Campagnolo unveils long-awaited first power meter

Campagnolo has made its long-awaited entry into the power meter market, unveiling a new spider-based system dubbed HPPM – or High Precision Power Measurement.

The HPPM power meter is made up of 16 strain gauges housed in the ‘spokes’ of the crankset, with a claimed accuracy of＋/- 1%, and joins the top-end Super Record Wireless groupset.

The new offering fills an eagerly-anticipated gap in the Italian brand’s line-up, with chief groupset rivals Shimano and SRAM already boasting in-house integrated power meter systems.

Talk of a Campagnolo power meter has rumbled on for years, through various patents and a few leaked photographs. Last year's launch of the new Super Record Wireless – the electronic version of the brand’s top-of-the-range road groupset – came with a cut-out within the crank arm itself, and a power meter was indeed spotted in that very position in a leaked bike listing earlier this year.

However, what has been unveiled by Campagnolo as their first-ever power meter is in fact a spider-based system, with the power sensors housed in the connection between the crank arm and the chainrings.

© Campagnolo

A closer look at the new power meter

The HPPM Super Record Wireless crankset, which features the 'Ultra-Torque' combination of titanium axle and unidirectional carbon fibre crank arms, will retail at $2,449, or €2,240 (exact UK pricing not confirmed). It will be available in three different crank lengths (170mm, 172.5mm, 175mm), as well as three chainring configurations (45/29t, 48/32t, 50/32t).

In terms of weight, the 172.5mm-45/29 option tips the scales at 656 grams.

“This addition not only enriches Campagnolo's product lineup but also emphasizes its commitment to delivering supremely accurate data to enhance training and racing for passionate riders,” read a press release from Campagnolo.

How it works

The HPPM power meter comes with the standard claims over accuracy, along with a technical breakdown to support them.

The 16 sensors detect torque throughout the pedal stroke, and that data is integrated with ‘real-time angular velocity data’ provided by an in-built gyroscope. Both of these values are measured every five milliseconds and fed through a ‘tailored algorithm’ to offer “exceptional data interpretation”, according to Campagnolo.

© Campagnolo

The new HPPM Super Record crankset, plus cable

The system operates at a frequency of 200 hertz and the precision claims are enhanced by the use of a Wheatstone Bridge electrical circuit.

The power meter comes with Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity, as well as a new companion app, My Campy 3.0, which enables system calibration and live battery readings.

A fully charged HPPM power meter will be good for over a month of riding at 500km per week, says Campagnolo, with a complete recharge taking four hours and using the same magnetic charging port as existing Campagnolo wireless groupsets.

Campagnolo

Campagnolo is one of the world’s leading components manufacturers. The company specialises in groupsets, both mechanical and electrical, as well as wheels for road, gravel, triathlon and track bikes.