Campagnolo Tremendous Report 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 most costly so far.
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 target had shifted away from race-focused tools knowledgeable by a long time of successful on the highway, although Campag tools remains to be utilized by groups outdoors of the WorldTour.
Campagnolo itself commented on the very fact its future plans would goal the ‘sport luxurious’ class. Tremendous Report WR gave the impression to be a ‘past class’ hyper-expensive groupset with a price ticket I am positive 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 record 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 a energy meter chainset possibility has additionally been launched for the group.
Campagnolo additionally just lately launched a variant of the groupset final month within the type of the Tremendous Report 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 geared up with three of the highest highway bike groupsets this summer time; Shimano Dura-Ace, SRAM Purple AXS and Campag Tremendous Report WR. As such I am handily positioned to check and distinction the top-tier groupsets from the large three. I have been testing Tremendous Report WR for a number of months and am prepared with my full assessment. Does the groupset elevate efficiency to a different place or is the groupset one thing of a miss hit?
Tremendous Report WR has options numerous gorgeous carbon fibre (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Design and Aesthetics
Aesthetics-wise, Tremendous Report WR shares seems and design cues with the wired Tremendous Report EPS groupset that has been available on the market for a number of years already. The Wi-fi (WR) tech did not herald a wholesale design overhaul, and the shifter and chainset shapes as an example are fairly related.
One of many key speaking factors might be the truth that the distinctly formed Campagnolo thumb shifter has gone. As a replacement are two shifter paddles. The thumb shifter has had followers and detractors over time as its design has developed however both manner, 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 distinguished and angular, while the batteries themselves (images beneath) are a 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 numerous varieties for a very long time, actually does look improbable on the brake levers, derailleurs and chainset – which might be probably the most lovely piece of the groupset for me.
Throughout the board, if I am trustworthy, the extent of ending is excellent. The carbon fibre rear derailleur arm and outer entrance mech plate as an example look very unique and undoubtedly contribute to the Tremendous Report aesthetic and picture.
Though the derailleurs themselves are bodily bigger they do mix angular shapes with flowing traces, like the remainder of the groupset. I’ve heard sure Campagnolo package described as ‘jewelry to your bike’ prior to now, and while I would not go that far, up shut in individual the groupset total does have presence.
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The derailleurs are actually bigger than on earlier groupsets (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
LED lights point out battery stage, observe the charging port on the underside proper of the mech (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
When it comes to the groupset design itself, Tremendous Report WR is 12-speed and hasn’t adopted in in style gravel groupset Ekar’s 13-speed footprints. Gearing choices are a 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 need to say a sub 30t cassette on the rear, while going in opposition to the grain of present traits, 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 characteristic single-tooth sprocket measurement increments as much as the seventh sprocket, and after which have a max of three tooth variations so there aren’t any large jumps. I’ve observed shifting down the cassette specifically to be a bit loud although, virtually 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 totally different. On the subject of drivetrains, there’s now a Campagnolo energy hyperlink which I feel can be music to most individuals’s ears. Peening chain pins (manually flattening a sequence pin as soon as put in) and following Campagnolo’s chain set up directions at all times used to make me a bit nervous.
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There’s numerous upward curve to the WR shifters (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
A closeup of the texturing on the brake hoods (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
The shifter paddle cutouts assist finger placement fairly effectively (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
The angle of the lever blade may be very elegant, and your fingers naturally relaxation in opposition to it very effectively (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
I am not eager on this fairly massive hole beneath the shifter physique, and your fingertips naturally creep into it (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
I’ve to admire the ending on the carbon fibre lever blades (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
The brand new My Campy 3.0 app is straightforward to arrange and use. You possibly can perform firmware updates, verify battery ranges and configure which shifter buttons do what, and what number of shifts they make. I carried out a number of firmware updates in minutes and it was simple to do. You possibly can’t make any shifting changes within the app like you possibly can within the Shimano E-Tube app for instance. You will must reference the supplier handbook or Campagnolo YouTube movies for assist there which really feel a bit extra sophisticated than Shimano or SRAM programs and person experiences. I did should re-pair my derailleurs to the shifters when the bike arrived to check and it was simply completed as soon as I had familiarised myself.
There are some factors that make residing with the groupset simple that I like to say. The cutouts and shifter attain alter on the brake levers make tweaking your brake lever attain very simple, one thing SRAM launched on the brand new Purple AXS levers, It was simple to arrange my most popular lever angle. I additionally actually just like the small sliding buttons on the derailleurs you need to use to verify battery life, it’s a helpful contact. The Extremely Torque chainset can also be simply eliminated for upkeep with a 10mm hex key, which is able to little doubt show extra in style than the extra concerned Energy Torque system which requires a puller instrument. General, upon getting familiarised your self with the system changes there aren’t actually any tough specifics to concentrate on.
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You want the serial quantity to pair your groupset which comes on a sticker on the rear mech (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
The app house display screen shows part battery ranges and if updates can be found (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
I ran by 4 updates in just some minutes, very simple to do (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
Shake the bike when prompted to reset and your completed (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
The rear derailleur is futuristic wanting however is a bit cumbersome, the blue rear sticker might be eliminated as soon as your setup within the app, however I’ve stored it in place on my check bike (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Efficiency
Heavy price ticket, and gorgeous ending apart how does Tremendous Report WR carry out? Effectively, total, there is a sense of the groupset being good, however simply not fairly ok 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, if you happen to 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 must respect the choice. The attractive marbled carbon fibre and design options just like the titanium chainset joint which you by no means really 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 highway, all the pieces works simply advantageous, it actually does. However to deal with efficiency it is all only a step behind Dura-Ace and Purple AXS now for my part. And for the value, it may possibly solely be in contrast in opposition to the opposite prime groupsets available on the market.
The brakes are greater than highly effective sufficient and the elegant brake lever shaping is one in all my favorite elements of the groupset, however the braking really feel itself is not as mild and crisp as Purple 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 all the pieces checks out on my check bike.
Shifting once more is okay, it is not fairly as quick and slick as the opposite large two, barely loud on the downshift and the battery would not final as lengthy, although fees are quick. This can be a non-issue for me, simply cost the battery a bit extra commonly and verify the extent utilizing the useful 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.
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Rear derailleur battery on the left and entrance mech on the proper(Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
And from reverse, the latch clips onto the entrance derailleur, a bit like the way in which SRAM batteries do (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
The charger lead is a little more delicate than the Shimano charger cable (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
It makes use of a small, magnetic, pronged head(Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
Shifting is simply totally different to Dura-Ace’s precision or Purple AXS’s smoothness. The texture retains you a bit extra concerned, and there’s virtually 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 need the quickest, lightest shifting potential it most likely will not please you as a lot.
I’ve additionally discovered it tough to gel totally with the form of the Tremendous Report WR shifters. The distinguished upward form and curve they’ve is okay however means if 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 deliver 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 okay and hasn’t prompted main points, however I do not find it irresistible. Ergonomically it would not really feel as effectively thought out as the brand new Purple AXS shifters as an example, though I perceive the shifters are a bit smaller than the Tremendous Report EPS items.
Dwelling with the groupset has been simple. I’ve skilled zero chain drops over a number of months, or some other points with the groupset. It is all carried out precisely because it ought to for me. One factor is for positive, I am further conscious and cautious about how I lean the bike up wherever, scratching the shifters or derailleurs has not been one thing I’ve wished to do. Some form of PPF or protecting heli tape would not be a nasty concept to guard your funding if you happen to’re contemplating buying a groupset.
The brake calipers are most likely probably the most customary wanting elements from the groupset, however do a stable job however (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Worth
I’ve wished to study and embody extra concerning the supplies and manufacturing included within the groupset and the way which will have an effect on the groupset price ticket. A lot has been made about Tremendous Report 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.
For example, the carbon fibre chainset incorporates a titanium axle and the 2 axle halves match collectively utilizing a hirth joint. I might think about a titanium axle and hirth joint aren’t going to be significantly low cost to fabricate en masse, and there are most likely less expensive options however Campagnolo believes it to be the most suitable choice for its groupset and sticks with it.
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The titanium chainset axle and hirth joint; not low cost to fabricate i am prepared to guess.(Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
The NDS crank arm and axle, that is the left hand backside bracket bearing mounted on the crank arm (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
Campagnolo itself mentioned it was committing to the ‘sport luxurious’ class. Wherein case, if a machined titanium chainset axle and superbly completed carbon fibre brake levers are a part of the rationale somebody’s groupset prices a lot, make a track and dance about it. If somebody is blissful to pay, I am positive these sorts of particulars can be lapped up, the identical as they’re in different market segments. As a result of you must admire the dedication to design and the aesthetics.
You probably have the money, wish to purchase into the romance and historical past of Campagnolo, and love the very fact the model has chosen to incorporate design options like a fancy titanium axle you possibly can’t even see, Tremendous Report WR would be the excellent accompaniment to your subsequent superbike construct.
The groupset was fitted to a Pinarello Dogma X check bike – The 2 appeared to go well with one another effectively (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Verdict
I do not dislike Tremendous Report WR, however the on-road efficiency hasn’t blown me away. I discover the aesthetics, ending and sure design selections extra fascinating and thrilling than the efficiency. For me, there are groupsets that supply higher braking, shifting and ergonomics which I’d select over Tremendous Report WR.
My brother’s bike had Campagnolo tools and mine Shimano once we have been youngsters and we would debate the professionals and cons of the programs for hours, as numerous cyclists over time have little doubt completed. To return out from beneath the microscope of an in-depth assessment for a second, we’re blessed today to have digital groupsets on our machines that do not miss a beat. Tremendous Report WR is not the groupset I might select, however we’re spoilt for selection today and that is nice.
This can be a chapter in Campagnolo and Tremendous Report’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 increase efficiency to match the aesthetics. I am excited to see what the long run holds for Campagnolo and Tremendous Report.
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Worth
The costliest bar none, greater than it is rivals and until your a fan, have cash to burn or should have it, there are higher worth choices available on the market. It is nice to have a look at, however does that justify the value tag?
6/10
Weight
Marginally heavier complete claimed weight than Dura-Ace or Purple. However no trigger for concern in any respect, nonetheless a lot aggressive until your counting the final half a gram
8/10
Gearing choices
Compact decrease gearing, which ought to go well with most riders, the ten tooth sprocket provides the next prime gear and bigger chainring sizes at the moment are obtainable for efficiency riders
8/10
Ergonomics
The rubber shifter hoods are comfy, however I discover the form a bit tough, the tall peak makes it laborious to choose a comfortable posistion and to sit down with my fingers on the shifter paddles means transferring my palms backward on the shifters
7/10
Braking
Greater than sufficient energy on faucet, however I personally discover the braking really feel a bit muted, actually no match for Sram Purple AXS, which I think about the benchmark on the highway, carefully adopted by Dura-Ace
7/10
Shift High quality
Good, however not as mild and quick because it’s rivals, there is a extra mechanical, concerned really feel which some followers might love
