Campagnolo has officially unveiled its already much-discussed 2x13 wireless road groupset: the new Super Record Wireless 13. Just two years after the brand debuted its first – and widely considered lacklustre – wireless groupset, Campagnolo says the new system isn’t just an incremental update, it’s a complete reset of the platform. In fact, Campagnolo describes Super Record 13 as the starting point for a wider revamp of its groupset lineup, with more tiers to follow.
Escape Collective was openly critical of Campagnolo’s 2023 Super Record Wireless (SR WRL) release, and while early indications suggested a return trip to Vicenza for hands-on testing of this new groupset, no such invitation materialised.
To date, we’ve neither seen nor touched the Super Record Wireless 13 in person. Instead, what follows is a summary of the available information Campagnolo shared to media. As a long-time Campagnolo user, fan, and more recently critic, I pored over these documents not just to write a news story on a new groupset, but to ascertain if Campagnolo may right the wrong of two years ago. I also wanted to know if its new groupset might tempt me back from SRAM Red, my current drop-bar groupset benchmark.
An overhauled shift platform
Dubbed Super Record Wireless 13 (or SR13), the new groupset is built on an overhauled platform that delivers several key changes: an additional sprocket, redesigned shifter ergonomics including a return of the thumb shifter, a new rear derailleur architecture, new chainrings, cassettes, and a full ecosystem rethink to reduce weight, price, and complexity.
Campagnolo claims the new system is not only the lightest in its class (2,445 g) but also the fastest in shift actuation. It also comes with a significant price drop compared to its somewhat extortionate predecessor, now €4,300 without a power meter, down from the previous €5,200. Pricing in other markets is US$4,750 / £3,900.
Iain Treloar
Despite the short interval between releases, which one might consider a response to how SR WRL was received in the market, Campagnolo says SR13 was always part of the longer-term roadmap. While the 12-speed version represented a necessary first step to enter the wireless market, this 13-speed version resets the platform for broader compatibility, future trickle-down, and improved reliability, especially, as Campagnolo claims, in shifting under load.
So far so good. The headline stats have me thinking SR WRL was merely a bridging solution, buying Campagnolo time while it secretly worked on this complete overhaul. That said, I can’t help but wonder what damage that previous group did to Campagnolo’s market share, and if a longer wait might have been better than the SR WRL interim solution.
13-speed: Seriously? Another extra cog?
Campagnolo’s press materials proudly conveyed the brand’s historical success in being the first to 10, 11, 12, and then 1X13 speed. The core headline here is being the first to 2x13 for the road with the addition of a 13th sprocket to its Super Record offering.
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