CARLSBAD, CA (BRAIN)—In light of recent news reports on the release of Campagnolo’s 11-speed electric group, company officials issued a statement emphasizing that its electric drivetrain is still a prototype.
Reports of Campy’s new electric group began circulating the web following the Giro D’Italia 2011 route presentation where the Italian component maker showcased the group on a Pinarello bike.
“Sure we now have an electric 11-speed version of our electric group, but it is still in development with the Pro Tour teams we sponsor. It is not in production,” said Dan Mayer, Campagnolo’s technical marketing manager. “The only change in the development of our electronic group is that we are sponsoring the entire Movistar/Pinarello Pro Tour team, whereas before we only offered the group to individual Pro Tour riders.”
Campy has been developing an electric drivetrain since filing a patent for an electric derailleur in 1994, the same year Mavic launched Zap, its electric drivetrain system. Riders on Liquigas, Lampre, Saeco and other professional teams have raced on earlier 10-speed versions of Campy’s electric group in the ’07 and ’08 Giro as well as other Pro Tour and amateur races.
Campy showed its prototype 11-speed system at Eurobike this year. If development of the group by Movistar/Pinarello goes well next year, the company hints that its electric drivetrain may finally make its way into consumer hands.
—Matt Wiebe
mwiebe@bicycleretailer.com
