Four-arm carbon crank, revamped front and rear derailleurs
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Europcar rider Maxime Mederel is using this prototype Campagnolo group at this year's Giro d'Italia. Details are scant but this is likely an all-new Record group(Image credit: James Huang)
Europcar rider Maxime Mederel's bike had new cranks and derailleurs on it but what looked to be current-generation Campagnolo Record Ergopower levers(Image credit: James Huang)
Although the front derailleur geometry is clearly different from current Campagnolo models, the company's current non-indexed Ergopower front shifter will likely still be compatible(Image credit: James Huang)
The outer cage plate is carbon fiber while the inner looks to be made of aluminum(Image credit: James Huang)
The front derailleur uses Shimano-like geometry with a very long and upright lever arm, which suggests a faster shift to the outer chainring for a given amount of shift lever movement(Image credit: James Huang)
Much of the rear derailleur is made of molded carbon fiber. Tidy Allen-head set screws lend a clean appearance. And yes, there are eleven cogs on that cassette(Image credit: James Huang)
The rear derailleur is all-new with an offset parallelogram geometry(Image credit: James Huang)
The big carbon fiber arms are assuredly hollow and use Campagnolo's current Ultra-Torque spindle design on this setup. A 30mm version for BB30 and PF30 frames is likely, though(Image credit: James Huang)
The relatively small chainring bolt circle diameter looks to be compatible with both standard and compact chainrings without having to swap crankarms. Bolts feed in from behind and thread directly into the arm(Image credit: James Huang)
The crankarms are serialized (number 57!), which also suggests that this prototype Campagnolo group is nearing production(Image credit: James Huang)
The outer chainring is already in its fifth revision, which suggests that it might be nearing an official release(Image credit: James Huang)
Chainrings are clearly machined on this prototype but we expect forged units for production(Image credit: James Huang)
Hidden away on the Colnago C60 of Europcar rider Maxime Mederel was an all-new group from Campagnolo(Image credit: James Huang)
Quietly hidden away on the Colnago C60 of Europcar rider Maxime Mederel at the Giro d'Italia was a prototype Campagnolo drivetrain that – as far as we're aware – hadn't seen a camera lens until today. The radically new design is a major departure from Campagnolo's current design and while there were no identifying logos, we're also guessing this will be ultimately wear the Record model name. If our observations hold true, this new group will be lighter and more versatile with faster shifting to boot.
The star of the new group is the four-arm crank which uses molded carbon fiber arms, an integrated chainring spider, and what looks to be the same Ultra-Torque split-spindle design of current Campagnolo cranks. Chainring bolts feed in from behind and thread directly into the spider and given the estimated size of the bolt circle diameter, the crank looks like it will be compatible with both standard and compact chainrings.
Both chainrings were clearly made via CNC machining but we would expect more durable forged construction come production time. Given the recent introduction of Campagnolo's Over-Torque cranksets for BB30 and PF30 oversized bottom brackets, a similar option on this new crank seems like a safe bet.
Both derailleurs have been completely redesigned as well and current Campagnolo users will be happy to know that – at least on this prototype setup – the new drivetrain carries on with an 11-speed rear end. Mederel's Colnago appeared to be equipped with current-generation Campagnolo Record Ergopower levers (although it's entirely possible that internal differences will prevent full cross-compatibility).
Geometry on both derailleurs is clearly different from current designs with the rear utilizing an offset parallelogram linkage and the front featuring a very long and upright lever arm similar to Shimano's latest offerings. As is – and assuming the same internals in the lever – this suggests that the front derailleur will initially move more with the same amount of lever movement for faster shifts to the outer chainring.
The offset rear derailleur linkage, on the other hand, suggests an increased amount of chain wrap around the cassette for a more positive interface, especially for cogs with fewer teeth. We also spotted new Allen-head set screws for the rear derailleur limit adjusters, which lends a decidedly neat and tidy appearance.
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Materials on both derailleurs are similar to what Campagnolo uses currently, including molded carbon fiber for the rear derailleur knuckles and outer linkage plate, and aluminum for the inner plate. The pulley cage is aluminum on Mederel's bike but could easily be carbon by the time production units come around.
Meanwhile, the front derailleur uses forged aluminum linkage bits and a dual-material cage with a carbon fiber outer plate and aluminum inner.
We've contacted Campagnolo for an official comment and were still awaiting a response when this article was published. However, a few cues suggest to us that this new group isn't far from being introduced to the public: the arms bear serial numbers, the outer chainring is apparently already in its fifth revision, and both of the derailleurs are clearly made with production-level tooling.
Either way, we're certainly excited to hear more and we'll be sure to report when we do.
