If the latest Campagnolo Super Record 13 seemed in danger of becoming a ‘people’s groupset’ with its more accessible pricing, the new Ultra upgrade components – carbon chainrings, titanium sprockets and ceramic bearings – will return the Italian brand to the realms of rarefied prestige.
According to Campagnolo, the new version of the flagship groupset is “addressed to ultra-demanding cyclists who will appreciate the ultimate expression of mechatronics applied to a bicycle”. The Ultra component package has, it says, been designed to enhance the performance and aesthetics of the Super Record 13 groupset, making it unique. And it’s for those “seeking the ultimate performance and lightest weight”. Super Record 13 is already the lightest groupset on the market – now it's even lighter.
Before anyone starts accusing Campagnolo of elitism, the regular Super Record 13 is available in the same format, configurations and price as when it launched in June, but for those building a money-no-object, dream bike the Ultra version has to be the one.
Ultra carbon chainring
The Ultra chainring is made of what Campagnolo calls a carbon fibre “bearing structure”. The carbon gives the chainring absolute rigidity, it claims, resulting in consistent power transfer even when passing through dead spots. The brand says the composite is stabilised at 130 degrees under controlled molding pressures so that the resin seals the correct orientation of fibres according to the work planes of the finished component.
The carbon construction also reduces the weight of the entire component by 34g in the 50-tooth version and 28g in the 52-tooth version. These are the only two sizes available.
Campagnolo has specced aluminium rather than carbon teeth, however: they are made of 7075 aluminum alloy, as used in aeronautical applications, with a hard-anodised heat treatment that it says guarantees longevity and durability of the chainring and chain.
The new carbon chainrings are manufactured at Campagnolo’s Vicenza headquarters. By contrast, the regular components are developed at Vicenza and then, once Campagnolo is satisfied with the process, they go into mass production at its factory in Romania. There are some exceptions – Ghibli disc wheels, for example, are all manufactured in Vicenza.
The Ultra chainrings will be priced at €330 (UK pricing TBC).
Ultra titanium cassette
The new Ultra 13 cassette has its larger quadruple/quintuple sprocket sets made of aircraft-grade titanium and are machined from a solid titanium block. The 10-33 cassette includes a single block of four titanium sprockets and weighs 215g – 30g less than the standard Super Record 10-33 with steel sprockets – while the 11-36 has its largest five sprockets machined from titanium and weighs 238g, which is 44g less than the steel version.
The Ultra cassette, like the chainrings, will be made in Vicenza and, to visibly differentiate it from the regular cassette, it has a unique aesthetic with laser-etched graphics and a black chrome/natural titanium combination. As with the chainring, there are just two sizes – the 10-33 and 11-36.
Campagnolophiles will recall that titanium sprockets are nothing new for the flagship groupset: nine, 10 and 11-speeds were always offered with the larger sprockets in titanium, and were also premium priced. The Ultra 10-33 and 11-36 sprocket sets will be priced at €620 (again, UK prices TBC).
Ultra ceramic bottom bracket ball bearings
Perhaps it was a surprise that Super Record 13’s QCK-Tech bottom bracket contained stainless steel bearings rather than ceramic CULT, as used by its 12-speed predecessor. But now that’s rectified: the Ultra version of the BB comes with silicon nitride ball bearings that Campagnolo says are selected according to international aerospace standards, with superior roundness, virtually free of any impurities or metal particles, and of course excellent surface quality for optimal pedalling performance and long life.
The internal cage is made from a high-performance resin to reduce friction and noise between the balls; a double-seal system includes an internal seal between the inner and outer rings to protect the bearings, plus an external seal between the outer ring and the bottom bracket axle.
The weight saving is less than with the other components – the BSA version weighs 49g, which is 3g less than the standard version – but the performance is obviously superior.
The Ultra ceramic BB will be priced at €164 (UK price TBC).
The Ultra components will be available individually or in an exclusive “full pack” that comes in special packaging that echoes the aesthetic finish of the groupset with a chrome-plated metal plate and a contrasting black Ultra logo.
Ultra is available to order now – see Campagnolo’s website for details.
