Campagnolo has envisaged lots of new features for its middle of the range Veloce and Centaur groupsets for 2007. These go from the innovative Ultra-Torque cranksets to the extremely light Skeleton brakes, the Ergopower Escape mechanism and the inclusion of carbon fibre in the Centaur groupset.


VELOCE

There are lots of important new features in the 2007 configuration of the Veloce group. They begin with the Ultra-Torque™ crankset and continue with the new Skeleton™ brakes and with a new sprocket set, and are completed by two colour versions. The Veloce groupset will in fact be available with both the classic silver finish and in the new and aggressive shiny black finish named Veloce™ Infinite.

Guarnitura Ultra-Torque. As announced, the Veloce groupset will adopt the revolutionary Ultra-Torque crankset in the aluminium version and it will be available with the classic 39/53 or the CT 34/50 toothing. Three crank lengths are envisaged for both versions: 170 172.5 and 175 mm.

Skeleton brakes. The Veloce groupset presents the new Skeleton brakes (see the dedicated sheet). This is a new type of Campagnolo brake evolving from the previous braking system. The new project led to the reinforcement and stiffening of the most sensitive points while lightening those areas where the presence of material is superfluous. The braking system therefore becomes notably lighter with higher performance.
The new Skeleton brakes are of the differentiated type, with a powerful front brake and a modulable rear brake. This option ensures a reduction of the stopping distances and enhanced safety.

Ergopower controls. Ergopower Veloce 2007 controls are the QS (Quick Shift) type and are fitted with Campagnolo's new Escape mechanism which reduces the component's weight and eliminates maintenance operations.

11-25 Sprocket sets. The 11-25 combination springs from a demand from users for compact cranksets with a broader range of ratios, just as suitable for the steepest climbs as for fast pedalable descents.



CENTAUR

For all intents and purposes the Centaur is a dedicated competitive groupset and you feel it right away: carbon fibre on the Ergopower controls and rear derailleur, Ultra-Torque crankset and Skeleton brakes.

Ergopower controls. The new Ergopower Centaur controls are all of 70 grams lighter thanks to the use of marvellous brakes in carbon fibre woven at 90° and the new Campagnolo Escape mechanism.
The Centaur version is of the QS type for a prompt rear derailleur response.

Ultra-Torque crankset. Centaur adopts the top of the range of aluminium Ultra-Torque cranksets. The cranks are made to a new design which maximizes the benefits of rigidity and of the transmission of drive torque of the new Campagnolo system. Also new are the CNC-machined aluminium sprockets which further enhance the shifting operations, both upwards and downwards.
The Ultra-Torque Centaur crankset is available with 39/53 and 34/50 toothing and lengths of 170 172.5 and 175 mm.

Skeleton brakes. The 2007 version of Centaur will also be adopting differentiated Skeleton brakes. This option reduces the weight of the groupset even further and, thanks to the differentiated braking system, guarantees a reduction of the stopping distances and increased safety.

11-25 sprocket cassette. A new combination dedicated to compact crankset users which provides a broader range of ratios, ideal both for the toughest climbs and for the fastest and pedalable descents.


SKELETON BRAKES

Campagnolo Skeleton brakes constitute the rational evolution of the previous braking system. The result is a lighter system with superior performance.
Campagnolo brakes have always been a benchmark in terms of performance, lightness and longevity. It was therefore difficult to improve them except by picking up the project again and analyzing every detail in order to identify the strong points and the improvable features. The Skeleton brakes project sprang from this in-depth analysis.

Design. After a careful study carried out with data recorders mounted on a bicycle it was possible to determine the points of greatest stress in the brake and those where there was none. That study gave life to the design of the Skeleton brakes which have increased rigidity at the points of greatest stress while the material is lightened where there is no stress. This new design led to a reduction in weight and a gain in performance.

Forging. As with the previous model, Skeleton brakes are made by forging. The reason Campagnolo remains faithful to this technology, is that forging maintains the micro-crystalline structure of the aluminium alloy unchanged and this is the main factor in the life of a component. This is not the case with CNC machining which, on the one hand, makes it possible to realize lighter components with attractive forms, on the other hand it breaks the structure of the alloy and makes the component more vulnerable to the phenomena of cracking and breaking with fatigue.

Differentiated brakes. Campagnolo realized the first Dual brakes (differentiated brakes) in 2002 following a study of racing bike braking dynamics. The study clearly showed how, taking 100 as the braking value, the front brake is stressed 70% and the rear one only 30%. It was immediately clear that the rear brake was oversized for its workload. Campagnolo's engineers therefore realized a single-fulcrum brake to modulate braking at the rear and prevent dangerous locking of the back wheel even in emergency situations. The result was exceptional, both in terms of the safety obtained and in the reduction of the stopping distance. It was in fact noted that, as there was no risk of locking the rear wheel, the cyclist can act on both brakes without concern and stop the bike without the risk of dangerous swerving.
This is the reason why all Skeleton brakes are of the differentiated type.