January 2004--The year has only just begun, and we have fearlessly issued our predictions for what Campagnolo will be offering in their 2005 lineup.  We also asked you, the reader, to suggest what you think will be coming for next year--we're very impressed with the imagination shown by our readers (let's see if it's matched by the imagination in Vicenza ...).  

Coming Soon: We'll be launching an online survey--vote on what you think Campy will introduce!
Campy Only's predictions:
 

  • Electronic shifting will finally debut in a 10s Record version.  Retail price will be at least $1,500 higher than standard Record, and it will be released in limited quantities, which will sell out completely.
  • Carbon chainrings will be offered for Record and (perhaps) Chorus.  Unlike other designs already on the market, Campagnolo's rings will have alloy teeth mated to a carbon ring.
  • Ergobrain will go wireless for '05.  The sensors at the Ergo levers will still connect with wires, but speed and cadence will be picked up by wireless units.  Campagnolo will offer a wireless upgrade for older ErgoBrain units, but it will cost too much for most riders (like the spare mounts that currently cost almost as much as an entire new ErgoBrain).
  • Several new clothing designs will be offered.  None will sell well.
  • Updated 1-26-04--We're predicting that carbon brakes will not come out for '05 ...

Predictions from our readers:

webmaster@campyonly.com

  • Campagnolo will surprise us with a wireless electronic shifting Record Group, that will have a much smaller battery pack than the current battery we have been seeing.  Ergobrain will be sold with the group, and will be essential to the group operating properly.  Carbon will be added to the brakes as well.  Alloys will start to be replaced with more titanium and magnesium for lighter weight.
  • Chorus will look like the current Record with the the exception of the brakes, which will remain alloy, and be offered in 2006 as a carbon brake set.  Chorus will become more accepted than Record due to the increased cost in Record once it goes electronic.  Chorus will remain analog for a couple of more years, until Campy finds a way to control cost.  It will get a make over and also be offered at an electronic group in 2007.
  • Carbon will make its way in a very limited fashion to the Centaur group, although you won't see as much of it as you do in this year's Chorus.  The derailleur plate will be carbon, and possibly the Ergo levers, however, if there is to be a carbon crank set for Centaur, it will be carbon arms only, and the spider will be made of alloy.
  • The rest of the groups will become ten speed.  Nine speed will be phased out by the rest of the industry as well.
  • Carbon spokes will be paired with Campy's carbon hubs and rims as well.  I would look for a new type of wheel to come out of this.
  • Ergobrain will also have a pc interface to download training data into, but I would also look for it to measure altitude, temperature, and grades.

webmaster@campyonly.com

  • (Perhaps more long-term than 2005)  ErgoBrain will be combined with a GPS unit, which will provide speed and elevation (cadence and gearing will come from standard ErgoBrain sensors).  

webmaster@campyonly.com

Record:

  • Bottom bracket spindle with splined pattern and ceramic bearings (maybe first 2006).
  • Standard hubs will be available in black finish and ceramic bearings.
  • New "AX-Lightness style" lightweight seatpost.
  • New lightweight quick realeases in "Tune or USE style".
  • Carbon brakes (maybe first 2006).
  • More carbon small parts.

Chorus:

  • Seatpost from Record
  • 10s Ultra shifting from Record

Centaur:

  • Seatpost from Chorus
  • "Record style" bottle cage in alloy

2005+:

  • After the introduction of Multidirectional Carbon Fiber more part will be avaible in 
    carbon fiber (front/rear derailleur body, chainrings, cassette body, pedal body....)

webmaster@campyonly.com

Record: 

  • The record bottom bracket will be offered with a titanium axle. 
  • Hubs will be available in a black finish. 
  • Record pedals will go to a carbon body. 

Chorus: 

  • An optional black finish for hubs and brakes. 
  • Ergo levers will get Record's Ultra treatment. 

Centaur: Predict no major changes to the group. 

Veloce: Will get Centaur hubs. 

Beyond 2005 Campy will eventually offer a carbon fiber fork.

webmaster@campyonly.com

  • Carbon fiber brakes might be toyed with, maybe not for release next year.
  • Gold anodizing on Record (much like the Once bikes).
  • Ceramic or other advanced material in bottom bracket bearings.

Rob Sallnow

  • I think carbon chainrings are a long way off........so in the mean time Campag will offer black anodized chainrings for the carbon cranks......
  • Ergobrains will come in a choice of new colours (like the new mini iPods)
  • Black anodized gear/brake cables
  • Black anodized standard Record hubs.
  • Ti Record skewers
  • A Centaur bottle cage......just an alloy effort.
  • Another new method of joining the C10 chain.......and new tool!!
  • Xenon to be scrapped and replaced with 'Avanti'

Ronald van Tol

  • Mirage goes 10 speed
  • Centaur gets titanium seatpost (previous Chorus / Record post)
  • Veloce gets alu seatpost from Centaur
  • Record gets black anodized hubs

Rob Reed

  • I think Campagnolo will or (should) come out with their own version of a 2-piece crankset that does away with a square taper bottom bracket. If they were smart they NEED to do this because, seriously the square taper BB is outdated and the whole design needs to be updated. (Note: Click here to read a comparison of square tapers vs. ISIS)

If you have an idea about next year's stuff:  Email us!