Campagnolo is an Italian component manufacturer focused on drivetrains and wheels for road, gravel, all-road, triathlon, and track bicycles. It does not attempt to cover mountain bikes, utility cycling, or entry-level equipment. Its strongest position remains the enthusiast and premium-bike market, where riders choose Campagnolo as a complete system rather than as a substitute for an individual Shimano or SRAM component.
The current range combines wireless 13-speed road and gravel groupsets with mechanical options such as Chorus, Ekar, and Ekar GT. Campagnolo also maintains an extensive wheel catalog, including carbon racing wheels, more versatile all-road designs, aluminum options, and track equipment.
A rider might consider Campagnolo for its distinctive control layout, closely spaced gearing, component-level service documentation, and alternatives to the two dominant drivetrain suppliers. The main tradeoff is that Campagnolo parts, tools, freehub bodies, and experienced mechanics are not equally accessible in every market.
What Campagnolo Makes
Campagnolo’s catalog is organized around complete drivetrain platforms and matching wheels.
- Record 13 and Super Record 13: Wireless road groupsets offered in 2×13 and 1×13 configurations, with optional power-meter cranksets.
- All-road and X drivetrains: Record and Super Record variants configured for mixed-surface riding, including clutch-equipped rear derailleurs and wider cassette ranges.
- Chorus and earlier Super Record systems: Selected 12-speed mechanical, hydraulic-disc, rim-brake, and wireless components remain represented in the road catalog.
- Ekar and Ekar GT: Mechanical 1×13 gravel groupsets with multiple cassette and chainring options.
- Road wheels: Carbon and aluminum wheel families including Bora, Hyperon, Shamal, and Zonda, with rim depths and brake formats intended for racing, endurance, and general road use.
- Gravel and all-road wheels: Wider disc-brake wheels such as Bora X and Zonda GT, designed around larger tires and mixed surfaces.
- Track components: Pista cranksets, wheels, hubs, and related equipment for fixed-gear track bicycles.
A Drivetrain You Build Around
Campagnolo works best when treated as an integrated system. Controls, derailleurs, chains, cassettes, cranksets, and freehub bodies are designed around particular speed generations and applications. Installing a Campagnolo rear derailleur on an otherwise Shimano- or SRAM-equipped bicycle is generally not a practical upgrade path.
Current 13-speed cassettes use Campagnolo’s N3W freehub body. N3W can accept several earlier Campagnolo cassette formats with the correct adapter, but converting a wheel from an HG or XDR drivetrain may require a replacement freehub body. Not every hub manufacturer offers one, so wheel compatibility should be established before purchasing a groupset.
The newer Record and Super Record platforms cover road, all-road, and gravel, but their rear derailleurs are not interchangeable across every cassette. The wide-range X cassettes require the corresponding X derailleur, while other configurations use road or Nano Clutch versions. Campagnolo’s detailed configuration charts are more reliable than choosing parts based only on the number of speeds.
Control feel is another meaningful difference. Mechanical Ekar uses Campagnolo’s separate lever functions and a thumb-operated shift control. The newest wireless 13-speed controls also restore a thumb button while adding electronic customization. Some riders find the separate actions easy to identify, while others prefer the two-paddle arrangement used by competing systems. This is one component category worth handling before committing.
What to Know Before Buying
Confirm cassette range, derailleur version, chain, freehub body, crankset, bottom-bracket cups, and brake format as one package. Campagnolo supports numerous frame standards, but the correct QCK-Tech, Pro-Tech, or Ultra-Torque interface depends on the specific crank generation.
Installation is not always difficult, but it is exacting. Some chains, bottom brackets, hydraulic systems, and older components require Campagnolo-specific procedures or tools. The company’s technical manuals and service documents are extensive, though many are written for professional mechanics. Before ordering, confirm that your preferred shop services the relevant generation and can obtain replacement parts.
Wireless systems add removable derailleur batteries, charging equipment, firmware, and app-based configuration. Mechanical Chorus and Ekar avoid derailleur batteries but require careful cable routing and adjustment. Current component prices also place much of the range above ordinary replacement-level equipment.
Campagnolo is best suited to a road or gravel rider who wants a deliberately matched component system and values its ergonomics, gearing choices, and visual identity enough to accept more planning around compatibility and service. Riders prioritizing inexpensive replacement parts, broad original-equipment availability, or support from almost any bicycle shop may find Shimano or SRAM easier to own.
Verified brand information
Campagnolo at a glance
Company, ownership, warranty, and support details collected from official brand sources.
Last reviewed
August 16, 2026
Company
Identity & ownership
- Legal / full name
- Campagnolo S.r.l.
- Founded
- 1933
- Founder(s)
- Tullio Campagnolo
- Headquarters
- Vicenza, Italy
- Operating status
- Active
Ownership support
Warranty, service & dealers
Share support experience- Support region
- US
- Warranty region
- US
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