the development range.. For sporty riding on gently rolling terrain, the 50-34 combination with a 10-29 cassette on the bike test led us to never really use the small chainring. If we had been able to benefit from 53-39 chainrings, like those we usually use, the 10 sprocket would have been useless with the 10-speed cassette, or else it was the 32 which would never have been used with the 11-speed cassette. In short, We believe that a 10-25 cassette or an 11-28 cassette is missing to meet our needs, as well as those of many competitors or amateur triathletes.

Important clarification: all sprockets can be used with the large chainring, with remarkable fluidity and without noise, but on the smallest chainring, the smallest sprocket is electronically blocked.

Please note: the chain, chainrings and cassettes are specific to the 13-speed system and not backward compatible with 12-speed components. The groupset uses the N3W freehub body standard, requiring compatible wheels.

Ergonomics in clear progression

Brake/shift levers are always iconic on a drivetrain, because they are not only aesthetically notable, but they also play an important role in the comfort and control felt when pedaling. The Ergopower grips of this groupset have been redesigned to match the asymmetry of the hand, increasing the contact surface for greater comfort during long rides or during phases of intense effort. They are a little less massive than the 12-speed models.

One of the most noticeable changes on these Super Record 2×13 shifters is the return of the button at thumb level on the handle, an iconic feature of Campagnolo levers absent on the 12-speed model, which disappointed many purists. Repositioned closer to the body of the lever and less prominent, this button offers better accessibility, especially with hands at the bottom of the handlebars. Behind the brake lever, with curves designed to offer a good grip even with hands on the hoods, there is another lever configured by default to move up one or more gears on the cassette, or shift from the small to the large chainring.

Each controller has three buttons configurable via the MyCampy 3.0 application, to customize gear changes or control a speedometer/GPS, thanks to a switch on the top and inside of the handlebar. However, with two different users (and two operating systems), connecting to the app sometimes proved cumbersome, making initial customization complicated. But let's be clear that a recent update has fixed this problem and allowed us to delve a little deeper into all of MyCampy's features.

In addition to improved ergonomics, These new controllers also improve in terms of finish, with a hollowed-out area just behind the lever under the handle with much softer edges for the index finger than on the previous version of the Super Record.

Wireless system and fast gear changes

Like the SRAM Red AXS, The Super Record 2×13 is completely wireless, with Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity for seamless communication between Ergopower levers and front and rear derailleurs.Campagnolo claims that shifting speeds are 47% faster up and down the cassette and 36% faster up and down the cassette compared to the 12-speed Super Record Wireless. In fact, The operation is both smooth and fluid, fast and almost silent, in any case largely at the level of the Dura-Ace and Red AXS references. The multi-gear changes (MultiShift) are particularly efficient, although slightly noisy when changing quickly from one sprocket to another. The wireless system also makes it easier to mounttage of the group and is aesthetically refined.

The rear derailleur still benefits from noble materials such as carbon and titanium for its construction., which have long made Campagnolo's reputation. It has been redesigned with a more compact architecture and optimized positioning under the cassette. It uses two 14-tooth pulleys with specific profiles to minimize friction and optimize chain retention. The upper pulley incorporates ceramic bearings. It is compatible with sprockets from 10 to 36 teeth.

The front derailleur, also redesigned, is more compact than that of the 12-speed, providing more clearance for the montage of a rear tire up to 34 mm. It manages gaps of 16 teeth between the chainrings, just like the Shimano Dura-Ace, and integrates a self-aligning function to avoid chain friction. Here too, the operation is perfect: even under strong pedaling constraints, in accelerations or on a steep slopetagand by applying a lot of force to the pedals, the chainring changes are clear, fast and extremely clean. It was impossible for us to fault the system (and yet we tried!).

Both derailleurs work with rechargeable batteries on the bike or not, because they are removable. However, they are not interchangeable (SRAM patent).

A decline in autonomy

The front and rear derailleurs use separate batteries that are rechargeable via a magnetic USB-C cable. A full charge provides an average range of 750 km, according to the brand, with a charging time of 60 minutes (90% in 45 minutes). This is a range a little behind the SRAM Red AXS and quite significantly behind the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, but which still uses cables between the main battery and the two derailleurs. In practice, however, we noted a real autonomy quite close to 900 km for the rear derailleur, and much superior for the front derailleur, little used due to the gears offered on the bike test.

The autonomy actually depends on the usage habits and the region in which you drive. Too bad that the fact that the two batteries are not interchangeable cannot help in case of breakdown on the route. Between a fully wireless system, fast gear changes, weight savings and battery life, it's hard to have it all..

The shifters are powered by CR2032 batteries, with an estimated lifespan of 18 to 24 months. LED indicators on the derailleurs make it easy to check battery status.

Powerful and adjustable braking

The Super Record 3×13 retains the previous generation's hydraulic disc brake calipers, with 140 and 160 mm discs. These brakes, already renowned for their power and progressiveness, have only undergone cosmetic modifications.

On the road, their power, their progressiveness and the feel they offer at the levers can convince any cyclist who is reluctant to use disc brakes. Added to this is an almost total absence of noise or friction, whether braking in the rain or after very hard braking. This isa true reference in the field.

A competitive weight

Weighing 2g (without power meter) including the stated mass of all components, the Super Record 439 is the lightest double chainring group on the market..

All things considered, we arrive at 2 g (verified) for the Dura-Ace Di442 2-speed, and even 12 g for the elusive FSA K-Force We 2 Disc! In other words, this triplet is in the same league as the SRAM Red AXS (at 441 g verified). The few grams of difference may depend on the options chosen (size of the chainrings, cranks, discs, cassette or even… length of the brake hoses!).

More What you need to remember is that the new Super Record achieves this performance with a thirteenth sprocket, thanks to the extensive use of carbon, titanium and anodized aluminum. In terms of materials, it even adds a “black chrome” finish on the chain and cassette to reduce noise and improve durability.

In short, a real performance, especially since the group is priced similarly to the competition, or around €900 less than the previous 12-speed version. And without denying almost exclusive manufacturing in Europe.

A new benchmark 

Beyond its design and finish, which are reminiscent of what Italian elegance represents, the Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 2×13 is not perfect in every way, like its two main competitors.The exclusivity of 13-speed components and the need for an N3W freehub body can complicate upgrades for those who want to adopt the groupset. Among the many development options offered, a cassette with an etagvery tight, for the flattest regions. Similarly, the MyCampy app lacks advanced features for configuration and diagnostics, and the connection with the components is not always smooth.

However, The Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 2×13 is quite a success. With its lightness, rapid gear changes, redesigned ergonomics, and sleek aesthetics, it stands out as a choice option for demanding cyclists, whether they are competitive or passionate. For Campagnolo purists, the return of the thumb lever is a strong argument. For everyone else, the addition of a thirteenth sprocket is also a factor to consider, especially since it comes with a reduction in the overall weight of the group.

While waiting for the gravel and time trial versions promised for autumn 2025, The Super Record 2x13 lays the foundations for a new era for Campagnolo, and establishes itself as a benchmark largely on par with what Shimano and SRAM offer..

Contact : campagnolo.com

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