At the end of 2009 Campagnolo introduced the Athena 11 speed groupset with the option of a carbon fibre or alloy chainset.

The excellent features for the Campagnolo Athena groupsets Ultra-Torque crankset and the new Skeleton brakes have all been brought forward from 2008 but with the added benefit of a groupset that contains an extra cog! The 11 speed groupsets have a higher level of efficiency, precisiion and quality of rear derailleur shifting and front derailleur shifting than the previous 10 speed versions.

The new 11 speed groupset introduces the third edition of Ergopower, which is called Ergopower Ultra-Shift. Campagnolo maintains its commitment to the original Ergopower concept with its new Ultra-Shift controls, that is: One lever, one action. The Ultra-Shift retains three levers, each of which operates a sole function: braking, upshifting and downshifting. It also preserves the ability to shift up five higher or down three lower gears on the cassette with a single lever stroke. Campagnolo claims that the lever effort required for the rear derailleur has been decreased by 13 percent, while the stroke of the front derailleurs lever is 18 percent less. The final part of the ergonomic story of the levers is new routing for the cables, to reduce their bulge under the handlebar tape.

The Athena rear derailleur translates into snappier, more precise shifting. Campagnolo has increased the diameter of the deraillleurs pulleys. This is said to reduce vibration and ensure the chain runs as smoothly as possible onto the cassette. The pulley material is also lighter and dramatically molded to save weight.

Campagnolo has completely redesigned the inner cage of the 11-speed groups front derailleur. Its more rigid to increase shifting performance. The inner cages new design works in tandem with the new 11-speed chainrings. The large ring has two oppositely positioned ramps for up shifts and chamfers for downshifts. The new design is said to guide the chain rather than force it.

The new 11 speed Campagnolo hollow pin chain is 5.5 mm. The previous 10 speed version was 5.9 mm but the new steel used in the 11 speed version makes it 20 percent stronger that the 10 speed model. The chain is still installed using a pin system called Ultra-Link. The design of the outer plates allows it to be picked up by the cogs and chainrings more easily than previous designs.

The new 11 speed cassette has been redesigned using a sharks fin-shaped tooth to assist the chains transition from one gear to another. Two new aluminum carriers for the six largest cogs transform three sprockets into a single and solid block with a 180 percent increase in torsional rigidity. The 11-speed cassette will fit all of Campagnolo freehub body dimensions.

The groupset consists of 7 pieces : Ergo levers (including cables), brake callipers, crankset with bracket cups, front mech, rear mech, cassette, chain.

Weight: Alloy 2352 g, Carbon Chainset 2239 g