Campagnolo Ekar with Bar End Shifter????

wyatt_ · #1 08-22-2021, 02:34 PM

Haven't thought up a build this ridiculous in awhile, but here goes:

Has anyone tried to see if one of Microshift's bar end shifters could work with the Campagnolo Ekar 13 speed drivetrain in friction mode?

It looks like Ratio is now making an Ekar compatible chainring and freehub options are coming around, as well. Theoretically, seems like a 13 speed parts bin build would be possible, even on a rim brake bike, if the right bar end shifter was compatible. Maybe not the cheapest option out there, but for those of us with cranksets and levers lying around could be an interesting option. Doesn't hurt that the Ekar cassette would look nice with a classic silver build.

AngryScientist · #2 08-22-2021, 02:36 PM

who'd be crazy enough to try that?

wyatt_ · #3 08-22-2021, 02:38 PM

Sick!!! What's the verdict?

Using one of the Microshift eagle bar ends, I assume?

AngryScientist · #4 08-22-2021, 02:38 PM

seriously though, you can try it, but i think 13 is going to be tough to friction shift. it may work OK enough, i have friction shifted up to 11-sp, but you really have to "finesse" the lever to get clean shifts. I'm using 10 speed and that's about the max i would consider comfortable to friction shift.

Bici-Sonora · #5 08-22-2021, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

seriously though, you can try it, but i think 13 is going to be tough to friction shift. it may work OK enough, i have friction shifted up to 11-sp, but you really have to "finesse" the lever to get clean shifts. I'm using 10 speed and that's about the max i would consider comfortable to friction shift.

^^^I feel the same—I feel like 8 speed it the sweet spot for friction, although I’ve done up to 10 speed.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bicycletricycle · #6 08-22-2021, 03:26 PM

I love 11 speed friction, have it on most of my bikes. My preferred derailleur and DT shifter combo takes about 180 degrees of lever movement to sweep through the gears which makes it easier to get in the right spot.

mechkbfan · #7 12-20-2022, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

who'd be crazy enough to try that?

I know it's an older thread but been using google to find out further info + no point in creating a new thread

Whose bike was this?

Can we get feedback on how it is from them?

carlucci1106 · #8 12-20-2022, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechkbfan

I know it's an older thread but been using google to find out further info + no point in creating a new thread

Whose bike was this?

Can we get feedback on how it is from them?

I'm up early, and I'll play.

This is Nick's bike, AKA, Angry Scientist. And if you look up a few posts, he explains that he is using a 10sp cassette with the friction setup.

mechkbfan · #9 12-20-2022, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlucci1106

I'm up early, and I'll play.

This is Nick's bike, AKA, Angry Scientist. And if you look up a few posts, he explains that he is using a 10sp cassette with the friction setup.

Cheers, I thought that but then a few of comments made it sound like he was talking about someone else's bike. (e.g. " i have friction shifted up to 11-sp")

Yeah. I've run friction with two different 10 speed setups (DA 7800 + Advent X) and been thoroughly impressed over their previous 6 and 7 speed counterparts that were on the bike beforehand.

The Ekar is damn interesting but want to stick to rim brakes

oldpotatoe · #10 12-20-2022, 06:16 AM

Somebody send me an EKar RH shifter and I'll see if the guts fit into an otherwise 11s or 12s, rim brake, lever body..

carlucci1106 · #11 12-20-2022, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Somebody send me an EKar RH shifter and I'll see if the guts fit into an otherwise 11s or 12s, rim brake, lever body..

Yeah, I will say it again... this needs to get tried. Dollars to donuts Buddy @CampUSA says "Don't do it...errr... it can't be done... don't...do it if you may, but all warranties implied or stated yada yada yada

oldpotatoe · #12 12-20-2022, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlucci1106

Yeah, I will say it again... this needs to get tried. Dollars to donuts Buddy @CampUSA says "Don't do it...errr... it can't be done... don't...do it if you may, but all warranties implied or stated yada yada yada

Of course, he knows who butters his bread. I'm hoping for a busted EKAR body with OK guts, somewhere..

They say the same thing about 12s guts into a 11s lever body but I'm sure that can be done...

carlucci1106 · #13 12-20-2022, 06:54 AM

Ekar.. and a variety of 11 speed/12s Right housings. Suppose you would need to know the fore-aft clearance, and the bore where the barrel of the tumbler mech goes?

Upper Left to Lower Right: Ekar 13, Potenza 11, SR 12, and SR 11

Working on getting a full frontal on that Ekar assembly

oldpotatoe · #14 12-20-2022, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlucci1106

Ekar.. and a variety of 11 speed/12s Right housings. Suppose you would need to know the fore-aft clearance, and the bore where the barrel of the tumbler mech goes?

I think the only things 'needed' out of a EKAR shifter is the actual shift disc in the rear and the toothed bushing in the front..I think all else, the thru bolts, springs, etc, will convey.

BUT, haven't taken an EKAR shifter apart, so don't know.

AngryScientist · #15 12-20-2022, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechkbfan

I know it's an older thread but been using google to find out further info + no point in creating a new thread

Whose bike was this?

Can we get feedback on how it is from them?

Hi there and welcome to the forum.

As Carl pointed out, yes, that's my bike and I've got a pile of miles on it now, works great

Ekar crank and RD, friction bar end shifter to 10sp cassette.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

Here we are bikepacking across Vermont.