2013 Campagnolo Athena EPS – Italian Components Trickle Down Electronic Shifting, UPDATED!
Campagnolo has just introduced their second electronic group, Athena EPS, a mere nine months after introducing Record and Super Record EPS (but about 20 years after first dreaming up battery powered shifting).
By using aluminum parts rather than carbon, the Athena EPS group brings the price of Italian electric shifting down a few pegs, putting it in reach of more cyclists. Functionality is the same, meaning you can shift one or more (or all) gears with a single button depression by merely holding the shifter longer. It keeps the “Ride Back Home” crash protection, letting you put it in a reasonable gear manually should you wreck and the system becomes disabled.
UPDATE: Athena EPS will start shipping in Spring 2013, and pricing will be announced at Eurobike.
More on the 11-speed power group below…
The front derailleur uses a “special aluminum alloy” rather than carbon. It has the same auto-trim feature to keep the chain from rubbing you the wrong way.
Ergonomics on the shifter levers are the same as Record/Super Record EPS, which means button shape and angle is slightly different than the mechanical groups. We’ve ridden the Super Record EPS group extensively this summer and have been pretty impressed with its ability to discern a proper (intentional) shift versus and accidental bump when shifting hand position.
It’ll use the same DTI battery as the higher end groups.
Updated Weights:
We’re waiting to hear back on pricing and availability and will update as soon as we get it. There are also some new wheels we’ll post shortly…
Comments
What about Chorus EPS?
Now we’re talkin’!
This is great and all, but I’d rather not have “Athena” on my bike. It just strikes me as being meant for the ladies.
Steve,
I’d have a goddess grace my bike anytime. Oh, and I do.
Now , how about 1X 11 electronic groupset for MTB, as in a combo of this and the new SRAM.
I don’t know how robust this elctronic groupset is , but 1X11 would obviously simplify the front a lot.
This looks nice but I have to wonder how these electronic derailliurs will cope with the cycles of degreasing and re oiling in my monthly cleaning regime, especially in winter when our roads are mostly salt.
Dave, I would keep solvents away from seals and plastics, just like I keep it away from my hubs and the bottom bracket. Considering what Campagnolo had to deal with during development, I would just put a dollop of soap on the derailleur, strap it to a rooftop bike rack and drive down the alps while it’s raining.
If you haven’t ridden Athena then maybe hold off on the negative comments until you have. It is definitely a very nice groupo. I have Dura Ace on one bike, however my Bottecchia Super 8Avio has Athena, and the Sarto I am building will either have Athena EPS or Shimano Di2. I actually like the shifting on the Athena over the D/A. Chorus would be great in EPS, but I think Campy is doing the right thing by NOT offering it in every groupo. Athena is totally a nice set-up, and honestly if I am not racing there is no need for me to have anything above Chorus. However it isn’t offered in EPS, so I will opt for the Athena. It’s a no-brainer.