Campagnolo has introduced what it’s calling the Ultra upgrade to its Super Record 13 groupset for those with very, very deep pockets, including carbon chainrings that come at £305 a throw, a £575 titanium cassette, and ceramic bottom bracket ball bearings that are priced £150. That lot comes to over £1,000, but if you buy the whole lot as a package, you’re looking at £905… on top of the price of the rest of a Campagnolo Super Record 13 groupset, of course.
Who is the Ultra version of Super Record 13 aimed at? Those with a lot of cash, clearly, so that rules out everyone here at road.cc.
Beyond that, Campagnolo says, “The Ultra upgrade of the new Campagnolo groupset is addressed to ultra-demanding cyclists who will appreciate the ultimate expression of mechatronics applied to a bicycle.”
Campagnolo launched the latest version of Super Record back in June, priced at £3,850 (excluding the bottom bracket and rotors), but now it looks like you need to spend more if you really want the best that the Italian brand has to offer.
> Campagnolo launches overhauled Super Record
The Ultra chainring is a carbon fibre structure with aluminium teeth – 7075 aluminium with a hard-anodised heat treatment.
“[The] composite is stabilised at 130 degrees under controlled moulding pressures throughout the polymerisation cycle, so that the matrix (in this case, the resin) seals the correct orientation of fibres according to the work planes of the finished component,” according to Campagnolo.
The chainring is manufactured at Campag’s HQ in Vicenza, Italy. The 50-tooth version has a claimed weight of 78g, which is 34g less than the standard 50-tooth Super Record chainring. A 52-tooth chainring is said to be 102g. That’s 28g lighter than the Super Record chainring.
The cassette is made in Vicenza too.
“The new Ultra 13 cassette is provided with the larger quadruple/quintuple sprocket sets made of aircraft-grade titanium,” says Campagnolo.
Two versions are available: the 10-33 cassette weighs a claimed 215g, which is 30g less than the Super Record equivalent, and the 11-36 cassette comes in at a claimed 238g. That’s 44g less than the Super Record version.
Finally, Campag Ultra offers a bottom bracket bearing upgrade.
“To enhance every performance detail of the Super Record groupset, the bearings are equipped with silicon nitride ball bearings selected according to international aerospace standards,” says Campagnolo. “These guarantee superior roundness, virtually free of any impurities or metal particles, and excellent surface quality – for optimal pedalling performance and long life.”
“Technical features have been further enhanced by redesigning the bearing’s internal cage, made of high-performance resin, which reduces friction and noise between the balls. A double-seal system has been introduced: an internal seal between the inner and outer rings to protect the bearings, and an external seal between the outer ring and the bottom bracket axle to ensure cleanliness and smoothness over time.
“This solution represents an evolution of Campagnolo’s integrated ball bearing system, with ceramic ball bearings mounted directly on the crankset axle.”
Campag also claims a weight saving here, but don’t get overexcited about it. Hitting the scales at a claimed 49g, the BSA version is lighter than its standard Super Record equivalent by 3g.
“On the road, an improvement of this level will not go unnoticed and will certainly be felt immediately thanks to the possibility of saving up to 81g with the entire kit, making Super Record the lightest groupset on the market by an even greater margin,” says Campagnolo.
81g? If you think purely in terms of weight saved, the £905 full Campagnolo Ultra package works out at £11.17 for every gram saved.
Here are the Campagnolo Ultra prices:
- 50T or 52T chainring: £305 (£400 chainring set)
- 10-33 and 11-36 sprocket sets: £575
- Ceramic bottom bracket ball bearings: £150
- Full Campagnolo Ultra package (all of the above): £905.
7 thoughts on “If Super Record 13 isn’t posh enough for you… Campagnolo has introduced a £900 Ultra upgrade”
I’ve just made a mess
I’ve just made a mess
I recall a coach on a
I recall a coach on a training camp saying if you are that worried about bike weight just go to the toilet before the ride and empty your bowels
Sounds like Nick’s already
Sounds like Nick’s already done that, so considering other measures now seems reasonable.
Well that’s one possible
Well that’s one possible understanding.
…and despite all positive
…and despite all positive signs with SR13…Campy returns to type…ridiculous over priced trinkets designed for poseurs.
…Let me know when SR13 trickles down to pragmatic affordable quality …IF it ever does.
And, hopefully, that is part
And, hopefully, that is part of the rationale for this groupset – to trickle down, eventually. Meanwhile, there are people with too much money willing to pay the premium. Let them.
Don’t hold your breath.
Don’t hold your breath.