Published May 16, 2012 06:27PM
In a move that will certainly be welcomed by many who want more than a compact double to ease their uphill riding, Campagnolo will be offering three new triple cranksets for 2013.
Each crankset is claimed to have the lowest “U-factor” (width of the crank at the bottom bracket; i.e., ankle clearance) and “Q-factor” (width of the crank at the pedal eye; i.e., pedaling stance width) in its class. Campagnolo claims shifting speed and precision on par with double drivetrains.
These will be Campagnolo’s first ultra-light, hollow-forged aluminum cranks. Three new triple cranksets will be available: Athena 11-speed in Deep Black and Bright Silver versions, Centaur 10-speed in Deep Black and Black-and-Red versions, and Veloce 10-speed in Deep Black and Bright Silver versions. Chainring sizes will be 30-39-50 (10-speed only) and 30-39-52 (11-speed or Centaur 10-speed).
The triple front derailleur has been completely redesigned, while the rear derailleur, which will be available with a short (55mm), medium (72.5mm), medium+ (82mm; 11-speed Athena only), or long (89mm, 10-speed only) cage, has the same body as in the standard 10- and 11-speed Athena, Centaur and Veloce groups. The long-cage derailleur will be needed with the new Centaur 10-speed 12-30 cogset; a new 12-27 Centaur 10-speed cogset will also be available. The cogsets will be quieter and more durable, thanks to a special surface hardening treatment and geometry synchronized with the Teflon-coated Centaur 10-speed chain.
In 11-speed compact double cranks, Campagnolo is announcing that it will offer a new chainring combination: 52/36. The new compact 52/36 carbon-only cranksets will be available for all 11-speed Campagnolo groups, namely Super Record, Record, Chorus and Athena. Available lengths will be in 165, 170, 172.5 and 175mm. Weights will be: 663g for Athena Carbon, 690g for Chorus, 40g less for Record (650g), and 607g for the Super Record. The 52/36 Super Record and Record cranksets are compatible with the Campagnolo EPS electronic drivetrain.