Campagnolo Super Record was Campagnolo's first racing groupset but the quality name has not been used for over 20 years. Now for 2009 we are proud to bring you the return of the Campagnolo Super Record Groupset to help celebrate the brand?s 75th anniversary.

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 derailleur?s lever is 18 percent less. The geometry and ergonomics of the lever has been completely redesigned. The shape of the lever bodies is asymmetric to provide multiple hand positions when riding on the hoods. The new shape offers more room on the underside of the hood for a rider?s fingers, yet a closer position for brake lever when reaching from the drops. The hoods themselves offer a 15 percent larger contact patch and dual-density rubber in the hoods. The final part of the ergonomic story of the new levers is new routing for the cables, to reduce their bulge under the handlebar tape.

The Super Record rear derailleur features carbon fiber, titanium and ceramic materials and its rigidity is one of the factors that translates into snappier, more precise shifting. Campagnolo increased the rigidity of its 11-speed rear derailleurs by redesigning the parallelogram and the carbon fiber front link, a piece that is said to be 150 percent stiffer torsionally than its 10-speed predecessor. Campagnolo also increased the diameter of the deraillleur?s 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 group?s front derailleur. It?s more rigid to increase shifting performance. The inner cage?s 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 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 chain?s 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 were not changed.

Campagnolo?s Ultra-Torque cranks are similar to the current models but uses ceramic Ultra Smooth Bearings for Record cranks and derailleur pulleys and Ceramic Ultimate Level Technology for Super Record cranksets. Campagnolo uses the highest grade ceramic ball bearings on the market, silicon nitride (Si3N4). Comparing the ceramics with Campagnolo?s steel option, the bearings are 30 percent lighter and 40 percent harder. These ball bearings use technopolymer cages, which Campagnolo says further reduces all rolling friction. The new steel is called Cronitect; it increases the bearing system?s resistance to corrosion so that no grease is necessary for lubrication. These bearing can be lubricated with oil alone, and the biggest reason they need to be lubricated is to keep them silent. Campagnolo believes this solution increases the efficiency of ceramic ball bearings.

Campagnolo is so sure of the quality of its new 11-speed groupsets that they decided to add an extra year?s warranty to the three normally given.