CAMPAGNOLO RECORD EPS H11 DB
£3676.85 › Electronic hydraulic groupset
CAMPAGNOLO WAS FIRST WITH 11-SPEED in 2009, two years later came EPS electronic shifting, then in early 2017 its long-awaited disc brakes debuted. Despite Shimano and SRAM beating the company to market, the Italians refused to release their system until they felt it was superior to the competition.
Campagnolo developed the small hydraulic master cylinder and mineral oil flow system with brake experts Magura. Rather than create different levels of disc calliper for each groupset, the forged aluminium flat mount-only units come in two sizes, for 140mm or 160mm rotors, and are designed to fit without spacers or adaptors.
The H11 designation refers to the disc brakespecific components that combine with the existing mechs, cassette and chain of all 11-speed Super Record and Record groupsets. Controlling the callipers are all-new carbon levers, which retain the familiar thumb and forefinger shift levers, double curved brake lever, and excellent ergonomics, despite their 8mm height increase to accommodate the master cylinder.
The taller hoods make a fine hand hold when powering along on the flat, and the brake lever and shift paddle are both easily reach adjustable.
Intuitive shifting from independently-sited levers and brake levers that work for all hands are the ideal gateway to instant, precision cog swapping and truly impressive brakes. Campagnolo’s hydraulics are mostly silent when applied, with only a low pitched hum under repeated heavy braking, and no loss of effectiveness. But the pads have never rubbed or not fully released, and have proved the most trouble-free we’ve used.
We’ve found the braking power available with relatively low hand force to be greater than the competition, and easy modulated, with no fade even on hot, lengthy descents. The rest of the H11 and Record EPS components work seamlessly together. By downloading the MyCampy 2.0 app to your phone, you can connect to EPS via Bluetooth and alter each shift lever’s function and speed, diagnose faults, record the usage of every component and more. The only aesthetic issue is its external control box, which contains the charging port and status LEDs. Although the H11 components will continue, the launch of Campagnolo’s 12-speed mechanical groupsets means that 12-speed EPS may be on the horizon. Record EPS H11 DB isn’t a cheap option, priced a little higher than Shimano Dura-Ace R9170 Di2 and far more expensive than SRAM Red eTap HRD, but it’s customisable, with sensational shifting and the best road hydraulic disc brakes yet.
WE SAY Adds superb disc brakes to the already excellent EPS drivetrain