For years, Campagnolo's shift thumb button was an unmistakable part of the Italian brand's Ergopower levers. Indeed, over the years, the button has often been a key point of contention in heated discussions among cyclists about groupset manufacturers.

Campagnolo appears to be working on a new Super Record groupset that will do away with the iconic and long-standing thumb shifter button and adopt wireless technology in the Italian brand's new groupset, which will be available since 2019.

In a story first shared on the internet forum weight weenies, there appears to be evidence that Campagnolo is trying to obtain a license to sell wireless electrical systems in the US. To quote the Federal Communications Commission website, "The FCC is responsible for administering and licensing the electromagnetic spectrum for commercial users and non-commercial users, including state, county, and local governments." In other words, in order to bring an electronic product to market, it must first be licensed.

On the FCC website, under the application name PRJ-330 ERGOPOWER CONTROLS + CALIPERS, several documents regarding electrical testing can be viewed.

New photos clearly show Campagnolo's new shifter, which appears to be a Super Record model without the thumb shifter button. There appear to be two small paddle shifter buttons along with a brake lever. The shifter appears to use a CR2023 coin cell battery, mimicking the wireless products of Shimano and SRAM.

Also, the shifter pictured is not as tall as the current Super Record models and appears to be similar in design to the Campagnolo shifters of yesteryear.

Campagnolo has also recently filed a patent (US 2023/0031666 A1) indicating plans for a shifter design using coin cell batteries, indicating that they are at least considering developing a wireless electronic shift lever.

SRAM and Shimano already offer wireless and semi-wireless group sets, and as system integration on road bikes increases, wireless shifters would make life much easier, especially in the cockpit area. Various cable issues are eliminated, opening the way for other design concepts.

Simply combining a wireless shifter with a derailleur makes life a lot easier these days when building a high-end road bike with integrated cabling. Campagnolo has apparently been planning this development for some time in order to make their equipment fit the manufacturer's handlebar and cockpit designs.

Also, northwestbicycle's website lists several new wireless groupset components.

Several components are listed as "Campagnolo Super Record WRL," which seems to imply wireless. Campagnolo appears to have announced a 10-tooth cassette sprocket and lower chainset gear options including 29/45T/32/48T/34/50T. This appears to be similar to SRAM's X-range gearing system. However, it is possible that larger chainrings will be manufactured for pro riders using this equipment.

There also appears to be a new disc rotor from Campagnolo, with the "new generation" Campagnolo Super Record WRL centerlock discs listed in 140mm and 160mm diameters.

Nothing is certain at this stage, but perhaps these new ratios may signal the beginning of a new era for Campagnolo, with a focus on more adventure/endurance/gravel-friendly gearing.

We don't know when this new Super Record WRL will be available, but probably this year. It will probably be rolled out for this year's Tour de France.

News of the patent and FCC license indicate that things are ticking along, and we will likely keep an eye on the wild prototypes used by riders on the Campagnolo-sponsored AG2R Citroen team in the coming months.