Gear Break: Mayday – Campagnolo Record 13, PNS Escapism SS26, Hutchinson Gravel Range, Santini x Eroica, Fizik TONES, Felt Breed

Campagnolo has unveiled its new Record 13 groupset, marking a significant step in making wireless 13-speed technology more accessible to a wider range of cyclists. Building on the pioneering Super Record 13 platform, Record 13 maintains the same high-performance architecture, geometry, and shifting speed, but introduces more affordable materials and finishes. This approach allows Campagnolo to offer a competitive product without compromising the quality and precision that define its top-tier drivetrains. The groupset is available in five configurations tailored to road, gravel, and all-road disciplines, demonstrating Campagnolo’s commitment to versatility across modern cycling styles. The new Record 13 platform includes variants such as 2x13 road, 1x13 gravel, and all-road options, each engineered with features like the Nano Clutch rear derailleur for enhanced chain retention and compatibility with cassettes up to 48 teeth. The drivetrain benefits from refined components including carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide derailleurs with redesigned steel cages, and stainless steel bearing pulleys to ensure durability and quiet operation. The cassettes maintain the closely spaced gear progression developed for 13-speed systems, offering smooth cadence transitions and compatibility with existing Super Record 13 cassettes, further broadening the appeal to riders seeking performance and reliability. Manufactured entirely in Italy, Campagnolo emphasises the strategic importance of in-house production to maintain rigorous quality control while enabling competitive pricing. The company’s product and marketing team highlights that Record 13 is not a compromise but a deliberate engineering choice designed to extend the benefits of its flagship groupset to more cyclists. By sharing the same kinematics and electronic integration as Super Record 13, Record 13 promises the same fast and precise shifting, braking control, and build quality, reinforcing Campagnolo’s position at the forefront of drivetrain technology. This launch reflects broader trends in cycling where high-performance standards traditionally reserved for elite road racing are increasingly influencing gravel and off-road disciplines. Alongside the groupset announcement, other innovations such as Felt’s ultra-light Breed frame and Hutchinson’s Touareg Race tyres underline a shift towards lighter, more aerodynamic equipment in gravel racing. Campagnolo’s expansion of its wireless 13-speed platform signals a future where advanced drivetrain technology becomes the norm across diverse cycling environments, catering to riders who demand both cutting-edge performance and versatility.