New Campagnolo Record 13 is a true rival to Shimano Ultegra – and it couldn't have come sooner

Campagnolo has officially unveiled its new Record 13-speed mechanical groupset, positioning it as a direct competitor to Shimano's Ultegra. This marks Campagnolo's return to the mid-to-high-end mechanical road market, offering a 13-speed cassette alongside a 2x chainring setup, a significant departure from their previous 12-speed offerings. The move aims to provide a premium mechanical option that challenges the established electronic dominance in this segment.

This launch is particularly noteworthy given Campagnolo's recent strategic shifts, including their focus on gravel with Ekar and the increasing prevalence of electronic shifting across the industry. For years, Shimano Ultegra has largely held court as the benchmark for high-performance, accessible mechanical groupsets. Campagnolo's re-entry with a 13-speed mechanical system suggests a belief that a significant portion of the market still values the tactile experience and user serviceability of mechanical shifting, especially if it offers a competitive gear range and performance.

While 13-speed mechanical is an intriguing proposition, the true test will be whether Campagnolo can convince riders to opt for their system over the increasingly sophisticated and ubiquitous electronic alternatives at a similar price point. It's a bold play, but Campagnolo has never been one to follow the peloton blindly.