Campagnolo (Italy) – Campagnolo is pleased to introduce the latest addition to its line-up of finely made mechanical groupsets and this newest entry goes by the name of CENTAUR. While attentive fans of the Italian brand are sure to note that this is not a new name but rather one that has graced the catalog in the past. The newest version takes a huge leap forward and represents even greater value and performance than any preceding version ever made. The trickle-down effect of top end groupset technology certainly benefitted the Potenza groupset but has added an extra element of not only value but race-ready performance on a groupset within reach of nearly every cyclist to make Centaur an asset to any frame. An aluminum groupset with performance that punches far out of its weight class, the newest version of Centaur aims to compete directly with competitor’s most accessible offerings. The Centaur project saw its central aim at offering an accessible groupset without offering entry level performance or features. Plenty of higher tier characteristics have been incorporated into this alloy mechanical groupset such as the innovative 4-arm spider design that trickles down all the way from the Super Record version to allow for an independent BCD (increased rigidity and structural integrity) in addition to a universal crankset made to accept all chainring combinations. Add to this the first aluminum crankset with an ULTRA-TORQUE axle and you have a component that mimics very closely the very same crankset that is found at the pinnacle of the range.



The Ergopower commands also offer the same industry leading ergonomics found upon even professional riders’ bikes, guaranteeing a safe and secure grip in all conditions along with the comfort for even the longest day in the saddle. 1 lever 1 action style commands remain and PowerShift internals guarantee precise and lightning fast shifting even under load. The PowerShift movement allows for the incorporation of an EPS style downshifting lever, offering heightened ergonomics while putting the rider in perfect control of his or her transmission no matter the situation. This precise shifting and derailing comes as much from the meticulously designed ergopower commands as it does from the Centaur’s front derailleur, which adopts its design and mechanical function from the original Revolution 11 + front derailleur developed initially for professionals. The ergopower internals couple with the longer rod and one-piece steel cage to ensure precise and reliable shifting with minimal effort required to upshift from internal ring to external. The rear derailleur guarantees fantastic shifting and offers a great deal of versatility as well thanks to a new trajectory angle. The movement of the new Centaur rear derailleur was studied in order to render it compatible with all cassette options up to 32 teeth and allows Centaur to meet every cyclist’s needs with one single model where its competition must offer two…and it does so while weighing 15grams less than the long cage version of its competitor. The “Campagnolo 11” chain offers an extremely durable solution to complete the drivetrain and has been developed to ensure smooth and precise chainring and cassette engagement. Cassettes for the new groupset will come in the form of the same “Campagnolo 11” cassettes that were introduced along with the Potenza 11 transmission but with a Centaur specific finish and are compatible with the entire line of Campagnolo transmissions. While all of the aforementioned components deal with speeding up the race-minded cyclist he or she will be happy to know that the Centaur groupset includes fantastic control in the form of a pair of newly designed brakes that weigh in at nearly 50 grams less than the competing version of the same level.



The challenge for the Campy Tech Lab engineers was not only how to insert such a great deal of technology and performance into an accessible package but also how to do it while still keeping weight at a minimum. Tipping the scales at a highly respectable 2471grams, the complete Centaur groupset comes in nearly 30 grams lighter than its closest competitor. (depending on the selected specs it can weigh in as much as 50 g lighter).



The Centaur name has its origins in Greek Mythology and the most common theory holds that many non-riding cultures first impressions to nomads who were mounted on horses appeared as half-men, half-animal. While the Campagnolo version is perhaps less mythical it does seek to unify rider and machine and allow them to travel as one, as a single, functional, beautiful and unique unit. The sleek new groupset from Campagnolo is available in a dark colorway in addition to a polished silver version guaranteeing a performance solution that ties in aesthetically with any frame, no matter the finish or material. To carry the Campagnolo name a groupset must undergo severe testing and perform above and beyond the standards required by most. The newest Campagnolo mechanical groupset is no different as it proudly carries forward the tradition of improving the cycling experience that begun more than 80 years ago in Vicenza.