Review of the new Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 2×13

Lighter, less expensive than the previous version, and featuring an extra cog, the new Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 2×13 is the first 13-speed wireless electronic road bike groupset on the market. The Italian brand is back in the race against giants Shimano and SRAM and establishes itself not only as a more than credible alternative in terms of options and performance, but it even takes the lead with its number of cogs. We tested this WorldTour-level groupset over several hundred kilometers.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr

Campagnolo remains an iconic brand in the cycling world, having been the undisputed benchmark for drivetrains for nearly fifty years. However, for three decades, the Vicenza-based company has been losing market share to the Japanese giant Shimano, which is omnipresent across all bike segments. The American brand SRAM has also been gaining ground since the mid-2000s, relegating Campagnolo to the rank of third player, sometimes perceived as inaccessible, too expensive, or too luxurious, partly due to almost exclusively European manufacturing. Despite this, Campagnolo has never stopped innovating, being the first brand to introduce 10-speed drivetrains in 2000, 11-speed in 2008, 12-speed in 2018, and 13-speed in 2020 with the Ekar 1x groupset dedicated to gravel.

With the Super Record Wireless 2×13 presented in June, the brand once again establishes itself as a pioneer by offering a double chainring groupset with 13 cogs, a novelty in the road segment. This groupset doesn’t just add an extra cog: it improves in terms of performance, lightness, and ergonomics, while correcting criticisms leveled at its predecessor, the Super Record Wireless 12-speed launched in 2023.

The Super Record 13 is unveiled as a completely redesigned platform, serving as the basis for a new generation of Campagnolo groupsets, with planned variations for gravel and time trial. At a starting price of €4,300 (without power meter) or €5,399 (with power meter), it is also positioned as more affordable than its predecessor, while remaining in the premium segment compared to its competitors Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and SRAM Red AXS, and also presenting itself as slightly lighter.

Lightness, precision, efficiency

Let’s clear up the suspense right away: this new Super Record 2×13 groupset works perfectly, whether it’s the braking, already recognized as very effective on the previous version, or the gear changes, which are fluid, fast, and precise, even under heavy loads.

The hydraulic braking is powerful and modulated, while proving particularly reliable in extreme conditions, such as in heavy thunderstorms or on a fast, steep descent. The feel at the brake lever is firmer than the competition, but it offers better feedback for modulating the force to apply and avoiding wheel lock-up.

Campagnolo aficionados will not be disoriented by the tactile “click” sensation of the rear derailleur, characteristic of the brand, a little more pronounced than the sometimes too smooth feel of Shimano gear changes.

In terms of ergonomics, Campagnolo has reintroduced the thumb lever, with a slightly slimmer grip shape, halfway between Shimano and SRAM. Hand positioning is comfortable and natural, although an adaptation period may be necessary to master the shifting system or the use of the additional button located on the top of the hoods, towards the inside.

Finally, in addition to being aesthetically very successful, with components more compact than on the previous version, still using noble materials like carbon and titanium, and communicating wirelessly with the derailleurs, this new Super Record 2×13 largely rivals the Dura-Ace and Red AXS groupsets in terms of weight. Enough to assemble bikes under 7 kg to play leading roles in the WorldTour.

Summary of weights and prices of the components of the new Campagnolo Super Record 2×13 groupset

2×13 Drivetrain: a new dimension

The heart of the Super Record Wireless 2×13 lies in its 13-cog cassette, a world first for a double chainring road groupset. Far from simply adding a cog, Campagnolo has optimized the gear ratios. The brand offers four cassette options:

• 10-29 (with 10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/20/23/26/29 cogs)
• 10-33 (with 10/11/12/13/14/15/16/18/20/23/26/29/33 cogs)
• 11-32 (with 11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/20/23/26/29/32 cogs)
• 11-36 (with 11/12/13/14/15/16/18/20/23/26/29/32/36 cogs)

These cassette options are combined with seven chainring combination options, a wider offering than the competition:

• 45-29
• 48-32
• 50-34
• 52-36
• 53-39
• 54-39
• 55-39

To simplify inventory management for consumers and retailers, Campagnolo delivers chainrings separately from the crank arms (available in 165, 170, 172.5, and 175 mm). A plus for optimal customization.

The carbon crankset, as always with Campagnolo, is light, stiff, with fluid bearings and aesthetically flawless, even if that remains subjective!

Like Shimano or SRAM, Campagnolo focuses on versatility by increasing the number of cogs to broaden the gear range. For sporty riding on moderately hilly terrain, the 50-34 combination with a 10-29 cassette on the test bike meant we never really used the small chainring. If we had been able to use 53-39 chainrings, like those we usually use, the 10-tooth cog would have been useless with the 10-start cassette, or the 32-tooth cog would never have been used with the 11-start cassette. In short, we believe a 10-25 or an 11-28 cassette is missing to meet our needs, as well as those of many competitors or amateur triathletes.

Important precision: all cogs can be used with the large chainring, with remarkable fluidity and no noise, but on the small chainring, the smallest cog is electronically blocked.

Note: the chain, chainrings, and cassettes are specific to the 13-speed system and not backward compatible with 12-speed components. The groupset uses the N3W freehub body standard, requiring compatible wheels.

Significantly improved ergonomics

Brake/shift levers are always emblematic on a drivetrain groupset, as they are not only aesthetically notable but also play an important role in the comfort and control felt while pedaling. The Ergopower levers of this groupset have been redesigned to match the asymmetry of the hand, increasing the contact surface for more comfort during long rides or intense efforts. They are slightly less massive than the 12-speed models.

One of the most striking changes on these Super Record 2×13 shifters is the return of the thumb button on the lever, an iconic feature of Campagnolo levers absent from the 12-speed model, which had disappointed many purists. Repositioned closer to the lever body and less prominent, this button offers better accessibility, especially with hands on the drops. Behind the brake lever, with curves designed to offer a good grip even with hands on the hoods, there is another lever configured by default to shift up one or more gears on the cassette, or to shift from the small to the large chainring.

Each lever has three configurable buttons via the MyCampy 3.0 application, to customize gear changes or control a bike computer/GPS, thanks to a switch on the top and inner side of the lever. However, with two different users (and two operating systems), connecting to the application sometimes proved laborious, making initial customization complicated. But let’s specify that a recent update has fixed the problem and allowed us to delve a little deeper into all the functions of MyCampy.

In addition to improved ergonomics, these new levers also show progress in terms of finish, with a hollowed-out area just behind the lever under the grip with much softer edges for the index finger than on the previous version of the Super Record.

Wireless system and shifting speed

Like the SRAM Red AXS, the Super Record 2×13 is entirely wireless, with Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity for seamless communication between the Ergopower levers and the front and rear derailleurs. Campagnolo announces a 47% improved shifting speed from top to bottom of the cassette and 36% from bottom to top compared to the Super Record Wireless 12-speed. In practice, the operation is both crisp and fluid, fast and almost silent, at least largely on par with the Dura-Ace and Red AXS benchmarks. Multi-shift changes (MultiShift) are particularly effective, although slightly noisy when shifting quickly from one cog to another. The wireless system also simplifies groupset assembly and is aesthetically clean.

The rear derailleur still benefits from noble materials like carbon and titanium for its construction, which have long been Campagnolo’s reputation. It has been redesigned with a more compact architecture and optimized positioning under the cassette. It uses two 14-tooth derailleur pulleys with specific profiles to minimize friction and optimize chain retention. The upper pulley incorporates ceramic bearings. It is compatible with cogs from 10 to 36 teeth.

The front derailleur, also redesigned, is more compact than the 12-speed version, offering more tire clearance for mounting a rear tire up to 34 mm. It handles 16-tooth differences between chainrings, just like the Shimano Dura-Ace, and integrates an auto-alignment function to prevent chain rub. Here too, the operation is perfect: even under heavy pedaling loads, during accelerations or on a steep climb applying a lot of force to the pedals, chainring changes are crisp, fast, and super clean. It was impossible for us to fault the system (and yet we tried!).

Both derailleurs operate with rechargeable batteries, either on or off the bike, as they are removable. However, they are not interchangeable (SRAM patent).

Reduced battery life

The front and rear derailleurs use separate rechargeable batteries via a magnetic USB-C cable. A full charge offers an average range of 750 km, according to the brand, with a charging time of 60 minutes (90% in 45 minutes). This is a slightly reduced battery life compared to SRAM Red AXS and quite significantly reduced compared to Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, but the latter still uses cables between the main battery and the two derailleurs. In practice, however, we noted a real range quite close to 900 km for the rear derailleur, and much higher for the front derailleur, which was little used due to the gear ratios offered on the test bike.

Battery life actually depends on usage habits and the region one rides in. It’s a shame that the fact that the two batteries are not interchangeable cannot help in case of a breakdown on the road. Between a fully wireless system, fast shifting, weight savings, and battery life, it’s hard to have it all.

As for the levers, they are powered by CR2032 batteries, with an estimated lifespan of 18 to 24 months. LED indicators on the derailleurs allow for easy checking of battery status.

Powerful and modulated braking

The Super Record 3×13 retains the hydraulic disc brake calipers from the previous generation, with 140 and 160 mm rotors. These brakes, already renowned for their power and progressiveness, have only undergone cosmetic modifications.

On the road, their power, progressiveness, and the feel they offer at the levers can convince any cyclist resistant to using disc brakes. Added to this is an almost total absence of noise or rubbing, whether braking in the rain or after very hard braking. This is truly a real benchmark in this area.

Competitive weight

With a weight of 2,439 g (without power meter) by adding the announced mass of all components, the Super Record 13 is the lightest double chainring groupset on the market.

All checks made, we arrive at 2,442 g (verified) for the Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed, and even 2,441 g for the elusive FSA K-Force We 12 Disc! In other words, this trio plays in the same league as the SRAM Red AXS (at 2,461 g verified). The few grams difference can depend on the chosen options (chainring size, crank arm length, rotor size, cassette, or even… brake hose length!).

But what must be remembered is that the new Super Record achieves this performance with a thirteenth cog, thanks to the extensive use of carbon, titanium, and anodized aluminum. In terms of materials, it also adds a “black chrome” finish on the chain and cassette to reduce noise and improve durability.

In short, a real performance, especially since the groupset is offered at a price similar to the competition, which is about €900 less than the previous 12-speed version. And without sacrificing almost exclusive European manufacturing.

A new benchmark 

Beyond its design and finish that evoke Italian elegance, the Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 2×13 is not perfect in every respect, just like its two main competitors. The exclusivity of 13-speed components and the need for an N3W freehub body can complicate upgrades for those who want to adopt the groupset. Among the many gear options offered, a cassette with a very tight gear range is still missing for flatter regions. Similarly, the MyCampy application lacks advanced features for configuration and diagnostics, and the connection with components is not always fluid.

However, the Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 2×13 is rather a success. With its lightness, fast shifting, redesigned ergonomics, and refined aesthetics, it stands out as a top choice for demanding cyclists, whether competitors or enthusiasts. For Campagnolo purists, the return of the thumb lever is a strong argument. For everyone else, the addition of a thirteenth cog is also a factor to consider, especially since it comes with a reduction in the overall weight of the groupset.

While awaiting the gravel and time trial versions promised for autumn 2025, the Super Record 2×13 lays the foundation for a new era for Campagnolo, and establishes itself as a benchmark largely on par with what Shimano and SRAM offer.

Contact: campagnolo.com

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