My take on the new Campagnolo Power Torque System

After watching the 1:56 minute video of the new Power Torque System that can be found here in their Lab Tech section of the Campagnolo website and looking beyond the stunning video clips and the driving music, I had a handful of questions.  But first, take a look at the video....

 

Initially, these specific things came to mind...

0:55 - Integrated Axle in the Right Crankset  hmmm... where have I seen this before?!?  Oh that's right... Shimano, SRAM, Truvative, FSA...

1:00  - Coupling System that Cancel Any Possible Play  Possible play?!?  Really?!?  you mean like this..

 

Na... it can't be.  All of that axial play is completely normal.  (here, you look thirsty, have some more Kool-Aid...)  Anyway, what I'm getting at is that the folks at Campy with this statement wouldn't be admitting any possible problems with the Ultra-Torque System design... would they?!?

1:05 - Optimized Spacers for an Extremely Light and Stiff Axle  For the life of me, I can't see what optimized spacers have to do with the axle being light and stiff... Maybe I'm missing something... help please?!?

1:10 - Easy and Quick Assembly and Maintanence  Really?!?

Note to video producers: At approx 1:14 you forgot to install the holding clip (fig 9 in the installation manual and at approx 1:19, you forgot to install the spring under the gasket (fig 11 in the installation manual).  Just wanted to bring that to your attention.

1:31 - Without any Additional Dedicated Tool... Well, that's kinda accurate, for assembly, but make sure that you have a 14mm hex handy.

Now when you want to perform maintanence, you will need a good quality gear puller/extractor, a cloth (so that you don't chew up the NDS crankarm), AND the Campagnolo UT-FC090 tool.  Wait a second... I thought that you won't need any "dedicated" tools?!?  I think that kids these days call this a "fail".

In closing, I wonder if or when Power Torque is going to replace Ultra Torque... Why have two different systems when one is supposed to be so much better than everything else out there.  Hmmm...just wondering...

So, these are just my thoughts.  As always, I welcome any comments.  Please tell me where I might be off-base.  Thanks for checking in!  -John

Comments

[קידום אתרים]

Amazing video shared by you here. I watch both video and both are very interesting, it says regarding torque systems. Thanks for sharing these.

[jason]

The mechanic at my LBS noticed the same similarity between power torque and SRAM's GXP. For the life of me, I cannot see a difference. I am not a big fan of the SRAM/truvativ technology; my crank arm kept coming loose. I am leaning toward the pinch bolt that Shimano uses.

However, on the UT, I have had a nice time with it. Again, my trusted LBS tells me the trouble with UT is people not installing it correctly. He did not elaborate, so I am not sure what he means. In any event, my UT is great and I think it is an elegant solution.

[Randy Giusta]

John,
Thanks for scrutinizing. You do obviously need a 14mm Allen and a bearing puller, but neither of these is "dedicated", so technically they are correct. The Ultra Torque does not develop play if the Bottom Bracket is milled to the proper specs. This needs to be very carefully done, but if you have proper frame prep tools, it is not problem. Almost no frames come properly milled and faced, and most shops do not do the necessary work prior to building.

[Rodrigo]

Everything that was written in this site is true! I had a lot, lot of problems with my ultra torque cranks.... used washers to try to fix it but.... it´s not ok until now... anyway, I just ordered a shimano ultegra cranks and will replace my campy! I saw the power torque sistem and thought its not ok!!!!

[Bill]

I noticed that Zinn made these comments:
However, from what I have found out, that puller tool shown in the video is made by Cyclus in Erfurt, Germany and is not currently available in the USA. In fact, it does not appear on the Cyclus website yet. Furthermore, Campagnolo recommends against using that tool on a carbon crankarm, since it could mar the carbon, so I am not at all sure how one would remove a carbon Power Torque arm currently without damaging it.
Lennard

I also noticed that the puller is listed on the Eura Asia import site, but no price is listed, and it says "Please call for availability"...........Uh Oh.

Why, oh why, did campy change from a good square taper bottom bracket?

G.

[Matt]

Hope you're enjoying the warm glow of being right John! Maybe your charming Roadbikereview friend would like to retract his "ass clown" comment now? Still not sure what one of those is though...