The Italian Campagnolo had been number 1 in cycling since the 1960s with their Record, Nuovo Record, Sport and Gran Sport groups and in 1973 they took it one step further with the launch of the Super Record group. An excellent group and still very sought after by collectors and not so easy to find.
Titanium instead of steel
The Super Record group 1st generation is very similar to its predecessor, the Nuovo Record, but can be distinguished by the black anodized parts on the rear derailleur and pedals.
The groupset is also much lighter due to the use of the light alloy Ergal (7075 aluminum alloy) and titanium for the screws on the derailleurs, for the bottom bracket axle, the pedals and the wheel hubs. The light alloy Ergal is also used for the headset and the cups of the bracket.
The rear derailleur weighed only 200 grams, a very light weight at the time.
The brake levers are provided with holes, also to reduce weight and the seat post is no longer flat but has notches. These also provide a weight saving, but also an aesthetically better view.
The 1st version also has the clamp band to attach the shifters and the front derailleur to the frame and the clamp bands for attaching the rear brake cable to the top tube, but not much later these mounts were welded directly to the frame.
A new version in 1979
In 1979 the Super Record got a new look. The sides of the rear derailleur are still anodized black but the Super Record name disappears and only Campagnolo remains on a black background this time.
The new Super Record rear derailleur as seen in the 1979 catalog
The front derailleur has now also been anodised in part, but is especially lighter due to the initial 4 holes, but not much later only 3.
The seatpost has remained the same at first sight, but if you look closely you will see that there is now only 1 bolt left to secure the saddle. The slope control has also changed slightly.
The Campagnolo Super Record group was produced until 1987 when it reappeared in 2008 with an 11-speed derailleur.
Just as Dura Ace is still Shimano's best group, Super Record is still Campagnolo's best group.
