FELTRE, Italy (BRAIN)—After many whisperings about Campagnolo’s 2009 line, it became official in Italy as Campy will be fitting its 2009 Chorus, Record and the revived Super Record gruppos with 11-speed rear ends.
“Eleven speed was not a design priority,” said Tom Kattus, general manager for Campagnolo NA. “We look at it as the icing on the cake. It really is a nice feature because it allows for closer gear ratios, broader gear ranges and quicker more responsive shifting through the gears. I love having an 18-tooth cog as well.”
To accommodate this new 11-speed format, the chain went from 5.9 millimeters to 5.5 millimeters wide, with reshaped inner and outer plates to improve precision and quickness of each shift.
“We are also using a new metal alloy that’s 20 percent stronger than our previous chains,” Kattus said.
For more on Campy’s 2009 line be sure to read the July 15 issue of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Also be sure to read the Q & A with Campy’s newly appointed GM Tom Kattus in our July 1 issue.
(PHOTO courtesy of Campagnolo.) Campy memorial at Croce d’aune pass.
—Jason Norman
