Campagnolo is set to expand its family of 11 speed groupsets this summer by introducing the Athena 11 speed groupset. The new Athena groupset will be slotted right underneath Chrous and be Campagnolo’s entry level 11-speed groupset. The design and technical aspects are reportedly the same as those of the other three 11 speed groupsets: Super Record, Record, and Chorus. With shifting and performance said to be exactly identical to the rest of the range. The major difference being that Athena will be mainly aluminum, with an optional carbon crank.

The aluminum Athena 11s groupset comes in at 2,352 grams in the standard version and will be priced at $1415 when it arrives in early July. The optional carbon crank version of the group will add an additional $175 to the price tag, but sheds 113 grams on the overall groupset.

Photos and specs available on the following pages…

Finally seen in person, the rumored Athena 11 Speed groupset is real. RoadBikeReview forum member Kwantani snapped a few pictures of the newest 11 speed groupset in the wild tonight. Looks like the levers get the carbon treatment, while the rest of the kit is silver alloy. We’re assuming Athena will be the “entry” level into 11 speed for the upcoming season, though this has not been confirmed. Neither has a release date. But stay tuned… we’ll find out. Confirmed now for release in Fall of ‘09. Athena will in fact be the entry level into Campy 11 for 2010. We’re also told that the levers are basically alloy Centaur levers wrapped in thin carbon. If that’s so, we’re hoping there will be an option of carbon or silver for the levers.

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Brian Sarmiento introducing Super Record at Interbike

For 2009, Campagnolo is “Raising the Level” and introducing not one, not two, but three groupsets in the 11 speed variety. Super Record, Record, and Chorus will all be available in 11 speed. And after Brian from Campagnolo stopped by our offices this past summer to introduce Super Record, we were pretty anxious to get our hands on a group to see if it lives up to expectations. And high expectations they are… for Campagnolo isn’t just any bike company. For those not familiar with the story, it all started on the famous Croce D’Aune climb, where Tulio Campagnolo, in 1927 tried to change a rear tire, with his hands frozen, he became frustrated and yelled, “There must be an easier way…” (in italian of course) And there began the first idea for the quick release. It would be the beginning of a long line of invention and innovation from Campagnolo. Not only in the bike industry, but in the automotive, military, and even NASA has collaborated with Campagnolo. But history aside…

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