Differences between Athena 11-speed Power Torque cranksets?
 

I'm trying to price up various groupsets, one of which is Athena 11-sp. I know where I am with the Shimano numbering system (5500/5600/5700 etc) but Campagnolo doesn't seem to have such a straightforward convention for different models.

Anyway, I'm getting a bit confused by the various descriptions I see for cranksets specifically at different retailers, which also means I'm confused about whether I'm comparing the same item on price.

Some of them are described as the Athena 'EVO' crankset, others specifically listed as 'EPS' or 'EPS-compatible'. A few retailers list manufacturer part numbers, and I do seem to find numbers starting with both FC13 and FC11 (which I believe indicates Campy's model year). For what it's worth, if you look at the Athena EPS group on Campagnolo.com and then the non-EPS group, clicking the crankset on either one takes you to the same page. So I suspect whether the component is sold as 'EPS-compatible' or not doesn't mean anything (and I'm not interested in EPS). But 'EVO' I can't understand at all...

I'm not sure if there is any meaningful difference between any of these parts, and / or if there are any differences at all since the 2011 model year (which is when they switched to Power-Torque, I think). Does anyone know?

Thanks!

Perhaps it would be helpful to look at the catalog or technical spec pdf's here: http://www.campagnolo.com/jsp/en/groupset/catid_13.jsp

That EVO acronym is obscure. I can't find it in the catalog, not even among the trademarks at the end. Looks like it is stamped on some of the chainrings in pictures on-line. The closest trademarked terms is "Even-O" having to do with the FD clamp design. Now I'm (idly) curious. Can't wait for spring!

Past catalogs are available at the documents tab on the homepage

Just find an NOS Athena Ultra Torque crank from 2008-2010. It's awesome, and can be installed or removed in 5 seconds using a bolt you probably already have. If you don't have the bolt, you can buy one for $6. If you want to ever remove the Power Torque crank, your minimum expense on the NDS puller from Park is around $50 USD. Kind of spotty trying to find the Athena UT in compact, but you can find a used standard every day on eBay for ~$150 USD and a brand new one for ~$200.

Every Athena crank, PT or UT, since 2008, is "EPS compatible."

Thanks for that. And yeah, I know the Power Torque doesn't get much love re the hassle of removing it! I'll have a look...

I did also follow Cranky Old Road's suggestion to look at past catalogs. From 2011 (i.e. the Power Torque era) the markings in the pictures look exactly the same, the feature descriptions are exactly the same and the weight (not given in the 2011 catalog but listed as 736g in the '12, '13 and '14) is also exactly the same. I don't think it's changed.

I think that over those years you stated, there were absolutely no functional or mechanical differences between PT cranks of ANY series, Veloce, Centaur, Athena, or the CX1x . The chain rings used I believe did have some physical changes, and depending on how they were re-built by retailers, you can find older (i.e. 2011, 12) NOS models with the newer rings. Maybe that's just a French thing.

However, there were some cosmetic differences in Veloce and CX1x, not sure about Centaur or Athena.

That's strange, since the Xenon Exa-Drive, of which I would personally pay you not to use, did have some physical changes over the product life cycle. Maybe you saw "Exa" as it's often abbreviated and saw "Exo." I think Mirage used that Exa-Drive as well, and also had physical changes. I am the King of Campy Fanboys, but if you're looking at Xenon or Mirage, well, you'd be far better off with Sora. Shudder to think.

I know 11 sounds cool, but if you're okay with Power Torque, and will never need to remove your crank, then Centaur would make a very respectable build. Even if you're heart-set on 11, a Centaur 10 speed crank will do everything an Athena 11 will do, except say "11" on it. :)