2009 Gruppos

2009 Dura-Ace:
By now most of you have probably heard and read about the 2009 Dura-Ace and if you haven't, the Shimano Dura-Ace site has a couple of downloads to answer your lingering questions. There will be some compatibility issues between Dura-Ace 2009 and Dura-Ace 2008 and previous. You can check out the compatibility flow-chart here.


2009 Campagnolo:
Hot on the heels of SRAM's revised Rival & the new Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 comes Campy's bombshell of 11 speed Super Record. Most of the buzz that I've read out on the interweb has focused on the new Super Record, but it is clear even from the initial leaks that almost the entire Campagnolo family has been retooled and upgraded for 2009.
The Super Record has stolen the spotlight for good reason: the few photos out there show a dramatically textured brake hood, a new 11 speed cassette which necessitates the new 5.5mm wide chain, ceramic bearings throughout, & a new brake lever shape.
The new Chorus and the new Record will also move to 11 speed. Centaur will be produced in carbon or aluminum variations. Veloce will be ErgoPower and UltraShift Ergo. The exact meaning of "UltraShift Ergo" has yet to be determined, but the rumor mill has initially decided that "UltraShift Ergo" will involve a new shift lever & ratio mechanism.

2009 FSA:
It appears as if Shimano, Campagnolo, & SRAM will soon be welcoming FSA into the ranks of gruppo manufacturers. The FSA gruppo information is in even shorter supply than the information about Shimano and Campy, but the new FSA gruppo will be 11 speed and is scheduled to make its debut at Eurobike. We'll keep you updated as we learn more.