In today's cycling where everything runs at very high speeds and the quality standards are very high, there is a part of the bicycle that cyclically evolves in an important way: the groupsetsAnd this time let's take a closer look. the chain, an element that is often overlookedTo have them explain how they are produced and how they evolve, we spoke with Giacomo Sartore, Product Manager of the groups Campagnolo.
A complex element
The chain is the mechanical element that we all… mistreat a little, because it is often dirty and because it seems very simple to build, but in reality it hides a great deal of workmanship.
«The chain is one of the things least considered by cyclists – begins Giacomo Sartore – but in reality there is a world behind its production. To begin with, let's say that a chain is made up of 118 inner stitches, 118 outer stitches, plus pins. However, not all chains have 118 links: some are born from 114. It depends on the models or the specific requirements."
Narrow spaces
A chain is therefore composed of a large number of elements, but the spaces are narrow: «In modern 12 or 13 speed chains the tolerances are less than a micronLet's pair the internal and external meshes so that they have the exact same dimensions down to the micron, to have a perfect “match” between all the pieces and guarantee robustness and resistance to all types of wear."
Made in Vicenza
Campagnolo is a company that cares deeply about maintaining its ties with its local area.
«Research and development are done in Campagnolo – continues Sartore – each chain is born in Vicenza and they are all hot lubricated in one ultrasonic tankIn practice we immerse the chains in a lubricating solution heated between 95 and 100 degrees for half an hour. This operation is used to ensure that the grease gets into every stitch, false stitch and pin».
The pursuit of maximum performance leads to high-precision manufacturing: «Each pin is drilled one by one in a microscopic space. It is done a half hole from below and one from above to preserve resistanceIt must be considered that a chain must be able to support between 1.500 and 2.000 Watts at times of maximum effort. All this is done to save 0,2 grams per pin for a total of 25 grams».
Materials and thicknesses change
But one question we asked Sartore was how have today's chains changed compared to those of a 10-speed?
«In 10-speed chains compared to 12-speed the materials of the external mesh and the thicknesses changeThe “new” material was chosen to guarantee the same characteristics of resistance and durability. The sprockets have also undergone changes in the material and in the production process, both in terms of manufacturing and treatments to guarantee the quality standards that Campagnolo sets itself."
The aspect that intrigued us a lot is that the chain and sprockets are designed and developed together as if they were a single piece.
Going into the specifics of the material used, the Campagnolo Product Manager continues with the explanation.
«Today's chains – he says – are made with high carbon steel.Since steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, the more carbon there is, the stiffer and stronger the material is.
To ensure that the chains can withstand the most extreme tensions, before assembly, each piece is subjected to a Teflon nickel surface treatment.
Test very strict
Obviously Campagnolo has a testing department in which all the members of the groups are put to the test.
«The specific tests that characterise the chain and other components are regulated by the ISO4210 standard – Giacomo Sartore continues to explain to us – Campagnolo, in addition to carrying out what is required by the legislation, imposes certain higher quality and resistance limits, adding further tests. Going into specifics there is the test of the tensile strength which measures the maximum load that can be applied to the chain before it breaks. fatigue resistance It is tested on a tool built by Campagnolo that simulates the life of the chain on a bicycle. A test is also performed that performs tension and de-tension cycles with a pre-set loadHere too, the wear of the chain is measured until it is completely worn out. These are just some of the tests we perform. The goal is always to ensure the maximum performance both in terms of resistance, durability and quality».
