The 'Un-Official' Campagnolo Ekar thread

[robertbb]

Folks, I said "chances are". Don't get yer knickers twisted.

I'm speculating of course. But it's fairly obvious it'll come eventually.

[Baron Blubba]

Originally Posted by makoti

The evidence is in the fact that I really, really want it

I also really want it. I'm not the most inside insider, but, barring a true accidental leak (not a planned marketing leak) I hear of things before most people, sometimes by a couple of days and sometimes by a few months. I've heard nothing about electronic Ekar. I want it quite a bit, but significantly less ever since setting up my Melee with a 1 x 12 Force AXS set up (48 x 10-44). It's not perfect, but I think it's more perfect than 2x ever was, for everything from mountain rides to fast flat rides. A 13th cog would be lovely, but I don't think it's necessary. But if electornic Ekar retains the thumb shifter, golly, I'm on board.

[morrisond]

Originally Posted by Baron Blubba

I also really want it. I'm not the most inside insider, but, barring a true accidental leak (not a planned marketing leak) I hear of things before most people, sometimes by a couple of days and sometimes by a few months. I've heard nothing about electronic Ekar. I want it quite a bit, but significantly less ever since setting up my Melee with a 1 x 12 Force AXS set up (48 x 10-44). It's not perfect, but I think it's more perfect than 2x ever was, for everything from mountain rides to fast flat rides. A 13th cog would be lovely, but I don't think it's necessary. But if electornic Ekar retains the thumb shifter, golly, I'm on board.

I know it's coming as I was told that by the same people who told me Super Record WRL was coming 10 months later and it did - quite honestly though I can't remember if they said September 2023 or September 2024 (I think it was September 2023), but I'll say it again - regular EKAR is being blown out right now which is usually a great sign its about to be replaced.

EKAR is pretty important to Campagnolo and GRX 12SP seems like it will probably drop shortly, I can see Campy dropping 13SP WRL right after Shimano drops 12SP GRX. That extra gear is meaningful on 1X.

I sure wish they would do a 2X cheaper WRL group as well, but I have not heard anything on that.

[Gwerziou]

Originally Posted by Baron Blubba

I also really want it. I'm not the most inside insider, but, barring a true accidental leak (not a planned marketing leak) I hear of things before most people, sometimes by a couple of days and sometimes by a few months. I've heard nothing about electronic Ekar. I want it quite a bit, but significantly less ever since setting up my Melee with a 1 x 12 Force AXS set up (48 x 10-44). It's not perfect, but I think it's more perfect than 2x ever was, for everything from mountain rides to fast flat rides. A 13th cog would be lovely, but I don't think it's necessary. But if electronic Ekar retains the thumb shifter, golly, I'm on board.

I would get it in a heartbeat if the pricing were even vaguely reasonable. The thumb button will almost certainly go away, but I don't care the tiniest bit about that - no other drop-bar shifter system I've used has had a thumb shifter, and they all worked just fine... I would be stoked if the shifter looked pretty much exactly like WRL. I figure that one sponsored athlete racing cross/gravel with SR WRL this past year was an early tester to get feedback about would need to change for an Ekar version.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by morrisond

I know it's coming as I was told that by the same people who told me Super Record WRL was coming 10 months later and it did - quite honestly though I can't remember if they said September 2023 or September 2024 (I think it was September 2023), but I'll say it again - regular EKAR is being blown out right now which is usually a great sign its about to be replaced.

EKAR is pretty important to Campagnolo and GRX 12SP seems like it will probably drop shortly, I can see Campy dropping 13SP WRL right after Shimano drops 12SP GRX. That extra gear is meaningful on 1X.

I sure wish they would do a 2X cheaper WRL group as well, but I have not heard anything on that.

Even if there IS an electronic EKAR, it won't 'replace' mechanical EKAR any more than SR WRL 'replaced' SR mechanical.

I 'suspect' SR WRL will filter down to Record WRL...With small differences in materials for the ders..The calipers/rotors are similar across the groups already.

[vespasianus]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Even if there IS an electronic EKAR, it won't 'replace' mechanical EKAR any more than SR WRL 'replaced' SR mechanical.

I 'suspect' SR WRL will filter down to Record WRL...With small differences in materials for the ders..The calipers/rotors are similar across the groups already.

Maybe I am lucky but EKAR for me has been next to perfect. Through rain, mud, muck, and sun, it has worked just perfect. The ability to never have to think about anything more than grabbing a water bottle makes me happy. No way would I want to pay double for something electronic or wireless when this works so well.

[Likes2ridefar]

Originally Posted by vespasianus

Maybe I am lucky but EKAR for me has been next to perfect. Through rain, mud, muck, and sun, it has worked just perfect. The ability to never have to think about anything more than grabbing a water bottle makes me happy. No way would I want to pay double for something electronic or wireless when this works so well.

I hope this is my experience as I await a new bike with ekar. Even though I have an axs groupset I could swap out I’m going to give it a really serious trial for a few months before deciding! I’m very skeptical it will be as little maintenance as axs and perform as consistently…

[morrisond]

Originally Posted by Likes2ridefar

I hope this is my experience as I await a new bike with ekar. Even though I have an axs groupset I could swap out I’m going to give it a really serious trial for a few months before deciding! I’m very skeptical it will be as little maintenance as axs and perform as consistently…

About the only thing you will ever have to do with EKAR is increase the table tension with a half turn on where it enters the RD every once in a while. A lot less effort than having to charge a battery every month or so and/or worrying about it being out of juice.

That being said I want EKAR WRL just so it's one less cable to deal with on a bike.

[JWB475]

Nobody is claiming that EKAR mechanical will go away.

One of the reasons for the speculation is that Campagnolo having EKAR and EKAR GT in their lineup really makes little sense since they basically overlap in the segment. EKAR might be billed as higher end compared to GT but the differences really aren't that significant enough to warrant two groupsets are they?

It only makes sense that EKAR would be phased out and be reborn as electronic, while GT remains mechanical.

[cgolvin]

FWIW, I asked a builder (Italian) about holding out for wireless Ekar, they told me that they had heard rumors but nothing concrete.

[vespasianus]

Originally Posted by morrisond

- regular EKAR is being blown out right now which is usually a great sign its about to be replaced.

People keep saying EKAR is being blown out but the prices in the places I always look - Merlin and Bike Discount - have been pretty similar over the last year. Stock is low but that is true of most Campagnolo stuff anyway.

Even though I love my mechanical stuff, I do believe the future is electronic and Campagnolo will have to make the move to survive.

[Likes2ridefar]

Day 1 of ekar I hated it. shifting was all over the place. it was setup incorrectly in every way possible from original purchase of the bike. it was so far off i couldn’t fix it easily on the street during the test ride, and didnt make it a mile before returning for my mountain bike to go ride trails instead.

Day 1 part 2; after setting things properly a 40 minute test ride in sweltering arizona heat and sun has me thinking ekar might just work.

Really like the ergonomics of the shifters, and while not in love with the thumb shifter at all it’ll work and maybe get more used to it over time.

The 9 42 cassette and 13s surprisingly makes a much smoother experience road riding at higher speeds with the single steps than the axs mullet 12s I had prior.

I basically got ekar for free including high spec parts in a new bike purchase. Glad it is working out!

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by Likes2ridefar

The 9 42 cassette and 13s surprisingly makes a much smoother experience road riding at higher speeds with the single steps than the axs mullet 12s I had prior.

Which chainring are you using?
(Edit) My plan is 40 with 10-44 in order to have a really low bailout gear, but part of me thinks 9-42 might be a better choice.

[yinzerniner]

Originally Posted by Likes2ridefar

Day 1 of ekar I hated it. shifting was all over the place because I learned before day 2 it was setup incorrectly in every way possible from original purchase of the bike. it was so far off i couldn’t fix it easily on the street during the test ride, and didnt make it a mile before returning for my mountain bike to go ride trails instead.

Day 1 part 2; after setting things properly a 40 minute test ride in sweltering arizona heat and sun has me thinking ekar might just work.

Really like the ergonomics of the shifters, and while not in love with the thumb shifter at all it’ll work and maybe get more used to it over time.

The 9 42 cassette and 13s surprisingly makes a much smoother experience road riding at higher speeds with the single steps than the axs mullet 12s I had prior.

I basically got ekar for free including high spec parts in a new bike purchase. Glad it is working out!

Yeah, I wish that axs had cassettes with the thoughtful progression of Ekar cassettes. Even the xplr cassettes have awkward transitions compared to Ekar. Just due to the maths think it’s basically impossible to get more than 400% range and nice progressions with 12 cogs.

https://www.gear-calculator.com/?GR=...38,44&UF2=2170

Really hoping Campy releases Ekar WRL. They could even price it at red axs levels and it’ll be the top choice in gravel 1x due to their ergonomics, aesthetics and braking.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by cgolvin

Which chainring are you using?
(Edit) My plan is 40 with 10-44 in order to have a really low bailout gear, but part of me thinks 9-42 might be a better choice.

This is what I have. I like it, but was thinking of slapping on a 38 until I figured out that got me 2" at the low end but lost about 7" at the top