The 'Un-Official' Campagnolo Ekar thread

[PTinz]

Originally Posted by happycampyer

And they’ll mistakenly report it as a 2x system.

Probably OT a bit, but I find myself going less and less to that website. Stopped subscribing to the print mag two years ago (had been a subscriber since 86')

Back OT, am a gravel fan and a Campy fan-and this looks exciting-but will wait for the 2x. Pricing is very non Campy-ish.

[Velocipede]

Originally Posted by Hellgate

The bags and kit look nice too.

I really don't recall Campy ever, in my 40 years of riding Campy, being this organized and coordinated for a new product rollout. I'm really stunned and happy for them. I suspect it will sell well.

The partners page is impressive too. Getting in with the big American brands will bump their brand up significantly. The win in the Tour didn't hurt either.

I agree! I think they did an excellent job with it. It helps having extra time of course... thanks COVID! But even the clothing looks great. The team who worked on this should be proud. Brilliant job.

[Velocipede]

Originally Posted by PTinz

Probably OT a bit, but I find myself going less and less to that website. Stopped subscribing to the print mag two years ago (had been a subscriber since 86')

Back OT, am a gravel fan and a Campy fan-and this looks exciting-but will wait for the 2x. Pricing is very non Campy-ish.

No 2x coming. Only 1x for this or future EKAR improvements.

Non Campy-ish? Good or bad? I think the pricing is decent. On par with the top level of Force 1x and GRX 1x. And it's 1 or 2 gears up. Plus you can swap out the rings without pulling the arm. Like that feature.

[jpritchet74]

Want. Want. Want.

If only I had need for a gravel bike. Or roads nearby to ride a gravel bike.....

[cmb5286]

So who is going to volunteer to dump their Force or GRX setup? Interested to see some long term reviews on this.

Some very interesting points of view in the AC article.

[Velocipede]

Originally Posted by pritchet74

Want. Want. Want.

If only I had need for a gravel bike. Or roads nearby to ride a gravel bike.....

I want one too! And I don't have a gravel bike but this makes me want one for sure. Even with all the bags and stuff. It looks incredible. I don't have any gravel roads near me either! But I'd still love to have one with this on it. And the new Shamal Carbons! As Clarkson would say.... That's strong pornography.

[Velocipede]

Originally Posted by cmb5286

So who is going to volunteer to dump their Force or GRX setup? Interested to see some long term reviews on this.

Some very interesting points of view in the AC article.

I find it interesting they didn't mention the front brake change. Something people/shops complained about incessantly with the original and Campy fixed. No mention of it.

[timto]

What frustrates me the most about this new group is I currently have things 'dialed' and that's about to go out the window as I obsess about how to make this happen for myself …..

[Dave]

I'll be real interested to see measurements on the sprocket thickness and spacing, along with the chain dimensions. A quick link is finally available.

I can't imagine this system not eventually being adapted to 2X road. The thumb button looks to be made to operate better from the hooks.

I don't understand their contention of greater range than other's 2X systems. SRAM'S new 43/30 with the 10-36 has a 516% range. The 9-42 Ekar has a 467% range.

With the 10-36 cassette, my chorus bike had a range of 540%. Now I have the same range with my chorus crank and force axs drivetrain.

[weiwentg]

Some minor comments.

I don't like the look of the thumb paddle. But I bet it's really functional! And frankly, if it's functional, the look will probably grow on people.

James Huang's vid for CT showed a quick link!

I'm pretty small. I don't expect everyone to need road Q-factors, but I like that they maintained the crank's Q-factor at 145.5mm. I haven't tried GRX (151mm), but I suspect it might feel slightly off to me (but maybe I'd adapt to it, and maybe I'd get the XTR pedals with the -3mm spindles).

The RD comes stock with 12t top and 14t bottom pulleys. I think SRAM has 12t for both pulleys on its AXS groups, and Shimano has 11t for both pulleys right now.

Just aesthetically, I like the RD, the crank, and the logos.

Also, Huang said that Specialized is going to offer some bikes with Ekar. So, it's not just the European brands (Pinarello, Wilier, Ridley, and maybe 3T if you consider them Euro). It's a major US brand.

I've already said that I have a theoretical objection to 9t cogs. For the sort of gravel riding I do, if I were getting one of these groups, I think I'd do a 42t ring with the 10-44 cassette.

And for Mark McM: the initial reviews said that Ekar will offer a 165mm crank as well as the 3 170, 172.5, and 175mm. As we discussed, this doesn't mean it's going to be easy to find power meters for them, but at least they have short cranks!

[weisan]

Very well thought out.

[bicycletricycle]

I think this group looks really nice. I would hope for a few changes for my own use but I am a strange person and I can see why they went the direction they did.

The drag in those 9 and 10 tooth cogs is going to be pretty high but as long as you aren't cruising in those gears all day it should be fine.

The backwards compatible freehub is a really nice touch.

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by weiwentg

Some minor comments.

I don't like the look of the thumb paddle. But I bet it's really functional! And frankly, if it's functional, the look will probably grow on people.

James Huang's vid for CT showed a quick link!

I'm pretty small. I don't expect everyone to need road Q-factors, but I like that they maintained the crank's Q-factor at 145.5mm. I haven't tried GRX (151mm), but I suspect it might feel slightly off to me (but maybe I'd adapt to it, and maybe I'd get the XTR pedals with the -3mm spindles).

The RD comes stock with 12t top and 14t bottom pulleys. I think SRAM has 12t for both pulleys on its AXS groups, and Shimano has 11t for both pulleys right now.

Just aesthetically, I like the RD, the crank, and the logos.

Also, Huang said that Specialized is going to offer some bikes with Ekar. So, it's not just the European brands (Pinarello, Wilier, Ridley, and maybe 3T if you consider them Euro). It's a major US brand.

I've already said that I have a theoretical objection to 9t cogs. For the sort of gravel riding I do, if I were getting one of these groups, I think I'd do a 42t ring with the 10-44 cassette.

And for Mark McM: the initial reviews said that Ekar will offer a 165mm crank as well as the 3 170, 172.5, and 175mm. As we discussed, this doesn't mean it's going to be easy to find power meters for them, but at least they have short cranks!

I agree with you on the thumb lever. Its gigantic and ugly but I know what they are going for, you can shift from the hoods much easily which has always been a complain about campy from non campy people.

[tuxbailey]

This looks really nice even though I don't have a gravel bike and don't plan to have one in the near future.

[thirdgenbird]

To follow up on last night, I think the ekar and chorus crank are identical outside of logos. Note the rear here:
https://gravelcyclist.com/bicycle-te...avel-groupset/

The chainring shelf is identical on the back of chorus. I have not pulled mine apart, but it looks like the small chainring does not mount to the crank itself. It mounts to the large chainring tabs that go down to that lower shelf. One crank arm for 1x and 2x with a swappable inner BCD.