Campagnolo Frequently Asked Questions and Knowledgebase

The best source of information about your Campagnolo product is your qualified and accredited Campagnolo ProShop. The is a listing at www.campagnolo.com under "Shops".

On this page are some questions that we are frequently asked with regard to Campagnolo in general and to technical issues. They are linked from the general headers below, in rough order of frequency.

Please check these before sending us an email or calling us:

Last updated:
25.09.23 at 12.30h GMT

Please note - we have added some key updates but if in doubt, for model year 2018 through 2021 information, please contact us at Velotech Cycling Ltd or, if outside the UK, refer to your local branch or to Campagnolo Italy.

Super Record and Record 12 speed and 2018 Centaur 11, Potenza H11 and Chorus, Record and Super Record HO mechanical and HO EPS groupsets have important differences and specific areas of compatibility that bicycle assemblers and after-market customers need to be aware of.

Many - but not all - of these key differences are dealt with in the FAQ below.

Remember - incorrect assembly will invalidate any warranty so it is important to seek advice before commencing an assembly with these parts.

Please note this list is not exhaustive, it covers the most frequently used abbreviations.

• AFS :: Axial Fixing System - retains Campagnolo and Fulcrum rotors onto their mountings.
• AT :: Athena. May be 8, 9 or 11s, usually written AT8, AT9 or AT11, respectively
• BB :: Bottom bracket
• BR :: Brakes. Usually used as a spoare parts or model year(MY) abbreviation, i.e. BR15- is a MY2015 brake
• CA :: Can be Cassette or Campagnolo. Depends on context. Generally, Campagnolo don't abbreviate their own name in this way - usually the short form used is "Campy" or "Campa" because a hard "g" at the end of a word is not easy in Italian. "Campag" tends to be the UK abbreviation."CA" used to mean "Campagnolo" is most often used in part numbers i.e. BR-CA500
• CE :: Centaur. May be 9, 10 or 11s, abbreviaton by speed as AT, i.e. CE10 denotes Centaur 10s
• CH :: Chorus. May be 9, 10, 11 or 12s, abbreviaton by speed as AT
• Command :: Frequently used in Campagnolo literature to mean combined shift and brake lever
• CN :: Campagnolo's normal abbreviation for chain
• DA :: Daytona. A 9s group, was developed into CE10
• DB :: Disc Brake
• EK :: Ekar 1x13s
• EP :: Ergopower
• EPS :: Electronic Power Shift
• FC :: Crankset complete with chainrings
• IF :: Interface, a component in the EPS system. One of the two parts that carries active firmware
• FD :: Front derailleur
• FH :: "Freehub" although more correctly in Campagnolo's case, it should be considered a cassette body
• MI :: Mirage. May be 8, 9 or 10s
• MY :: Model Year. The year of design, not necessarily the year of manufacture. Does not always exactly follow the actual year of introduction (i.e EK is a MY21 product but launch was in Sept 20)
• N3W :: The new-for-2021 format cassette body, allowing compatibility with Ekar 13s cassettes, some 10s, all 11 and 12s cassettes (when used with an adapter), plus XDR and Microspline.
• PO :: Potenza
• PS :: PowerShift
• PT :: PowerTorque
• PU :: Power Unit, a component in the EPS system. One of the two parts that carries active firmware
• RD :: Rear derailleur
• RE :: Record. May be 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12s, abbreviaton by speed as AT
• SR :: Super Record. May refer to older systems pre 1992, or to 11 or 12s, abbreviaton by speed as AT
• ST :: Stratos. 8s group
• US :: UltraShift
• UT :: UltraTorque
• VE :: Veloce. May be 8, 9 or 10s.
• WRL :: Wireless. Pertains to 2023/24 12s Wireless EPS components.
• X :: Often used in part numbers to indicate Shimano / SRAM compatibility, i.e. BR-BO500X
• X1 :: Often used to indicate Shimano / SRAM 11s compatibility. i.e. FH-BO015X1
• XE :: Xenon. May be 8, 9 or 10s

Generally the age of a Campagnolo product is not the question at issue. More specifically, the Model Year (MY) is the key question, say, if one is searching for spare parts.

If you need to define age more precisely, typically it will be for warranty purposes - in those cases, warranty is from the date of retail sale and a copy of an original retail sales receipt is required, to support a warranty claim, so this tends to take care of itself.

MY is captured in serveral places.

• On the product's original box. Product destined for the aftermarket (AM) has always been boxed and the label on the box will carry a code, so that RD7-CEXS for instance, is a MY2007 Centaur RD, 10s, in silver. This is known as the Consumer code.
  Also captured on the box label are two other codes - a seven-digit Industrial Code and a 10 didgit Serial Number. The Industrial Code is Campagnolo's internal code for that product in that MY and it also encodes some other version information that is not usually key in defining spare parts but may be of importance internally at the factory. The serial number is unique to that particular unit.
• Wheels from MY prior to 2008 carry a long yellow decal, usually on the inside of the well of the rim, generally near the valve hole. The first digit gives the MY.
• After 2008, Campagnolo started to use a small decal on most components, approx 15 x 7mm, with a QR code on the right-hand side and three (occasionally two) lines of code on the left. The QR code encapsulates the data in the three (two) lines to the left. The three lines are, respectively, Industrial code, Consumer code and Serial number. Occasionally the consumer code is missing. In these cases please contact your local SC and ask them to track down the Industrial Code. Sometimes this can be done immediately, sometimes it may need reference back to the factory.

Q: What is the proper Campagnolo Warranty Procedure?

A: The correct procedure depends on who you are, and how you came to own your Campagnolo parts. If you:

• Are an end-user ... In the first instance you should consult your dealer to ensure that they are of the opinion that a warranty case may exist. We are often in the position that we can't see the component assembled onto the bike, so we rely to some extent on the retailer being able to see evidence of mis-adjustment, poor installation or misuse. Normally, the dealer will then follow the proceedure below, for retailers. As an alternative, you can return parts to us at Velotech Cycling Ltd direct, by recorded or registered post. The part needs to be accompanied by a valid proof of purchase of less than 3 years' age (or 4 years in the case of a registered 11 speed part, 3 years if it is unregistered) and a description of the fault, plus a fully completed warranty claim form including contact details so that we can contact you to acknowledge receipt and give you a schedule for return.
• Are a retailer ... if the part is aftermarket, the part needs to go back to the supplying wholesaler, following their returns proceedure, and with a valid proof of purchase and warranty claim form as set out above. They will either warranty it themselves, or will refer it to us, or very, very occasionally, Campagnolo in Italy.
  If the part is OEM, it can come straight back to us, but again we must have a valid proof of purchase and the warranty claim form mentioned above.
• Are an OEM ... please return the part to us as if you were an end user.

Please note:

• We will only process parts for warranty if we have a valid proof of purchase or copy of the same. No PoP = no warranty. This is not our rule, but Campagnolo's. Without it, we don't get paid, so won't do the work.
• We ask for parts to be sent recorded or registered post or carrier because we have had cases where parts sent us have not arrived. If parts are not sent by trackable, signed-for carriage, we will not accept any liability for their loss in transit. For the same reason, this is the only way we will usually return parts, unless otherwise requested in writing, or unless a return by hand is arranged.

Q: What is the proper Campagnolo Warranty Procedure for parts bought abroad?

A: The Campagnolo warranty allows that a part that may be subject to a Warranty claim can be examined for warranty and repaired / replaced in the country where the owner is resident - so an item bought mail order by, say, an Australian customer from a UK retailer can be dealt with under warranty in Australia.

Q: Who is authorised to work on Campagnolo parts within their warranty period?

A: With the exception of some wear-and-tear related parts (brake blocks, cassettes and chains), all repair operations that might be required during the warranty life of a Campagnolo should in the first instance be referred to a ProShop. In general, if the problem is occasioned by crash damage, the warranty on the component will be void in any case, so the ProShop will proceed with normal repair operations on a chargeable basis. ProShops have had routine wear-and-tear operations identified to them and should refer anything that extends beyond that, to one of Campagnolo's Service Centres. If in doubt, we strongly suggest that end-users contact the Service Centres before asking even a ProShop to engage on service operations before the expiry of warranty.

Q: I am having real problems getting my Ergopower index to work.

A: (updated 28.12.2020, 21.12h GMT)) In many cases we find that this problem is quite easily resolved. Ergopower is easy to set up provided that you follow the basic rules that are as true for every other index system as they are for Campagnolo Ergopower :

• Ensure compatibility of your frame (generally a good idea prior to purchase) by checking Campagnolo's Technical Manual - you can download it from the Documentation section under "Support" on the Campagnolo website - there are filters on the left hand side of the page to help you identify the document that you need. You can also obtain it from Velotech Cycling Ltd, or ask your Campagnolo ProShop for information.
• Ensure that the hanger fixing bolt is adequately tight. The rear gear hanger must also be accurately aligned - even new hangers can be considerably "out". This is generally a job for your Campagnolo ProShop or other competent, suitably-equipped and trained dealer.
• Make sure that all the parts that you have are compatible with each other - contrary to popular belief, not all Campagnolo 10 speed parts will work with each other, not all Campagnolo 9 speed parts will work with each other, and although the 9 and the 10 speed rear gears are mechanically similar, they are not fully interchangeable. One key difference is the width of the jockey wheels in some versions - checking the width can be done easily & quickly with a vernier and appropriate spares can be ordered from us ...
• Make sure that chain length is correct and that you are using an appropriate front and rear gear for the range of gears that you are trying to fit.
• Only use genuine Campagnolo inners and outers with Ergopower or other Campagnolo index levers. Other manufacturer's products may not work correctly as they may have different specifications for compressibility, elongation, etc. and may have different nipple sizes to Campagnolo.
• Make sure that if you are fitting new cables, you have trimmed from the end with the Campagnolo logos and without the fixed end ferrule fitted (where it is present) - the cables are pre-lubricated in the "blank" end and won't require further lubrication for many months in normal conditions. We generally advise that the factory-trimmed end of the gear or brake cable should be fitted into the lever.
• Once the cables are trimmed, check to ensure that they are cut at 90 degrees across the cable, and that you have returned them to a round external profile, and that the inners move cleanly and with minimal friction through the outers.
• In general it is not necessary to trim the short length of gear outer that fits between the frame and rear gear.
• Where cables, gear or brake are trimmed, ensure that adequate length remains for smooth cable paths and no impediment to steering.
• Make sure that the low-friction cable guides under the bottom bracket are Campagnolo items, and that they are firmly attached to the frame, and conform accurately to the shape of the bottom bracket shell.
• Follow the set-up as described in the instructions or on the Campagnolo website exactly - don't skip stages.

Q: I have hear the parts of my Campagnolo ErgoPower lever referred to as "lever 1" or lever 2" etc - which is which?

A: Lever 1 is the brake lever, lever 2 is the lever immediately behind the brake lever and lever 3 is the lever actuated by the thumb. Lever 2, as it is actuated, recovers cable into the lever body - so it moves, in the case of the left lever, the front mech towards the right, or from small chainring to big ("low" gears to "high" gears), or in the case of the rear dearilleur, the "high" gears to the "low". Lever 3 does the reverse.

Q: Can I convert a 10sp lever to an 11sp?

A: Yes and no - all the 2009/10/11 UltraShift levers, 10 and 11 speed, have a totally new design of internal that bears no real relation to the previous versions. We can, however, place UltraShift 10 speed internals into Ultrashift 11 speed levers - so customers who have 10 speed Record and Chorus, systems, for example, who wish to upgrade to the new-shape lever but don't want to upgrade the full transmission to 11 speed, can do so. It therefore follows that we "could" put 11 speed internals into the Centaur UltraShift Alloy 10 speed lever for those who want an 11 speed system but prefer, say, alloy to Carbon brake levers.

Q: Can I convert an 9sp Ergolever to 10sp?

A: Depending on the model, this can often be done. Version 1 Ergopower levers, identified by the "pointy" style hoods (EC-RE500) from model years 1997, 98 and 99 can usually be converted, but only by re-machining some of the internal parts. Whilst it is possible, it is also costly. We generally need to see the levers to be sure as there were a number of running changes to the internal design at this time. Version 2 levers from 1999 onwards, specifically Record and Chorus 1999 - 2008, Daytona / Centaur, Veloce, Mirage 1999 - 2005 all share enough internal similarities to allow conversions between 9 and 10 speed. We can undertake this work, at £27.50 - £45.00 (in the case of Version 1 levers) inc VAT per lever plus parts (normally about £35.00 at the time of writing for 9 to 10 speed, 8 to 9 or 10 speed, POA).

Q: Can you "pimp my levers"?

A: Depending on the model, we can often change inner lever blades, brake lever blades, P spring carriers, handlebar clamp bolts and some of the internals to make levers lighter or more durable. In the 'cross season, we are often asked to change the composite inner lever for alloy - see the notes below in the FAQs for some points where that operation is concerned.

Q: How do I quickly remove a lever to send it to you guys?

You can get the lever off without disturbing the bar tape, you'll be pleased to know!

Clip off the brake and gear cable end tidies so that you have a clean cut on the end of the cables.
It's quite important that you get a good clean cut so that when you draw the cables back through their outers, any ragged end doesn't damage the sleeves inside the outer cables.

Put the bike into the smallest chainring so that there is minimum tension on the LH gear cable.
Undo the cable pinch bolt to release the gear cable. If the pinch bolt has flattened the cable, you might want to cut off the damaged part, again to prevent abrasion inside the gear outers. In this case you will need a new gear cable when you re-instal of course.

Likewise, release the cable pinch bolt at the rear brake. The same concerns apply on the rear brake inner as for the gear.

Roll the Ergopower hood back towards the front of the lever and either use the square end of a 5 mm allen key or a T25 Torx key (depending on the model of lever) to undo the bolt that faces forwards, about 1/3 of the way towards the front of the lever, on the outside. It's difficult to access with the short, straight end of a normal allen key or with a Torx multi tool. In these cases we suggest using a long t-handle type. If you have an allen-key type fixing and your a/k has a ball-end for getting in at an angle, don't be tempted to use it - the bolt will probably be tight enough that using the ball end will round the inside of the bolt out. If you undo the bolt all the way, you can then gently rock the lever from side to side to work it free of the 'bar tape, pulling it free with the gear and brake inner cables still installed.

Q: I've heard that there were some early issues with UltraShift 10 and 11s. Is this true?

A: Yes. The things that it is advisable to check are:

• That with 10s you have a compatible rear derailleur. Derailleurs designed to work with the "Escape" type shifters (Xenon, Mirage 2006 - present, Veloce, Centaur 2006-2008) may not work correctly. In some cases they are fine, in other cases it will be possible to get good indexing in one direction, but not in the other.
• Make sure that you are using genuine Campagnolo gear cables of the type recommended for your shift lever - there is a difference between in the outer cable diameter for UltraShift and earlier cable sets.
• Some earlier versions of the UltraShift lever had internal differences which in service can give shifting issues. If you detach the lever from the handlebar and look at it from the back, if the cable bush (the disc that the gear cable is threaded through at the lever end) is off-white, you may have an early production lever. in this case, and if the lever is not shifting accurately, please email us at velotechcycling"at"aim"dot"com for further advice.
• Some detail changes have been made to the return spring on the rear derailleur, as some frames have cable routing that generates a higher-than-normal friction in the rear gear cable. If cables are routed through the handlebars, or have to follow particularly tight curves, you may benefit from a more recent rear derailleur. In the vast majority of installations, this is not a problem.

Q: I am having trouble removing a Campagnolo PowerTorque chainset. What are the correct tools for the job & do you have any tips to make it easier?.

A: You will need a Facom U.301 two legged puller and Campagnolo part numbers UT-FC090 and UT-FC095. The Facom puller has a device the holds the two claws of the puller tight into the back of the crank as force is applied to the plunger. Other two legged pullers do not normally have this facility and so can easily slip off the crank.

Undo the crank bolt witha 14mm socket, and remove the thin washer from inside the crank. Fit UT-FC090 plus into the end of the spindle. Fit UT-FC095 shield around the back of the crank and use the puller as normal. You may find it useful to pad between the inside edges of the puller arms and the edges of the crank arm with a soft cloth, but the puller shield FC-UT095 behind the crank is all that is needed in that area in most cases.

For alloy cranks only we have found VAR tool PE13200 works very well.

Contact us at Velotech for supply of any of the above-named items.

Q: I have a composite-type upshift lever on my left-hand 9 or 10s Ergopower / downshift lever on my right-hand Ergopower ... can I change these for alloy items? I have had failures of the composite items.

A: These levers can be changed for alloy parts. If you have a repeat failure of this lever, the things that it is advisable to check before asking us to change this part (or doing it yourself) are:

• That you have fully compatible parts in the transmission - there are differences in some areas such as chainring spacing and derailleur "throw" per amount of cable recovered which mean that for correct operation, compatible parts from within the Campagnolo range muct be selected.
• Bear in mind that Campagnolo do not recommend the use of any third party parts in conjunction with their products - this extend to chainrings, cassettes and chains, regardless of what the third party manufacturer may claim with regard to compatibility.
• All your cable runs are smooth and not prone to the cable sticking - this is particularly a problem with left-hand levers and front derailleurs, often on winter bikes / training bikes / commuting bikes where the front gear can seize, or cables become corroded due to lack of regular cleaning combined with damp, road salt and in some cases we have seen, solidified enerrgy drink!. Lever failure can often be traced to too much force needing to be applied due to corrosion / "stickiness" issues.
• Make sure that your derailleurs are fully and correctly adjusted - failure of the inner lever is often attributable to repeated, over-violent shifts to get the chain up from the smallest chairing to the biggest, or up onto the biggest sprocket at the rear.
• Once the metal lever is in place, bear in mind that this can cause a knock-on effect in the "Escape" type shifters - Xenon, Mirage, Veloce & Centaur "QS", model year 2006 on. The problem can also affect you with a composite inner lever - that is that repeated, overly strong up-or down-shifts with either lever strain the pivots inside the lever body that the "Escape" mechanism revolves around, and can lead to the chain failing to stay on the big chainring / larger sprockets at the rear, or shifting all the way to top gear at the rear from the bigger sprockets when only a 1 gear shift is required. The fix for this is a complete Ergopower shifter body.
• An occasional problem that leads to inner lever failure in Chorus and Record 10s levers is that the thumb-lever jams in engagement with the ratchet that it drives - usually due to corrosion of the pivot - keep this area clean of sweat (a common problem on bikes used a lot on turbo trainers) and lubricate with a drop of Weldtite TF2 or similar thin teflon lubricant on a regualr basis. When re-taping the handlebars, pay attention to not allowing the tape, or the hood when refitted, to foul the action of the thumb lever. Jamming the thumb lever in engagement with the ratchet will stop the inner lever from being able to turn the mechanism inside the lever and so will overstrain the inner lever.

Once you have checked the above, we can change the inner levers for a silver alloy replacement for as long as these are available from Campagnolo.

Please contact us for a quote as prices and availability do vary from time to time.

Q: What do we mean when we speak about "Compatibility"?

A: This is a vexed question.

Campagnolo make recommendations that are based on a number of factors when they speak about compatibility. One key point, though, is that combinations that are not recommended (which include any third party part unless specifically recommended by Campagnolo) may void all functional and mechanical warranty.

Hence, however unlikely it is that a warranty claim might need to be made, in cases where it is, if any parts have been used in a way that Campagnolo do not recommend - or in combination with third party parts which have not been authorised for use - there is a possibility that the Campagnolo Service Centre in the market may refuse to entertain a claim under the warranty. See the Campagnolo Limited Warranty, a copy of which is provided with every Campagnolo component sold and also available online at the Campagnolo website.

That provision clarified, compatibility within the Campagnolo range is based on:

• The combinations of components that have been tested during the R and D phase at Campagnolo in the Campy Tech Lab, by test-riders and by the teams that Campagnolo sponsors in the field.
• In order to pass the above compatibility tests, Campagnolo examine several areas. Amongst these are:
  
  • Do the components work together in a fashion by which overall safety is not compromised?
  • When components are used with each other, is the function within the parameters Campagnolo set, for example, does shifting take place correctly within the range of applied torques that is expected?
  • Are the above conditions met when the components are subject to normal wear and tear, having been serviced according to Campagnolo's guidelines?
  • Are the above conditions met when the components are assembled to a frame / wheelset that conforms to Campagnolo's general specification as published in the Campagnolo Technical manual for the model year (MY) concerned?
  • Are the above conditions met when the components are assembled with average professional care and skill?
• Where third party components are specifically recommended, Campagnolo have entered into a close technical relationship with that vendor / those vendors and issues such as dimensional tolerance or materials incompatibility have been discussed and normalised. This is not the case where a third party claims "compatibility" but Campagnolo have not made a recommendation.

Q: Can I use a Centaur 11s rear derailleur with any other groupset components? (Edited 25.09.23)

A: The Centaur RD is designed to work with cassettes 11s 11-29, 12-29, 12-32, 11-32 and any Campagnolo 11s chain.

The geometry of the Centaur 11 RD means that it does not work well with narrower-range cassettes on all framesa and so, use with 11-27, 12-27, 11-25, 12-25 and 11-23 cassettes is not advised.

The Centaur 11 RD requires a Centaur 11 RH lever to work correctly. In cases where the Centaur 11 RD is being used to substitute for a damaged RD that can't be replaced like-for-like from other Campagnolo 11s rim-brake groups, a new RH lever body EC-CE600 can be used with the existing brake lever blade, rubber hood and fixing clip.

Centaur 11 RDs are not compatible with H11 Ergopower levers for hydraulic disc brake. In this case, the medium cage Chorus HO RD is the compatible "new" option (still available at 25.09.23).

Q: Can I use a Potenza 11-32 Cassette with my existing, pre-2018 Potenza groupsets?

A: Yes, providing that a Model Year 2018 -> "HO" Medium cage rear derailleur is used. We do not recommend that a medium cage is grafted onto earlier Embrace type RDs as the additional leverage that a medium cage can exert over the derailleur body has been taken into account on the HO design but was not a feature of the earlier derailleur's design.

On a compact crankset 50-34, there is insufficient chain wrap in the standard short cage RDs (including Potenza) to allow enough chain for a 50 x 32 combination whilst having a correctly tensioned chain available on the 34 x 11 or 34 x 12 combinations. Any of these gears could be selected in error (these extreme crossover ratios, we'd advise avoiding but the should work "just in case") and damage to the bicycle in the case of a too-short chain will certainly result and is also very likely to result in a scenario where the chain is cropped longer than recommended.

Q: Can I use a Potenza medium cage rear derailleur with my existing, non-Potenza groupsets?

A: We do not recommend this. The Potenza RDs, short and medium cage, are designed specifically to work with the Potenza PowerShift lever.

• With an Athena lever (also PowerShift) the cable recovery of both the left and the right lever is incorrect to work with the Potenza front and rear derailleurs.
• The Potenza rear derailleur return spring, that drives the rear derailleur towards the smallest sprocket, has a lower tension that that used in Chorus, Record or Super Record rear derailleurs. These derailleurs use part of the available spring tension to help drive the shift mechanism in the lever - hence, in the same way that an Athena pre-2015 rear gear should not be mated to a Chorus, Record or Super Record "Revolution 11" type lever set, a Potenza rear derailleur should not be mated to a post 2015 Chorus, Record or Super Record "Revolution 11+" type lever set.
• It is worth noting under this general heading that the front derailleurs are cross-compatible insofar as a Potenza front derailleur can be mated to a Chorus, Record or Super Record "Revolution 11+" type lever, but not their predecessors.

Incorrect derailleur / lever combinations either will not index correctly as a result of the differing cable pull ratios, or, where the pull ratio is broadly the same (Potenza and the other Rev 11+ systems), the indexing is difficult to set correctly and will tend to drift very rapidly, losing accuracy and speed of shift, with increased wear and tear and with dirt accumulation on the gear cable runs.

Q: Are there any triple-compatible chainset options available in 11s?

A: Yes. Athena offers an 11s triple option using PowerShift levers and offers a 30T inner chainring option and a 12-29T cassette option.

The Athena triple rear derailleur needs to be used with an Athena Powershift (2012 onwards) RH lever, the post-2015 type with the "dropped" thumb lever also being suitable. No other lever in the Campagnolo range is recommended (see the notes on PowerShift compatibility)

The left hand Athena Triple PowerShift lever has three index points, outer, middle and inside chainring - no other lever in the current range is designed to operate a triple crankset.

Q: What is the compatibility between 10speed and 11speed?

A: When Campagnolo started down the path of developing 11 speed, they looked at virtually every part of the transmission and redesigned it to cope with the extra demands of 11 speed. Hence, the cranks and cassette bodies are the same, but 11 speed requires new chainrings, sprockets, chain, front and rear gears and Ergopower levers. The chain is narrower and MUST be joined with the UT-CT300 chaintool.

11s chainrings changed in 2012 and post 2012 11s chainrings cannot be interchanged with earler versions, nor with 10s chainrings.

(Edited 28.12.20 21.12h GMT) HO type 11s rings should not be fitted to non-HO cranks and vice-versa. The mounting points, although they share a common BCD are different and the outer chainring, in the case of non-HO, will physically not fit the HO crank.

In the case of a non-HO ring on an HO crankset, the spider arms of the HO crankset are slightly longer and the "step" on the outside of the big chainring is at too small a radius to allow correct support of the chainring. In the reverse case, although the HO ring will fit, the outer chainring is not adequately supported by the non-HO spider so front shifting is not guaranteed and ring distortion / failure is a possibility.

Q: Which Ergo Levers are Ergobrain compatible?

A: The current 10s levers that are, are Record & Chorus 10s 2006-2010 and use a right hand Ergo body EC-RE631 and left-hand Ergo body EC-RE532.

Some previous versions on Veloce and Centaur up to the 2006 model year either were, or could be made so by swapping the body of the Ergolever itself for the part numbers above, as was also true of late Mirage 10s levers, again up until model year 2006. Some other internal parts also require changing, as EC-RE631-based levers have some dimension differences in the central pivot around which all the other parts rotate.

The versions of Ergopower that either are, or can be made, Ergobrain compatible are identified by having a thumb lever that allows multiple shifts (rather than the later "Escape" type, post model year 2006 in Xenon, Mirage, Veloce, Veloce Infinity and Centaur).

Also required is the drilling through the body of the lever at the top left of the right hand lever to accommodate the mode shift buttons of the system, and top right of the left hand lever. It is to gain these drillings that the bodies of these mid-range ergolevers need to be changed for the Record / Chorus items.

The internal workings of the Escape type levers (which use bodies EC-CE031 & 032) are very different from earlier versions and there is no cross-compatibility between these Ergopower bodies with the previous types. Apart from the brake lever sub-assembly itself, the inner lever sub-assembly behind the brake lever, and the lever clip, there are no interchangeable parts.

Q: Can I mix cassette size "x" with chainrings "y" and rear derailleur "z"?

A: In order to determine this, you need to refer to the Campagnolo Technical manual for the applicable year.

Take the difference in number of teeth between the chainrings and add this to the difference in number of teeth between the top and the bottom sprocket of the cassette (so, for example, using 50 x 34 chainrings and a 12-27 cassette, we would have (50-34=16)+(27-12=15)=31.

If that tooth difference does not exceed the total capacity of the rear derailleur and if the size of the bottom sprocket (27T) does not exceed the maximum sprocket size quoted for the rear derailleur, then the answer will be "yes" provided all the technical characteristics of the frame and gear hanger are within Campagnolo's specification, also to be found in the Technical Manual.

Bear in mind that these characteristics can vary from year to year. There are occasions when the maximum sprocket size for the RD can be greater than Campagnolo quote or less - this depends on the exact spec of the rear derailleur hanger.

Q: Can I mix Campagnolo and "Brand X" components - will it work?

A: Whilst there are many occasions when a variety of vendors will mix Campagnolo and other manufacturer's parts, Campagnolo are quite specific in their advice that all Campagnolo parts are designed to work as an integrated system. Very specific exceptions are sometimes made for large producers of bicycles but in these cases the warranty term is modified. Mixing other manufacturer's components may void warranty and will (almost) certainly lead to a degradation in performance. We can't advise on the mixing of other manufacturer's parts with Campagnolo components. All the information that we offer has to fall withing Campanolo's technical specification and published advice.

Campagnolo specifically advise against the use of non-circular chainrings of any type (ie Rotor Q rings or Osymmetric rings) with Campagnolo front derailleurs - front shift function will always be impaired and there may be knock-on damage effects on the front derailler and in some cases the left-hand shifter.

Campagnolo also specifically advise against the use of third-party "10s compatible" and "11s compatible" chains since these cannot by their very nature, be an accurate match for all systems in the market as all the current producers of 10 & 11s systems have different width and link-shape specifications for their chains. Shift accuracy and damage to the outer cage plate of the front derailleur are typical problems with use of third party chains. In the event of any failure of a component that interfaces with the chain (F or R derailleur, cassette sprockets, chainrings) or any component which may be damaged as a knock-on effect of the incorrect chain being used (LH ErgoPower lever) Campagnolo may request that the chain used on the bicycle is returned along with the component, in any warranty claim.

Q: What are the compatibilities between 2009-14 mechanical systems and their 2015 counterparts?

A: 2015 Front and Rear derailleurs and shift levers, ErgoPower or bar-end must be used in conjunction with each other. There is no compatibility between 2009-14 shifters and 2015 or later derailleurs.

For full function, 2015 gear shift systems should be used with 2015 crank sets as the spider and chainrings are designed to be much stiffer, facilitating a better upshift in combination with the redesigned 2015 FD cage and actuation.

Brakes, chain and cassettes are basically unchanged.

2015 BB press fit BB cups for UltraTorque have been redesigned to have a larger footprint inside the frame.

The OverTorque chainset can be used with 2015 systems but performance will not be quite as good in upshift as a 2015 chainset.

The 11-29 11s cassette introduced in 2015 should only be used with a 2015 or later 11s gear train. Campagnolo cannot guarantee correct function on all frames if this cassette is used with 2009-14 11s RDs.

All Athena 11s components with the exeption of brake blocks and holders are completely compatible across the 2009-2014 / 2015 model years.

All Veloce 10s components are likewise, with the exeption of brake blocks and holders, completely compatible across the 2009-2014 / 2015 model years.

Q: What about the use of non-round chainrings?

A: Campagnolo specifically advise against the use of non-circular chainrings of any type (ie Rotor Q rings or Osymmetric rings) with Campagnolo front derailleurs - front shift function will always be impaired and there may be knock-on damage effects on the front derailler and in some cases the left-hand shifter.

Q: Can I mix Campagnolo Record and Super Record EPS parts - will it work?

A: There is full compatibility between Record and Super Record EPS parts within generations - so any version 1 components will work together, any version 2 components will work together, any version 3 components will work together.

Levers, rear derailleurs and front derailleurs up to 2014 are interchangeable between versions 1 and 2.

We strongly recommend that although version 1 Interface units will work with version 2 power units, a v2 Interface unit is used to preserve the diagnostic function and to take advantage of small software changes that were made between versions.

Very early v1 power units cannot be used with "five cable" interface units intended for use with TT systems. 2015 Front derailleurs cannot be used with v1 Power Units.

Q: Can I mix Campagnolo Athena and Chorus EPS parts - will it work?

A: There is limited compatibility between Athena and Chorus EPS parts within v1 - a Chorus Interface will work with Athena v1 PU (but not vice versa), an Athena v1 FD will work with Chorus PU and Interface (but not vice versa) and although the chainsets are interchangeable, an Athena FD will not shift as well as a Chorus FD with the Chorus, Record or Super Record post 2015 Chainset. The 2015 Athena Chainset is interchangeable with pre-2015 Athena chainsets but will not give the same upshift performance as a Chorus chainset.

Any version 2 Athena EPS components will work with Chorus EPS.

Chorus and Athena EPS levers and rear derailleurs up to 2014 are interchangeable between versions 1 and 2. EPS Front derailleurs, as noted above do not have full compatibility - a Chorus EPS FD cannot be used with an Athena v1 system, it will show a yellow error LED on the PU.

We strongly recommend that although version 1 Athena Interface units will work with version 2 Chorus power units, a v2 Athena or Chorus Interface unit is used to preserve the diagnostic function and to take advantage of small software changes that were made between versions. A 2014 Interface or later is required with 2015 FDs.

Q: Can I mix Campagnolo Record and Super Record 11s EPS parts with 12s? - will it work? (Edited 25.09.23)

A: With the advent of 12s WRL (Wireless System) electronic shifting, we need to be clear what we are discussing.

The following notes apply to "Wired" 12s EPS and do not cover 12s WRL (wireless).

Apart from the charger, which is the same between v2 & v3 EPS (11s) and v4 (12s), there is only very limited cross-compatibility. It is actually easier to say "no" as there is only one "special case" where the electronic components can be mixed.

The exception is, if an 11s TT interface is used, then the 11s base-bar EPS levers, "normal" EPS Ergopower levers and / or the 11s bar-end levers can be used to actuate an otherwise 12s system.

Apart from that, there are electronic differences that make the electronic components non-cross-compatible. The v4 12s firmware is very different to 11s and the operating principle of the 12s levers is different. 11s levers have a simple on / off switch to rigger a shift, wheras 12s levers use a resistive switch.

For the mechanical parts, the cassette body is common between 11 & 12s EPS (It's the same as 10s, in fact, in many cases - there's an additional complexity with post 2021 N3W cassette bodies) but obviously the cassette itself is different and the same is true of the chain. UT-CN300, the 11s chain tool can be used withthe 12s chain, even though the tool is marked "11s only".

For power meters such as Power2max, an 11s 4-bolt crankset can have 12s chainrings fitted and compatibility will be maintained.

11s HO cranksets can carry 12s chainrings with no problems. The rings themselves, however are different and we do not advise intermixing - the simple tooth centre line measurement is very close to the same but the profiling on the back of the outer chairing is different, as is the dimension at the root of the chainring teeth and that can have an effect of shifting as well as on durability of the parts in use. These provisos are the same as in the case of mechanical shifting.

Q: My Athena or Chorus Power Unit has become under-volted and no longer holds charge - what can I do? (Edited 25.09.23)

A: There is a kit available to Service Centres from Campagnolo, that consists of four parts - 2 x circuit boards and 2 x "shunts". It is not for retail sale and requires that the ErgoPower levers are sent to a Campagnolo Service Centre (in the UK, Velotech Cycling Ltd or Chicken Cycle Kit) for modification.

The circuit boards are changed for RE / SR 11s items. The shunts go between the PU and the Athena / Chorus RD and FD. In this way, a RE / SR v3 PU can be used with a RE / SR v3 Interface. This moves charging up onto the Interface and allows the modification of firmware as well as the shifter logic, so extending the functionality of the Athena / Chorus derailleurs and shift levers.

It is an SC-only procedure to change the circuit boards in the shift levers because the strip and re-assembly of the lever is not straightforward and the circuit board is easily damaged by over-torquing of the fixing screws inside the EPS lever body - additionally, the switch sensitivity needs to be re-set and if done incorrectly, that can also irreversibly damage the circuit board.

Additional parts needed, as implied above, are a v3 PU (still available although the product code has changed from the oroginal units, it is now PU21-11EPS and the unit is 29mm longer than the original 11s v3 unit) and the v3 Interface (also still available).

Q: What are the cross-compatibilities of 12s EPS and 12s WRL? (Edited 25.09.23)

A: Currently (25.09.23) the only factory-tested cross-compatibilies are the C-Link joining link for the chain, the 12s chain itself and the 11-29 12s cassette.

There are some other possible cross-compatibilities currently under factory and field testing.

We do not advise any other attempts to mix-and-match 12s EPS and WRL components at this time. In most cases, there are some issues that mean that certain combinations can work - but this is based extensively on frame geometry and characteristics.

Users are reminded that non-factory-tested and factory-approved combinations can result in component damage and / or personal injury / death and that Campagnolo can accept no warranty or liability claim in these cases.

Q: My EPS system is showing zero charge and the charger will not charge it. What's the problem?

A: There are a couple of possible problems here. One is a fault on the charger, the other is a problem in the battery housed in the PU.

If, when attached to a "live" wall socket and plugged into the PU, the charger is showing two steady LEDs - one indicating that power is available from the wall socket and the other indicating that charge is being delivered to the PU, the problem may be "under-volting" - see below. If there is no LED indicating charge from the wall socket and check that the wall socket is live, check the fuse in the plug (where present) and try uing the same lead to power something else that you know is definitely OK. If that all shows the power suply from the wall to the plug that goes into the charger to be OK, then there is a problem inside the charger. On the end of the charger you will also see a coaxial plug - if you havea 12v DC 500mA supply, such as is commonly used on laptop computers, plug that in to the coaxial socket and see if both LEDs light. If they do, the 220-240v "side" of the charger has a problem but the 12v supply can be safely used to charge the battery inside the PU.

If you are showing two LEDS but one of the following applies:

• The yellow LED on the charger is flashing
• The yellow LED does not light at all
• The battery in the PU appears to go from a low or no charge state to fully charged (charge LED goes out) very quickly
• The battery in the PU does not retain charge for very long, or at all
• Some or all of the above apply and the charger seems to get inordinately warm

Then your PU battery may be "undervolted" and the PU will require replacement.
Please note that under-volting is almost never a matter for Campagnolo Warranty. It can arise only two ways - incorrect storage / maintenance of the PU at the OEM, wholesaler or retailer, or incorrect storage / maintenance at the customer.

Under-volting is a problem in the long-term storage of some types of rechargeable batteries and is a well-known characteristic of Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries. It leads to a total inability on the part of the battery to store charge.

The cause of undervolting is storage over a relatively long period at zero charge.

All Li-ion batteries will in any case lose charge over a period of time, whether or not they are connected into an appliance / device and irrespective of that appliance / device being switched on or otherwise. Hence, correct storage including periodic re-charging is essential. Attention also needs to be paid to very high and very low storage temperatures as Li-ion do not tolerate excessively hot or cold conditions well - although the temperatures involved are well outside the expected range of use of the Li-ion battery in an EPS system (Campagnolo advise caution if storage temperatures fall outside of the range -30 to +50C).

Hence, in cases of what, on inspection, appears to be under-volting, warranty is almost never granted - as in all cases that we have encountered and in all cases that we have seen documented from the factory, the cause is incorrect maintenance, not a product or materials fault.

Campagnolo specifically recommend in the instructions supplied with each EPS Power Unit that they should be fully recharged once every 6 months, as can be seen in the annotated extract here:

WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE NEW BICYCLE, PERFORM A COMPLETE CHARGE CYCLE FOR THE EPS POWER UNIT BATTERY BEFORE USING THE BICYCLE.
When installing or removing components, the EPS drivetrain must be switched off by inserting the magnet in the respective seat on the Power Unit, or by placing the specific power-off magnetic strip in the sensor zone.(If you are unclear with regard to the meaning of this, please contact your retailer).
As the EPS Power Unit contains the battery pack:

• Only use the battery charger supplied with the EPS drivetrain.
• do not dismantle or make any modifications to the EPS Power Unit.
• do not use the EPS Power Unit if there is any visible external damage to the unit itself.
• do no use the EPS Power Unit if damaged or malfunctioning.

Keep the EPS Power Unit in a safe place, out of reach of children and animals.

A RANGE OF APPROXIMATELY 1700 KM IS POSSIBLE WITH A FULLY CHARGED BATTERY; WHEN THE RESIDUAL CHARGE REACHES 25%, THE REMAINING RANGE IS APPROXIMATELY 400 KM.

DANGER! Keep the EPS Power Unit away from heat and do not dispose of the unit in fire. Do not leave the EPS Power Unit in a place where the temperature may exceed 60°C (e.g. in a car on a hot day or near fireplaces or heaters). Failure to observe these instructions may cause overheating, fire or explosion and result in severe injury or death.

IMPORTANT! If you do not intend to use the EPS Power Unit for a prolonged period, it must be switched off by inserting the magnet in the respective seat on the EPS Power Unit, or by using the magnetic band. If you are unsure how to impliment these instructions, please contact your retailer.

Q: Are there other circumstances under which I might get odd behaviour between the charger and the PU?

A: Yes. Damage to the plug / socket interface caused by incorrect connection can be an issue. It is extremely important that the four-pin plug that Campagnolo use to both charge the battery within the PU and to monitor the condition and temperature of the battery during charging is correctly fitted into the socket. There is a key and a keyway that guarantee the correct alignment of the four pins. If the alignment of that key and keyway is ignored and the plug is forced in, the pins can be damaged, causing all manner of possible problems many of which irreversibly damage the charger or PU.

Q: How can I be sure that my EPS system has full charge?

A: With the charger connected to the mains and to the EPS system, check to see whether the orange light on the charger illuminates. If the orange light illuminates, the PU is acquiring charge. It will remain illuminated until the battery has full charge,

Q: I already have a Chorus EPS system, can I use the MyCampy App to modify it's behaviour?

A: Unfortunately not ... the MyCampy App communicates with the EPS system via the v3 EPS Interface and Power Unit. These components are available only in Record / Super Record EPS.

Q: I already have an Athena / Potenza / Chorus / Record ? Super Record groupset. What parts do I need to buy to convert to EPS?

A: The 11s mechanical crankset, chain, cassette and brakes that you have are all compatible with EPS, except for the 11-29 and 11-32 cassettes.
The additional parts that you will need are the EPS commands, the Interface, The Power Unit, the Front Derailleur, the Rear Derailleur and a Charger. All of these parts except the charger must be Record/Super Record or Chorus. Record/Super Record EPS components cannot be intermixed with Chorus, apart from the charger which is common to both. The Power Unit, Interface and Charger must be compatible versions, as must the Front Derailleur. Please see the notes above on EPS compatibilities.
The more recent the crankset, the better the front shift function of the EPS will be. When installing the EPS, the bottom bracket sleeve must be fitted between the BB cups to prevent abrasion of the EPS cabling by the BB axle.

Q: I have EPS v3 and want to use the MyCampy App in conjunction with it but I can't connect. What's the problem?

A: Initial things to check are:

• Your device has Blue Tooth Low Energy (BTLE) connectivity and it is running?
• The EPS system is charged and switched on?

At that point, when you open the App and log in, and go to "My EPS", does your device find an EPS system and prompt you for a pairing code? Occasionally it's necessary to click a mode button on the EPS (doesn't matter if it's right or left) and swipe the screen down for the device to see the EPS initially, as per the on-screen prompt.

If the system requests a pairing code (as it should), then please ensure that you key in the digits appearing after the letters "IF" (ignore the letters) which are laser-etched into the Interface unit itself - please *don't* try and use the serial number of the interface on the small white decal - this will not work. The initial pairing can take several minutes - in many cases it is not instant the first time the pairing is made. Subsequent pairings are very quick.

If you still have a problem having ensured that you have followed the instructions above, please contact us and let us know the following:

• What device you are using and the exact operating system (so for example, Apple iPhone 6 and iOS 10.3.2, etc ...)
• The IF connection code code and the serial number from the white decal attached to the IF (the serial number is the 10-digit one on the bottom left of the small white decal)
• Near the plug attachment on the Power Unit to Interface lead, which you will need to gently extract through the port near the head tube on the frame, is white tag. It will say "HWxx" on one side and "FWxx" on the other - please give us these two codes which allow us to know the version of the hardware and firmware that you have. If you still have the packaging for the PU, the serial number of the PU is also useful to have.

For help and advice it's generally best in the first instance to call into a Campagnolo ProShop with your bike - they can assist with most issues and at least one technician at almost every ProShop will have had training on the EPS system and the MyCampy App.

Diagnosing these types of hardware / software issues via the Internet is very difficult as we can't physically see the bike, the device you are using or the indicators on the device screen or on the EPS system that would help us to see where any issue might lay.

Q: I have recently updated the firmware in my EPS v3 or v4 system and want to use the MyCampy App in conjunction with it but I can't connect. What's the problem? (Edited 25.09.23)

A: There are some potential issue here which Campagnolo are aware of. They arise from the fact that the company that developed the v2 App in conjunction with Campagnolo is no longer trading, so resolving these types of issue is now a more complex proposition than it was. We suggest that the following sequence of operations is carried out:

• Switch your EPS system off, using the magnetic band.
• Delete v2 of the app from your device.
• Delete your account at mycampy.campagnolo.com
• Clear the cache on your device.
• Switch Bluetooth "off" on your device.
• Switch your device off. Make this a "hard" switch-off, do not simply use "Restart".
• Leave your device powered down for some minutes (2 to 3 is advised).
• Switch your device back on.
• Create a new account at mycampy.campagnolo.com
• Download an install the current version of the v2 App.
• Switch Bluetooth back on, in your device, if it has not automatically re-started.
• Switch the EPS system back in by removing the magnetic band.

At this point, when you open the App and log in to your new account, your device should find an EPS system and prompt you for a pairing code.

Occasionally it's necessary to click a mode button on the EPS (doesn't matter if it's right or left) and swipe the screen down for the device to see the EPS initially, as per the on-screen prompt.

If the system requests a pairing code (as it should), then please ensure that you key in the digits appearing after the letters "IF" (ignore the letters) which are laser-etched into the Interface unit itself - please *don't* try and use the serial number of the interface on the small white decal - this will not work. The initial pairing can take several minutes - in many cases it is not instant the first time the pairing is made. Subsequent pairings are very quick.

If you still have a problem having ensured that you have followed the instructions above, please contact us and let us know the following:

• What device you are using and the exact operating system (so for example, Apple iPhone 6 and iOS 10.3.2, etc ...)
• The IF connection code code and the serial number from the white decal attached to the IF (the serial number is the 10-digit one on the bottom left of the small white decal)
• Near the plug attachment on the Power Unit to Interface lead, which you will need to gently extract through the port near the head tube on the frame, is white tag. It will say "HWxx" on one side and "FWxx" on the other - please give us these two codes which allow us to know the version of the hardware and firmware that you have. If you still have the packaging for the PU, the serial number of the PU is also useful to have.

For help and advice it's generally best in the first instance to call into a Campagnolo ProShop with your bike - they can assist with most issues and at least one technician at almost every ProShop will have had training on the EPS system and the MyCampy App.

Diagnosing these types of hardware / software issues via the Internet is very difficult as we can't physically see the bike, the device you are using or the indicators on the device screen or on the EPS system that would help us to see where any issue might lay.

Q: Can I please have a short explanation of the N3W cassette body? (Edited 25.09.23)

A: The N3W cassette body was first introduced into the Campagnolo range on the Shamal Carbon wheel, in MY 2021. All wheels designed going forward will carry the N3W cassette body. There is a variation of the pre-2023 designed Bora WTO DB wheel (wheel codes starting WH23-) which will also from 2023, be N3W-equipped.

N3W format bodies are also available so that Shimano Microspline and SRAM XDR cassettes can be used on Campagnolo wheels.

The Campagnolo pattern N3W body can carry, with an adapter, "4-arm" 10s cassettes, all 11s and all pre MY2023 12s cassettes.

Without the adapter, the Campagnolo pattern N3W cassette body can carry Ekar 13s and WRL 12s cassettes.

There is a retrofittable N3W cassette body available for earlier Campagnolo hubs, to suit disc brake wheels with HH12 rear axles only.

The differences are that the N3W cassette body has a 33mm, as distinct from a 30mm drive ring and some internal differences to the bearing configuraion. The retrofit body retains the 30mm drive ring but the internal bearing configuration differences mean that it is only compatible with HH12 axles, not with Quick release.

Shimano Microspline and SRAM XDR N3W bodies come with specific spacing kits to allow the ise of these bodies on Campagnolo wheels, in order to retain correct cassette-to-frame spacing with these cassettes.

There is a new spring-and-pawl kit available for N3W.

Q: The Dark Grey surface finish on my Shamal Mille rims has worn off within a short time of purchase, is this a warranty claim?

A: Not normally, no. The Plasma Electrolytic Oxidisation (PEO) coating on the Shamal Mille rim is probably one of the most mis-understood characteristics of any Campagnolo product.

The dark surface coating on the rim is not, nor is it intended to be, a permanent coating.

The dark colour is conferred by what is basically a development of hard anodising processes that are used to influence the crystal structure of the aluminium alloy of the rim. The PEO process used penetrates deeply into the aluminium of the rim, the coating left on the surface serving as a resistant layer, protecting the rim from corrosion in the areas not abraded by the brake blocks and slowly wearing way from the brake tracks over time. In earlier years, other finishes, like either soft or hard anodisation have had similar characteristics but have either been predominantly cosmetic (soft) or penetrated the rim to shallower depths (hard) - hence the adoption of PEO, which hardens and stiffens the rim material to a depth and to a level not previously possible.

The key characteritic is that the PEO treatment gives, with the correct brake blocks, improved braking and slower wear on the braking surface, regardless of whether the grey surface coat has worn away.

Since the introduction of the Shamal Mille in model year 2015, Campagnolo have been at pains to point out that early press reports that suggested that the coating was intended to be permanent were in error. It also states in the user manual for Shamal Mille:

::A partial removal of the surface layer of the braking rim does not reduce the braking efficiency and represents normal wear, and is therefore not covered by the warranty as indicated in the "Campagnolo limited warranty"::

The care instructions in the user manual issued with the wheels are designed to reduce the rate of wear to the surface coating and the possibility of scores appearing in the surface and / or deeper into the rim but recognise that as a surface subject to the friction of the brake blocks, the braking track will eventually lose the grey surface colour.

Q: My retailer has told me that you prefer that bearings are changed at the Service Centre within the warranty period - is that so?

A: In general, yes. The cartridge bearings used in the entry-level wheels (Calima, Khamsin, Vento, Scirocco) all need to be both correctly removed and replaced to guarantee continued performance and compliance with Campagnolo Warranty provision. Campagnolo-supplied bearings must be used as not all generic bearings comply with the tolerances required in Campagnolo hubs - in some cases we have seen, even "name" bearings have proved to be incorrect and may not have originated at the factory whose brand was on them.

For the high-end wheel bearings (used in models Zonda, Eurus, Shamal, Bora, Ghibli and in the current Record hubs) utilising either the standard steel-on-steel, USB ceramic-on-steel or CULT ceramic-on-stainless steel bearings, it is also strongly recommended that a SC changes these assembles, at least during the warranty period ... in these cases correct fitting of the bearing surfaces is absolutely essential and damage to the hub shells in these wheels resulting from incorrect fitting cannot be rectified.

Q: Is the cassette body on my Campagnolo wheel interchangeable to allow me to fit other makers' cassettes?

A: Yes, it is. You will need to know the year and model of your wheel but with various parts substitutions, almost any Campagnolo wheel from 1999 to the present can have the cassette body swapped. The exceptions are older designs where three individual pawl springs drive the pawls - these cannot be swapped and no replacement cassette body of Campagnolo, or any other specification, is now available.

Q: Can my Campagnolo wheels be trued by myself, or by a retailer, within the warranty period?

A: If you wish to retain the warranty on the wheels, no, this is not allowed. Unless subject to an abnormal imapct, it is extremely uncommon for any Campagnolo wheel to lose trueness during the warranty period. If it does so, the truing process, especilly for G3 wheels, requires careful attention to several areas to be successful. The Service Centres hve a great deal of experience in this area, as well as being fully and correctly equipped to do the job and return the wheel to Campagnolo specification for tension, dish and trueness.

Q: I have been recommended to use another manufacturer's brake blocks with my Campagnolo wheels - what is your recommendation?

A: The characteristics of Campagnolo brake blocks are engineered in parallel with the alloy and surface treatments of alloy wheels and the same is true of the brake blocks for carbon rims - extensive testing is done to ensure that if used within the design parameters of the wheels, the brake blocks will give the highest standard of braking control, without damaging the rim.

Q: I have overheated the rim of my Campagnolo carbon wheels I was using the correct brake blocks - can I successfully make a warranty claim?

A: Without examinantion of the rim and brake blocks, we cannot say a definite "yes" or "no" but the typical things we will look for are dirt inclusions in the pads, uneven pad wear, uneven brake track wear, incorrect height placement of the brake blocks and inclusions of material in the rim or pads from other brake pad makers. As a generality, we see no damage to Campagnolo carbon rims where they are used in high level competition - where damage does often occur is when the brakes are "dragged" on long descents - this type of use is outside the design parameters of the wheel. In all cases, every situation is examined before a warranty is either granted or refused, or a goodwill repair or replacement is made.

Q: Can my Campagnolo wheels be trued by myself, or by a retailer, within the warranty period?

A: If you wish to retain the warranty on the wheels, no, this is not allowed. Unless subject to an abnormal impact, it is extremely uncommon for any Campagnolo wheel to lose trueness during the warranty period. If it does so, the truing process, especilly for G3 wheels, requires careful attention to several areas to be successful. The Service Centres hve a great deal of experience in this area, as well as being fully and correctly equipped to do the job and return the wheel to Campagnolo specification for tension, dish and trueness.

Q: Do you have a crash replacement policy or discount scheme?

A: At present, no, Campagnolo don't.

Q: What spare parts are available for Campagnolo wheels?

A: The answer varies slightly by model. Contact the Service Centre for definitive advice. For most wheels but not all, rims, hub components, spokes and decals are available.

Q: What is the tyre compatibility of Campagnolo C17 type wheels?

A: C17 width rims, like all Campagnolo rims, are made to strict tolerances and follow the ETRTO dimension regulations - so a minimum 25c profile tyre should be used - do not be tempted to mount 23c, this is outside of the specification of the rim. Maximum size is 50c.

Wheels marked "Two Way Fit" or "2WF" may be used with conventional clincher tyres with an inner tube, or with tubeless tyres. In the latter case, the current "Conic" type valve should be used, along with a sealant that does not contain sodium hydrochloride.

Campagnolo wheels that "look" as if they "should" be tubeless compatible because they have no access to the spoke holes through the rim floor - but which are not marked Two Way Fit or 2WF - should NOT be used with tubeless system tyres. Campagnolo cannot guarantee that the tyre will be retained correctly by the bead hooks as there are design differences between tubeless compatible and non-tubeless compatible rims.

Q: Are you part of Campagnolo?

A: No, we are an independent company. We provide technical education to the wholesale and retail markets and we are the senior and most experienced provider of the warranty and servicing function in the UK and Republic of Ireland market on behalf of Campagnolo SRL. We are contracted to provide this service. Whilst we work very closely with Campagnolo, and in particular with their service department, this means that we can only really answer queries with a direct bearing on the technical aspects of Campagnolo product, rather than any commercial or marketing - related queries. We are happy to pass such queries on to the relevant personell at Campagnolo or in the UK distribution chain, however.

Q: Do you sell groupsets or complete assemblies?

A: No, we concern ourselves with servicing and the small parts required to complete servicing jobs - for groupsets and complete assemblies we would refer the trade to one of the Campagnolo-appointed wholesalers in the UK, and members of the public to their local Campagnolo stockist, preferably a Campagnolo ProShop where the technicians have had training in the product and are fully versed in it - and who have preferential access to SC staff. There is a slight grey area, insofar as we do supply commonly needed items such as brake blocks, lever hoods and complete cable sets ... but for a complete chainset, rear gear, Ergopower lever, etc., we'd refer you to one of the channels mentioned above.

Q: Are you qualified?

A: Yes. Prior to appointment, we were invited to Campagnolo in Vicenza and our basic competencies checked by the service department there. We attend the various training sessions held for senior technicians at the Campagnolo factory regularly (at least twice a year) and additionally visit the factory several times a year to ensure that the information that we have is kept absolutely up-to-date. We carry out all proceedures in accordance with the methods laid down by Campagnolo, and work within the tolerances specified by them, in general using the same tooling that is used at the factory. All of the SC technicians have extensive experience not only in Campagnolo product but in most cases, as mechanics or technicians who have worked on many brands.

Q: Can I gain a qualification? (Edited 25.09.2023)

A: If you are employed in the cycle trade, yes, you can, provided that your basic competencies are sufficient - see the notes on training on these pages of our website. Velotech alongside ICC in the Benelux are the only companies or bodies in the world that can offer a factory-approved and recognised course with regard to Campagnolo product. We work with other training providers (currently, the UCI in Switzerland, The Bike Inn)) to offer the training through their establishments but training is always carried out by Velotech personnel.

Q: Do you supply old Campagnolo spares?

A: We can supply spares dating back some time, providing that Camapgnolo still make them. In general, the older the part, the less likely it is that we'll be able to order it from Camapgnolo, which is what you might expect. We are often asked for parts dating back to the late 1990s or earlier - these we can only very seldom help with - Ergopower brake hoods, brake blocks and some other spares are available, but in general there are third-party suppliers in a much better position to supply older parts than us.

:: Literature

Q: Is there a manual available with Campagnolo Technical information in it?

A: Yes, there is. Almost all Campagnolo technical information is publically available at the Campagnolo website in PDF form and it can be downloaded and saved. Go to www.campagnolo.com, then look for "Support" and "Documentation". Filters can be applied to the available documents. There are also videos available on the Campagnolo YouTube Channel covering many aspects of Campagnolo Technical matters - we would, however very strongly emphasise that most maintenance and repair operations are best carried out by the trained staff at Campagnolo ProShops or retailers listed on the Velotech website as having had the training noted in that listing at Velotech Cycling Ltd. Others attempting maintenance or repair may damage parts through a lack of knowledge or expereience or may unwittingly infringe warranty, meaning that if a problem occurs at a later date, the warranty cannot be operated. ProShops and other Velotech trained technicians are instructed as to where these boundaries lie.

Q: Where can I find more information on Campagnolo EPS?

A: the best source of information is always your ProShop or CODE dealer.

Campagnolo also have an EPS-specific website at http://eps.campagnolo.com - but we strongly advise that for full information, members of the public should reference their ProShop or CORE dealer. They have a lot of information that is not available on the website and also have preferential access to the various Service Centres' technical staff.

Dealers, wholesalers and OEMs should refer to Velotech Cycling for full training or technical advice.

Dealers who have been in receipt of technical training from Velotech Cycling Ltd and have qualified as ProShop or CODE dealers will gain preferential support from Velotech Cycling Ltd.