Campagnolo: a world of its own
Campagnolo isn't just a competitor to Shimano and SRAM — it's a complete ecosystem with its own standards, its own tools, and its own compatibility logic. If you ride Campagnolo or you're considering switching, here's everything you need to know.
The group hierarchy
Campagnolo offers a structured range from mid-range to very high-end:
- Centaur: Campagnolo's entry-level group. 11-speed only. Aluminium, reliable, compatible with the entire Campagnolo 11-speed chain. Excellent value for entering the ecosystem
- Chorus: the serious mid-range. 12-speed. Aluminium/carbon mix. Most internal components are identical to Record — only weight and finish differ
- Record: high-end. 12-speed. Carbon and titanium. The Campagnolo performance standard for decades
- Super Record: the pinnacle. 12-speed. UD carbon, titanium, ceramic bearings on some models. Marginal weight saving over Record (~100 g on the complete groupset)
- Super Record Wireless: 12 or 13-speed. Wireless shifting. Campagnolo's latest technological evolution
Freehub body: N3W and its variants
This is THE critical compatibility point. Campagnolo uses its own freehub bodies, incompatible with Shimano HG and SRAM XD.
N3W (standard):
- The current body for all 12-speed Campagnolo cassettes
- Specific splines, smaller than Shimano HG
- Compatible with 11-speed Campagnolo cassettes (via adapter or directly depending on model)
- Available from most high-end wheel manufacturers (Fulcrum, Mavic, DT Swiss, Zipp)
N3W-BT:
- Variant for 13-speed cassettes from the Super Record Wireless group
- The smallest sprocket goes down to 9 teeth (vs 10 for standard 12-speed)
- Physically identical to standard N3W but with a thinner small sprocket
Important: a Campagnolo cassette does NOT fit on a Shimano HG freehub body, and vice-versa. If you switch ecosystems, you need to change the freehub body (or the wheel if the body isn't interchangeable).
12-speed and 13-speed
12-speed (Chorus, Record, Super Record mechanical/EPS):
- Standard ratios: 11-29, 11-32, 11-34
- Specific Campagnolo 12-speed chain (CN-link)
- Rear derailleur: short cage (29 max) or long cage (34 max)
13-speed (Super Record Wireless only):
- Ratio: 9-36 (with 9-tooth small sprocket on N3W-BT body)
- One-piece machined cassette
- The 13th speed doesn't require a wider derailleur — it's the additional small sprocket that makes the difference
EPS (Electronic Power Shift) vs mechanical
EPS: Campagnolo's wired electronic shifting, competing with Shimano Di2.
- Internal battery (in seatpost or frame)
- Motors integrated in derailleurs
- Identical ergonomics to mechanical levers (same shape, same grip)
- Multi-shift: hold the button for multiple gears
- V4 (latest generation): configurable via MyCampy app (Bluetooth)
- Battery life: ~1500 km per charge (varies with usage)
- Key advantage: very clean shifting under load, perfect indexing, zero cable adjustment
Mechanical: classic cables, adjustment via limit screws and cable tension. Still offered on Centaur and Chorus. Works perfectly when well-set, but requires regular cable maintenance.
Wireless (Super Record): no wires, no cables, no housing. Battery in each derailleur. Pairing via MyCampy app.
Compatibility matrix
| Component | 11s Campa | 12s Campa | 13s Campa | Shimano | SRAM |
|---|
| Cassette | ✅ | ✅ (N3W) | ✅ (N3W-BT) | ❌ | ❌ |
| Chain | Campa 11s | Campa 12s | Campa 13s | ❌ | ❌ |
| Shifters | Campa 11s | Campa 12s | Wireless | ❌ | ❌ |
| Crankset | ✅ universal | ✅ universal | ✅ universal | ✅ (BCD) | ✅ (BCD) |
| Rim brakes | Campa or Shimano | Campa or Shimano | — | ✅ | ✅ |
| Disc brakes | Campa disc | Campa disc | Wireless disc | ❌ | ❌ |
The crankset is the only near-universal component. Standard road chainrings (BCD 110/4) are interchangeable between brands. However, shifters, derailleurs, cassettes, and chains are exclusive to each ecosystem.
Campagnolo-specific tools
Campagnolo requires a few dedicated tools:
- UT-BB130: Ultra-Torque bottom bracket tool (36 mm, specific)
- UT-FT001: N3W cassette lockring tool (different from Shimano FR-5.2)
- UT-CN300: CN-link chain connecting tool (the Campa 12-speed chain doesn't use a standard quick-link — it has a specific CN link that requires this tool or a special plier)
- Campagnolo spoke wrench: specific profile on Campagnolo/Fulcrum wheels (Mavic and DT Swiss use their own profiles)
Key differences from Shimano and SRAM
Lever ergonomics:
- Campagnolo: thumb button to shift up + lever behind the brake to shift down. Independent from the brake lever
- Shimano: inner lever behind the brake (shift up) + small inner lever (shift down). The brake lever moves
- SRAM: single lever behind the brake, with two strokes (short = shift up, long = shift down)
Chain:
- Campagnolo 12-speed uses a proprietary CN-link. No standard quick-link (KMC, Shimano Quick-Link)
- Replacement: you must cut the chain and reconnect with a new CN-link
Ultra-Torque crankset system:
- The axle is in two pieces, each half attached to a crank arm. The two halves bolt together at the center with a Hirth joint bolt
- Center bolt torque: 42 Nm
- Advantage: bearings easily accessible for replacement
Ask your question on L'Atelier to check the exact compatibility between your Campagnolo components and find the torque specs for your groupset.
