Campagnolo Tremendous Document WR evaluate: Testing the world’s costliest groupset

Campagnolo Tremendous Document WR launched in the course of the first half of final yr and it appeared a brand new chapter within the legendary Italian producer’s historical past had begun. The groupset is the model’s first-ever totally wi-fi digital providing and can also be its costliest to this point. 

This yr additionally marks the primary yr Campagnolo tools wasn’t fitted to bikes within the top-flight WorldTour for, effectively, a very long time. It appeared that the main focus had shifted away from race-focused tools knowledgeable by a long time of profitable on the street, although Campag tools remains to be utilized by groups exterior of the WorldTour. 

Campagnolo itself commented on the actual fact its future plans would goal the ‘sport luxurious’ class. Tremendous Document WR gave the impression to be a ‘past class’ hyper-expensive groupset with a price ticket I am certain nobody had been totally anticipating. 

Affiliate Editor Josh Croxton attended the groupset launch for Cyclingnews and coated all the main points in his information piece. The checklist value for a groupset then was a hefty £4,499.00 / $5,399.00 / €5,200.00. Although like numerous issues within the bike world, now you can discover it for rather less on-line. For the reason that launch an influence meter chainset choice has additionally been launched for the group.

Campagnolo additionally not too long ago launched a variant of the groupset final month within the type of the Tremendous Document S groupset, which featured a matt black end and a few alternate gearing choices for rather less money. 

I am fortunate sufficient to have examined bikes outfitted with three of the highest street bike groupsets this summer time; Shimano Dura-Ace, SRAM Crimson AXS and Campag Tremendous Document WR. As such I am handily positioned to match and distinction the top-tier groupsets from the large three. I have been testing Tremendous Document WR for a number of months and am prepared with my full evaluate. Does the groupset elevate efficiency to a different place or is the groupset one thing of a miss hit? 

Design and Aesthetics 

Aesthetics-wise, Tremendous Document WR shares seems and design cues with the wired Tremendous Document EPS groupset that has been in the marketplace for just a few years already. The Wi-fi (WR) tech did not herald a wholesale design overhaul, and the shifter and chainset shapes for example are fairly related. 

One of many key speaking factors might be the truth that the distinctly formed Campagnolo thumb shifter has gone. As an alternative are two shifter paddles. The thumb shifter has had followers and detractors over time as its design has developed however both approach, it was synonymous with Campagnolo groupsets. 

Digital groupsets imply batteries, and one other pretty massive change was the WR groupset’s wi-fi batteries and derailleur designs. The entrance and rear derailleurs are fairly outstanding and angular, while the batteries themselves (pictures beneath) are a little bit bigger than SRAM’s wi-fi items.

The groupset options numerous carbon fibre, and the marbled kind end, one thing Campagnolo has produced in several varieties for a very long time, actually does look implausible on the brake levers, derailleurs and chainset – which might be probably the most stunning piece of the groupset for me. 

Throughout the board, if I am sincere, the extent of ending is excellent. The carbon fibre rear derailleur arm and outer entrance mech plate for example look very unique and positively contribute to the Tremendous Document aesthetic and picture. 

Though the derailleurs themselves are bodily bigger they do mix angular shapes with flowing strains, like the remainder of the groupset. I’ve heard sure Campagnolo package described as ‘jewelry in your bike’ up to now, and while I would not go that far, up shut in individual the groupset total does have presence. 

When it comes to the groupset design itself, Tremendous Document WR is 12-speed and hasn’t adopted in in style gravel groupset Ekar’s 13-speed footprints. Gearing choices are a little bit extra compact now too, cassettes can be found in 10-25, 10-27, and 10-29 sizes with Campagnolo adopting the 10-tooth sprocket measurement that first appeared on SRAM cassettes. Up entrance, double chainsets can be found in 34/50, 32/48, and 29/45 sizes. I examined the 32/48 mixture with a 10-29 cassette on the rear. I have to say a sub 30t cassette on the rear, while going towards the grain of present developments, does look neat and compact due to its barely smaller bodily measurement. The arrival of the ‘S’ groupset launched some bigger, extra conventional chainring sizes, maybe for the racers or to fulfill buyer demand. 

Cassettes function single-tooth sprocket measurement increments as much as the seventh sprocket, and after which have a max of three enamel variations so there aren’t any huge jumps. I’ve seen shifting down the cassette specifically to be a little bit loud although, nearly just like the loud shifting sound you used to get on an old-school carbon wheel, which I do not thoughts an excessive amount of, it is simply completely different. On the subject of drivetrains, there’s now a Campagnolo energy hyperlink which I feel will likely be music to most individuals’s ears. Peening chain pins (manually flattening a series pin as soon as put in) and following Campagnolo’s chain set up directions all the time used to make me a little bit nervous.

The brand new My Campy 3.0 app is straightforward to arrange and use. You may perform firmware updates, examine battery ranges and configure which shifter buttons do what, and what number of shifts they make. I carried out just a few firmware updates in minutes and it was straightforward to do. You may’t make any shifting changes within the app like you may within the Shimano E-Tube app for instance. You may have to reference the seller guide or Campagnolo YouTube movies for assist there which really feel a little bit extra sophisticated than Shimano or SRAM methods and consumer experiences. I did should re-pair my derailleurs to the shifters when the bike arrived to check and it was simply achieved as soon as I had familiarised myself.

There are some factors that make residing with the groupset straightforward that I like to say. The cutouts and shifter attain regulate on the brake levers make tweaking your brake lever attain very straightforward, one thing SRAM launched on the brand new Crimson AXS levers, It was straightforward to arrange my most well-liked lever angle. I additionally actually just like the small sliding buttons on the derailleurs you need to use to examine battery life, it’s a helpful contact. The Extremely Torque chainset can also be simply eliminated for upkeep with a 10mm hex key, which can little doubt show extra in style than the extra concerned Energy Torque system which requires a puller software. Total, upon getting familiarised your self with the system changes there aren’t actually any tough specifics to pay attention to.

Efficiency 

Heavy price ticket, and gorgeous ending apart how does Tremendous Document WR carry out? Effectively, total, there is a sense of the groupset being good, however simply not fairly adequate for me in a number of departments. Contemplating the value tag it has although, maybe it is a groupset you could buy for different causes apart from outright efficiency, in case you can afford it in fact. 

The groupset is manufactured in Italy at Campagnolo’s Vicenza HQ, and the choice to maintain manufacturing at house, in-house could also be one level that impacts the ultimate RRP, however you need to respect the choice. The gorgeous marbled carbon fibre and design options just like the titanium chainset joint which you by no means truly see are additionally examples of Campagnolo sticking to its philosophy and historical past of doing what it believes to be the most effective. Do you purchase a groupset like this to purchase into the legendary historical past of Campagnolo and to help its imaginative and prescient? 

Out on the street, every thing works simply wonderful, it actually does. However to give attention to efficiency it is all only a step behind Dura-Ace and Crimson AXS now for my part. And for the value, it might probably solely be in contrast towards the opposite high groupsets in the marketplace.

The brakes are greater than highly effective sufficient and the elegant brake lever shaping is considered one of my favorite components of the groupset, however the braking really feel itself is not as gentle and crisp as Crimson AXS or Dura-Ace and feels a bit muted to me. I’ve so as to add right here that setup performs a component on this, however every thing checks out on my check bike. 

Shifting once more is ok, it isn’t fairly as quick and slick as the opposite huge two, barely loud on the downshift and the battery would not final as lengthy, although costs are quick. It is a non-issue for me, simply cost the battery a little bit extra repeatedly and examine the extent utilizing the helpful LEDs. 

Downshifts are louder, particularly at first as you get used to the sound. The noise comes from the chain transferring down the cassette and the noise from the supplies used, freehub materials, and sprocket spacer materials I feel. It jogs my memory of old-school tubular wheels and the noise banging the chain down by the sprockets would make.

Shifting is simply completely different to Dura-Ace’s precision or Crimson AXS’s smoothness. The texture retains you a bit extra concerned, and there’s nearly a little bit of a mechanical really feel there. A part of me suspects dyed-in-the-wool Campagnolo followers will find it irresistible, however if you’d like the quickest, lightest shifting doable it most likely will not please you as a lot.

I’ve additionally discovered it troublesome to gel totally with the form of the Tremendous Document WR shifters. The outstanding upward form and curve they’ve is ok however means whenever you hunker down on the hoods in a extra aero place your palms find yourself larger within the air otherwise you attempt to change bar roll or shifter place to accommodate it. On an built-in one-piece bar, I discovered this tough to get proper. I additionally should convey my palms again barely on the hoods to sit down with my fingers naturally resting on the shifter paddles, not totally engaged with the shifters. The form is ok and hasn’t triggered main points, however I do not find it irresistible. Ergonomically it would not really feel as effectively thought out as the brand new Crimson AXS shifters for example, though I perceive the shifters are a little bit smaller than the Tremendous Document EPS items.

Residing with the groupset has been straightforward. I’ve skilled zero chain drops over a number of months, or another points with the groupset. It is all carried out precisely because it ought to for me. One factor is for certain, I am additional conscious and cautious about how I lean the bike up wherever, scratching the shifters or derailleurs has not been one thing I’ve needed to do. Some form of PPF or protecting heli tape would not be a nasty concept to guard your funding in case you’re contemplating buying a groupset.

Worth 

I’ve needed to be taught and embody extra in regards to the supplies and manufacturing included within the groupset and the way that will have an effect on the groupset price ticket. A lot has been made about Tremendous Document WR’s excessive retail value, and I did not wish to let that subconsciously have an effect on issues. 

For starters, as talked about the groupset is manufactured in Italy on the model’s headquarters, one thing which can contribute to the ultimate RRP, however one Campagnolo believes maintains high quality.

As an illustration, the carbon fibre chainset incorporates a titanium axle and the 2 axle halves match collectively utilizing a hirth joint. I would think about a titanium axle and hirth joint will not be going to be significantly low cost to fabricate en masse, and there are most likely more cost effective options however Campagnolo believes it to be the best choice for its groupset and sticks with it. 

Campagnolo itself mentioned it was committing to the ‘sport luxurious’ class. By which case, if a machined titanium chainset axle and fantastically completed carbon fibre brake levers are a part of the explanation somebody’s groupset prices a lot, make a track and dance about it. If somebody is completely satisfied to pay, I am certain these sorts of particulars can be lapped up, the identical as they’re in different market segments. As a result of you need to admire the dedication to design and the aesthetics. 

If in case you have the money, wish to purchase into the romance and historical past of Campagnolo, and love the actual fact the model has chosen to incorporate design options like a posh titanium axle you may’t even see, Tremendous Document WR could be the good accompaniment to your subsequent superbike construct.

Verdict 

I do not dislike Tremendous Document WR, however the on-road efficiency hasn’t blown me away. I discover the aesthetics, ending and sure design decisions extra attention-grabbing and thrilling than the efficiency. For me, there are groupsets that provide higher braking, shifting and ergonomics which I might select over Tremendous Document WR.

My brother’s bike had Campagnolo tools and mine Shimano after we have been children and we would debate the professionals and cons of the methods for hours, as numerous cyclists over time have little doubt achieved. To come back out from below the microscope of an in-depth evaluate for a second, we’re blessed lately to have digital groupsets on our machines that do not miss a beat. Tremendous Document WR is not the groupset I would select, however we’re spoilt for selection lately and that is nice.

It is a chapter in Campagnolo and Tremendous Document’s historical past, to not point out the corporate’s first totally wi-fi digital groupset. It might effectively be one thing of a transitional groupset for the model. What follows sooner or later might construct on this new wi-fi platform and supply additional refinement, which might maybe enhance efficiency to match the aesthetics. I am excited to see what the longer term holds for Campagnolo and Tremendous Document.