PLUS

[SK08]

As we can see there is no TT stuff for 2011. Why, can anyone honestly explain this to me please? I've been anxiously waiting for new TT bar end shifters (even quietly dreaming of 11s...) and (yes, really...) for new aero brake levers and what we get (no! again!) is a totally obsolete TT brake lever design. Even seatposts are gone (but actually this doesn't bother me too much).
Please don't get me wrong, I really love all new groupsets but why did Campagnolo decide to stop making TT equipment? It's beyond my ken.

By the way, does the name "Pro-Fit PLUS" indicate a slightly new approach to pedal design? Wasn't it just "Pro-Fit" in 2010? Have they added this "PLUS" now or has the name always been like this?

[Mick F]

Can't help about TT stuff, but ProFit Plus have been around for years.
2004?

Mick.

[SK08]

I always thought they were called just "Pro-Fit". And when I noticed "PLUS" (I'm alomst 100% sure I had never seen it before...) it occurred to me that this may indicate something new in mechanism design and its work. But Campy pedals aren't my biggest concern although I'd like to see something more up to date (but only if the current model is not modern enough - in terms of clipping in/out and weight. I'm not familiar with Campy pedals at all so all my doubts may be groundless).
What saddens me deeply is lack of high-end TT stuff. I really don't want to be boring and irritating but what made Campagnolo stop doing TT stuff? Economic factors? Lack of interest in TT? Something else?? It's very easy (in my humble opinion) to produce bar end shifters and brake levers after all. Look at ShimaNO or SRAM, great bits. Take a look at Campy - odd and obsolete. Campagnolo's stubborness is really exasperating for me.

[bikerjulio]

OK I don't know anything about TT stuff, but do own a bunch of Campy pedals.

The "plus" was IMO a fairly minor change to the platform area of the pedal in the early '00's.

Since the platform for my foot is a DMT carbon sole with a Campy cleat under it, the difference is not discernable to my unrefined senses.

[SK08]

Ok, thanks. I just thought "PLUS" was the 2011 (how to name it) addition to the already existing "Pro-Fit" name. I could swear I've never seen it before... But now everything about "PLUS" is clear

[bikerjulio]

I'm all dressed up & it's raining and cool here, so i'm hanging out on the forums.

For your edification I went down to the cave and pulled out a Daytona pro fit (left) and Record "plus" (right).

[SK08]

thanks for the photos. now i can clearly see the PLUS name i'm contemplating buying a set of new record pedals. are they LOOK system compatible?

[bikerjulio]

Campy has their own propriatary cleat system in two parts - a metal "hook" that lasts a long time and a plastic cleat that needs replacing more often. In total around $50. It uses the same three hole system as everyone else. In the past I bought the Daytonas new and complete with cleat set for around the same price - it was like getting free pedals. not sure the price differential to Record is really worth it. the only difference is the spindle material.

[Mick F]

I run Chorus, and some years before, Centaur.

Can you still get the lower groups?
Record seem so expensive.

[bikerjulio]

Looking at their site it seems like Record is the only current option. Campy have not had much success with pedals and seem to have lost interest. Mine are all from the Bay.

[SK08]

The only option for me is to buy a set of Record pedals. I'm not frightened because I can get them for a fairly reasonable price, at least comparable to TIME RXS (2010), LOOK BLADE (2010) and DURA ACE (2010) pedals prices. But I have some doubts about Campy pedals:

1. EXISTENCE IN OBSCURITY: Why are they so widely ignored by pro-cyclists? I don't suppose they're of mediocre quality or have any flaws in design. ShimaNO, LOOK, TIME and Speedplay seem to rule the road cycling world. No Campy whatsoever. "Campy have not had much success with pedals and seem to have lost interest" - exactly! But why? What was the main factor that led to disappearance of Campy pedals from the world of road cycling?

2. SYSTEM: It seems too complicated (and expensive as well) to me. Am I right? Is Campy system somewhat more complicated than ShimaNO SPD-SL (this is the only system I'm familiar with)? "Campy has their own proprietary cleat system in two parts" - why not just a cleat and three screws + three washers like ShimaNO? Or maybe it just sounds so ominous but in reality it isn't so much sophisticated?

3. WEIGHT: A set of brand-new Record pedals weighs 266g (according to Campy site). It's not bad but I can easily find cheaper and somewhat lighter pedals of the same quality, for example: Ritchey Echelon 2010 (258g and way cheaper), TIME RXS 2010 (180 g per pair!), LOOK BLade 2010 (226g) just to name only three brands (but please keep in mind that I'm talking about the pedals and the prices I can find in my local store. Sometimes they give small discounts and that's why the prices of the models I've just listed are more or less comparable).


To sum things up, I want to buy Record pedals but without switching from my current SPD-SL system (by this I mean ONLY my SPD-SL Diadora Ergo shoes, not the pedals). To be even more precise: I'd like to retain my Diadoras and replace my ShimaNO 105 with Campagnolo Record pedals. Is it possible? Can Record pedals serve as an equivalent to ShimaNO 105 and be used with Diadora Ergo SPD-SL shoes, or are these two systems completely different? I fear it's impossible...

One more question arises out of this problem: what cleat system (beside proprietary Campagnolo design of course) is 100% compatible with Campy pedals?




DISCLAIMER: English isn't my native language so please try to be be understanding if my questions aren't clear enough. I'll strive to improve my techniques of conveying a message in the future posts...

[bikerjulio]

Firstly, your english is fine.

Yes, a campy cleat will fit your shoe fine. The three hole system is pretty universal for road shoes.

here's the campy instruction sheet with illustrations:

http://www.campagnolo.com/repository/documenti/en/7225253-Pro_fit_pedals-03-07-UK.pdf

They are excellent quality pedals with two ball bearings and a good seal. Should last forever.

As for the complication - well that's a campy "feature" isn't it? Although seriously, if you remember the '90's, LOOK was the first out with the clipless Delta design. For a time both ShimaNO and Campy licenced the design and produced compatible versions. I had a pair of the ShimaNO "LOOKs" bought in around '91. They were excellent, though heavy. Then, wishing to have their own designs and avoid patent litigation, both went and produced their own versions of clipless. I stayed with LOOK and when Keo's first came out I switched to them and wore out a pair in a couple of years before going 100% campy for road pedals.

I found campy slightly easier to clip into, they hold the foot very well, and clipout tension is adjustable. the lightest setting is firm enough for me.

As for why they haven't been more successful, I think you answered your own question - lots of good competitors and no product development by campy.

To my knowlege, there is no other cleat that will be compatible - it is a unique campy design.

If you are buying new in box pedals they should come with a cleat set included. The regular ones have some float. campy also make a no float version.

Ribble have cleats if you need to buy them separately: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pp/road-track-bike/Pedals-cleats-spares-and-Accessories/PEDZ You will only need to buy the metal part once.

[SK08]

Thanks for clarification. Now I'm in two minds. On the one hand Record pedals seem to be of decent weight and exceptional quality. But on the other hand I fear that after some time (two, three years? Who knows...) they'll become overweight and obsolete in clipping in/out. New light, durable, safe and eye-catching (though it's not an issue for me) models will appear on the market and Campy will stay 266g per pair and the entry and release system also won't change and won't be replaced with something more up to date (as in the case of the infamous TT brake levers). It seems the've lost all interest in developing this part of their groupsets. Too bad because Campy pedals have always had good reputation and if regularly (which doesn't necessarily mean every year) upgraded they could easily retain their fame and quality. But that's only my private opinion.

I think I must give myself some to time to think it all through although I'd really like to give Records a try. What's your opinion? You've been using Campy pedals for a long time now so maybe you could help.

[bikerjulio]

My Record Pro Fits have all been used, and in good condition I was usually in the $100 range. I would not be paying $250. And I have bought new Daytona sets in the $50 range. There seems to be not very much in the way of pedals on the Bay at the moment.

My advice would be get them if you really want an all-campy bike, but with Keo Carbons at about half that price and less weight, they'd be my choice if I didn't already have a bunch of campy ones to use.

[SK08]

Thanks for advice. That's exactly what I wanted to hear. After a sleepless night and (too?) much consideration I finally decided not to go for Records... My reasons: if I had two road bikes I'd certainly like one of them to be 100% Campy (even a seatpost and a headset included). Unfortunately I own only one road machine (a new one because I've crashed my previous bike) and my first objective is to make it as lightweight as possible (but I'm by no means a crazy weight maniac. I ride Khamsin 2009 wheelset and the're almost perfectly fine for me...! But to be quite honest I'm considering buying Shamal Titans) as well as modern and safe. That's why my choice is to purchase TIME RXS CARBON or LOOK KEO CARBON sets. They're simply cheaper and somewhat lighter. But I'm a proud owner of a fantastic Record carbon seatpost. No pedals but a seatpost instead!