First look: Campagnolo H11 Super Record road disc brake groupset and Bora One 35 DB wheels

In for a long-term test is Italian component and wheel manufacture Campagnolo’s new hydraulic disc groupset. The Campagnolo H11 crankset, flat-mount calipers and mechanical Ergopower levers are being run through their paces with the Bora One 35 DB wheelset and Super Record 11 derailleurs. The top-end Italian groupset has been built on an equally striking hand made in the U.S. No. 22 Aurora.

A long term test of Campy’s H11 disc groupo required a fitting platform to put it on. The No. 22 Aurora is a handmade in the U.S. titanium frameset which nicely blends the characteristics of a thoroughbred race machine and an adventure bike very elegantly. With 12 mm thru axles, a carbon seat mast, flat mount disc brake mounts, a carbon fork and loads of clearance compliments the H11 wonderfully.

RELATED: First look: No. 22 Aurora

Campagnolo’s Ergopower levers have undergone slight changes to accommodate the master cylinder of a hydraulic brake system, which was developed with the help of German company Magura. The master cylinder adds 8 mm to the height of the lever. Otherwise, the curvy carbon blades still offer the same comfortable hold for braking and are aesthetically quite attractive.

The mechanical Super Record 11 derailleurs are operated using the familiar one lever-one action principle which allows the rider to make multiple shifts smoothly. The ergonomic feel which makes operating a Campy equipped bike so pleasant stays the same. The extra height on the lever even gives more to hold onto over rough roads.

Adjustability in the Ergopower levers is plentiful with brake lever reach, shift lever reach and brake lever throw all easily changed to suit the riders hand size and preference. The Easton EC 90 carbon bars and 110 mm Easton EA 90 stem are light and stiff to finish the cockpit.

Campagnolo only offer 160 mm rotors up front but in the back the choice is yours with a 140 mm and 160 mm rotor offered. Depending on your preference there is a calipre to match to ensure the need for no spacers. For testing purposes, we went with the 160 mm rotor up front which offers plenty of power to scrub speed and the smaller 140 mm rotor in back which is certainly sufficiently powerful.

The twin-pistons are made from phenolic resin which prevents heat built up from making it into the hydraulic system. Servicing the brakes is straight forward with a mechanically sound and thoughtful design. The brakes use mineral oil.

Aesthetically, the matte black flat-mount forged aluminium calipers are clean and compact. They mounted seamlessly onto the No. 22 Aurora frame with the rotor really catching our eye as being particularly simple and attractive.

RELATED: Debut of the new Campagnolo H11 disc brakes

With rear disc brake hubs pushing the cassette a few milimetres outboard, Campagnolo have designed the H11 offset disc-specific crankset to optimize the chainline while keeping the same Q-factor. The molded carbon H11 crank pairs nicely with the other components. We went with a compact 50/34 chainrings to give the bike the versatility to take up the steepest of climbs.

 

Super Record 11 derailleurs handle moving the chain across the 11-29 cassette and crankset with precision. The rear derailleur has a carbon fiber front and cage plate.

The build is finished with a Campagnolo’s Bora One 35 DB wheelset. The front and back wheel both get the G3 spoke lacing pattern that is designed to counter the forces when braking is applied to the rotors. The aero carbon wheels are light weight, have a 24.2 mm external width and a 17 mm internal width. To ensure the everything roll smooth the hubs are forged aluminum with USB hybrid ceramic bearings and feature an easily adjustable preload. The wheels look very sharp with Challenge Strada Bianca 30 mm gum wall tires.