Ekar or Chorus

[makoti]

Originally Posted by GonaSovereign

I find the choice is often regional and depends on the amount of versatility you expect from the bike.
Looks like we're in the same region. I typically ride to the trails and appreciate a bike with gearing that works in a paceline as well as on single track and steep stuff.
I've ridden 1X and always go back to 2X for its significantly better range of gears. You get the range, but don't need to tolerate the gaps.

This is true if you try to run 1x with 10 or even 11.
The issue is much less if you go with 12, and practically non-existent if you get 13. If they ever push a 14+ back there, 2x will be dead.

[avalonracing]

Originally Posted by makoti

This is true if you try to run 1x with 10 or even 11.
The issue is much less if you go with 12, and practically non-existent if you get 13. If they ever push a 14+ back there, 2x will be dead.

And with that you get heavier cassettes, heavier long-cage derailleurs, poor chainlines, thinner (weaker) chains, and it will still have larger gaps between gears than a 2x.

Sounds great!

[herb5998]

When I first built my gravel frame, I ran 2x11 Mechanical, with the Chorus 12 32/48 crank and an 11-32 Campag cassette, it was good, no issues with the performance.

I swapped out to Ekar at the end of 2022, and I really enjoy it. Currently running a 38t front ring, and 9-42 cassette. Tons of range for the gravel we have here, and mixed surface riding. On more technical terrain, it's nice not to have to worry about chain drop. Set up and fine tuning is a little more involved than 11s Campagnolo, but once dialed, it's really relatable and consistent.

Brake performance is the same across both groups, so I'd say it's really up to your riding conditions and personal preferences for drivetrain.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by avalonracing

And with that you get heavier cassettes, heavier long-cage derailleurs, poor chainlines, thinner (weaker) chains, and it will still have larger gaps between gears than a 2x.

Sounds great!

Sigh.
13:
You also do away with a FD, a heavier Left shifter body, an extra cable to install and break, never heard of a 13 chain breaking, and the gaps are on the largest cogs, when you are likely looking for a big difference in your gearing, anyway.
Chainline? Not a problem.
Stick to 2x. It's pointless, but you like it.

[Grifter23]

I have a mix of Chorus 48/32 cable 12pd/Ekar rear derailleur/SRAM 10/44 cassette for bikepacking. And yes everything works fine mixing 12/13 spd. I am using 12 spd Chorus chain. The shifting does feel stiffer than with the Chorus rear derailleur. And the front Chorus derailleur says it can’t take a tire bigger than 35mm. I have 43mm but everything is really tight between the tire and cage. I think it depends on the build. The Ekar cups on the bottom bracket have a plastic sealed cup between the bearing caps. It seals out the water. The Chorus does not. I had rust dust on the cranks when I pulled them apart. So I will put in the Ekar bearing caps when I get a chance.

If I was just doing gravel riding I would stick to Ekar. But if you’re bikepacking the Ekar will not have low enough gearing. You would need to change out the front crank to either a 34 or 32. Or you will be pushing more than you need. The new GT is getting closer with the 10-46. But it’s not low enough in my option.

[C40_guy]

Glad I found this thread...

Full disclosure: I started riding Campy five years after Nuovo Record was introduced

I built up a Litespeed Watia with Ekar in the spring and have been riding it mostly on the gravel paths and singletrack near me. Not a lot of vert. Ekar has been fabulous, although I did run out of gears (1-1) on the hills in western Mass last month.

I'm moving over to a Moots Routt 45 and am thinking about Campy 12 Mechanical with disc.

I can still get to 1-1 gearing (or better, I have a Chorus 48/32 crankset on the shelf, and a 34 low cassette).

I also put a 42 low on some 650B wheels, so I'll be slightly better than 1-1 with those.

Frankly I enjoy the simplicity of 1X gearing. Hmmm...Maybe that's my answer.

Or not...

[AngryScientist]

I would stick with eKar for offroad use.

It was designed with offroad use in mind and i think the components will be a little more durable long term with harsher running environment.

I'm all in on 38t chainring and 42 out back.

Good enough to get up Lincoln!

[RemixRob4]

I've been curious to do a 34/36 tooth with the 9-42 in the rear - I think that would really set me up for everything I do - I'm never in a Paceline anyways (700c fyi)

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

I can still get to 1-1 gearing (or better, I have a Chorus 48/32 crankset on the shelf, and a 34 low cassette).

Even better, splurge on a SR WRL crankset with 45-29, should be able to get up anything with 29-34.

But frankly I'm finding Ekar excellent for allroad use; still prefer 2x on the road but I can always find an Ekar gear that works well enough.

[vespasianus]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

Glad I found this thread...

Full disclosure: I started riding Campy five years after Nuovo Record was introduced

I built up a Litespeed Watia with Ekar in the spring and have been riding it mostly on the gravel paths and singletrack near me. Not a lot of vert. Ekar has been fabulous, although I did run out of gears (1-1) on the hills in western Mass last month.

I'm moving over to a Moots Routt 45 and am thinking about Campy 12 Mechanical with disc.

I can still get to 1-1 gearing (or better, I have a Chorus 48/32 crankset on the shelf, and a 34 low cassette).

I also put a 42 low on some 650B wheels, so I'll be slightly better than 1-1 with those.

Frankly I enjoy the simplicity of 1X gearing. Hmmm...Maybe that's my answer.

Or not...

If you want lower gearing, you can get EKAR GT with a 10-48 cassette and use an EKAR OG crank. The weight actually comes in lower than EKAR OG and has nicer hoods and some other refinements.

[hokoman]

I'm running chorus 12 on my fat tire Pegoretti. 48/32 and an 11-32 because they didn't have a the 34 in stock when I ordered my kit for my bike. I sent over some wheels from NY with the shimano 12-36 and will try that when they come, I think it will work without any modifications and will be low enough for me. I prefer a double, but my wife would have been better off with a 1x... she doesn't like thinking about what gear, when to shift the front, etc, but ekar is only disc.

[marciero]

I'll assume you've read through the entire Ekar thread. What- you haven't??

One by all the way.

[gianni]

I’m glad the OP asked the question. I’ve been pondering chorus 12 vs ekar too for gravel build.

Has anyone tried wolfstooth in chorus 2x setup to get more range? This may have already been asked and answered.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by vespasianus

If you want lower gearing, you can get EKAR GT with a 10-48 cassette and use an EKAR OG crank. The weight actually comes in lower than EKAR OG and has nicer hoods and some other refinements.

Can you just run the GT rear Derailleur, or do you need to swap levers, too? I like mine as is but would love a lower gear back there

[Will_Elder]

Originally Posted by makoti

Can you just run the GT rear Derailleur, or do you need to swap levers, too? I like mine as is but would love a lower gear back there

You can use the original shifters with the GT derailleur

I have an Ekar build coming that is all original Ekar with GT shifters as I understand the ergonomics improved