The lower priced mechanical option offers an even wider range of gearing options than the original Ekar.
Campagnolo created quite a buzz when it debuted its Ekar gravel groupset at the end of 2020. His innovative 1×13 speed layout and lightweight mechanical format not only worked well, but were actually available when mainstream options were frustratingly difficult. I’m coming. Campagnolo is now looking to build on that success with his Ekar GT version of the new mid-range. It’s cheaper than the original Ekar, and as you might expect, heavier, but other features may actually make him a better choice between the two products.
Extended range, reinforced aluminum, modern ergonomics
Ekar GT retains the core functionality that formed the basis of the original Ekar. It’s still built around his 13-speed cassette and single chainring, and the disc brakes are hydraulic, but the shifts are still cable-driven. To this day, there is still no word about the electronic version. These shifts are once again initiated by Campagnolo’s long-standing ErgoPower lever design, with a single paddle behind the brake lever blade for downshifts and on the inside of the bonnet for upshifts. It has a small C-shaped thumb-operated button. The cassette is the same Campagnolo-specific N3W freehub body.
Therefore, there are no major changes.
Cassette options include the same 9-36T, 9-42T, and 10-44T sizes as the original Ekar, but the Ekar GT adds a new 10-48T option. The Ekar GT also uses a different cassette construction. The Ekar cassette is constructed from a combination of machined steel sprocket clusters on an aluminum carrier, whereas the Ekar GT’s five largest sprockets are a single block of steel with an integrated carrier. Milled from. The next five sprockets feature a more conventional stamped construction with aluminum spacers in between, and his last three gears form another integral cluster. Despite significant changes in construction, the claimed weight only shows a very slight weight reduction over his Ekar GT, which is not accounted for.
It’s worth pointing out that the new 10-48T cassette has only slightly more total range than the 9-42T. However, in addition to the existing 38, 40, 42, and 44T options, the Ekar GT also has a new 36-tooth chainring, which opens up significantly lower climbing gear possibilities to suit your adventures and adventures. The appeal of Ekar GT is sure to expand even further. The bikepacking crowd, or even riders looking for easy gear in general.
However, current Ekar users don’t need to get too excited about that 10-48T cassette. The new Ekar GT rear derailleur has a 21mm longer cage to accommodate a larger 38-tooth spread. The Ekar GT rear derailleur also appears to feature more fiber-reinforced composite construction compared to the aluminum-heavy Ekar, and Campagnolo says the new pulley wheel’s larger holes are easier to clean. (However, it would be even easier to clean if it was solid and could be clogged with gunk). The pulley cage clutch internals and cage lock mechanism are carried over, and stainless steel hardware is used throughout.
More changes are on the way with the new Ekar GT Ergopower levers. The shifting operation itself is carried over, unfortunately with the same single upshift limitation, but with a new streamlined shape with less body taper and a less pronounced front peak that feels more natural in the hand. It is expected to provide a comfortable feel. The lever blade is still made of aluminum and has adjustable reach, and the updated hood has a deeper textured surface, which should probably help with grip in wet or muddy conditions.
The new Ekar GT crank underneath is essentially an aluminum version of Ekar’s carbon fiber setup. The arm is a one-piece forged piece with a deep recess on the back side, and the narrow wide chainring is attached to a symmetrical one-piece spider with 104mm BCD from the back with four bolts. Campagnolo sticks to the proven Ultra Torque format, which features two 24 mm diameter steel spindle halves that join in the middle with a Haas-style spline interface. Crank arm lengths are offered in 170, 172.5 and 175 mm, all with a Q-factor of 151 mm.
As far as we know, apart from minor cosmetic changes, the hydraulic disc brakes are carried over from the Ekar.
Campagnolo claims a complete Ekar GT groupset weighs between 2,700g and 315g more than the Ekar. The claimed weights of the individual components are:
| Campagnolo Ekar GT Ergopower Levers (with brake calipers and hoses, pair): | 760g |
| Campagnolo Ekar GT Rear Derailleur: | 310g |
| Campagnolo Ekar GT crankset (172.5 mm arms, 38T chainring): | 850g |
| Campagnolo Ekar GT Cassette (9-36T): | 340g |
| Campagnolo Ekar GT Cassette (9-42T): | 380g |
| Campagnolo Ekar GT Cassette (10-44T): | 400g |
| Campagnolo Ekar GT Cassette (10-48T): | 435g |
| Campagnolo Ekar GT Chain (118 links): | 242g |
As for pricing, the official retail price is set at USD 1,600 / EUR 1,500, which is a significant drop from the original Ekar groupset’s MSRP of USD 1,800 / EUR 1,700.
New Zonda GT aluminum wheels are targeted at budget gravel riders
The new Ekar GT groupset comes with new Zonda GT aluminum clincher wheels.
These are tubeless-compatible rims with a solid tire bed (meaning no tubeless tape is needed), additional machining between the spoke holes to reduce weight, and a ‘G3’ for more even side-to-side tension. It features the usual Campagnolo features such as triplet spoke lacing. – Not to mention a more unique aesthetic – and adjustable cup-and-cone bearings.
With a modest 29mm rim height, Campagnolo clearly doesn’t claim the Zonda GT is an aero wheelset. Instead they are targeting the gravel market, which is a bit interesting considering the 23mm internal rim width is the same as the very road-only Bora WTO series launched just a few weeks ago. I think.
The set has a modest nominal weight of 1,690 g and retails at a similarly mid-range USD 750 / EUR 700.
Ever wonder how well all this works in the real world? Me too. Hopefully I can get some samples for proper testing.
In the meantime, for more information, please visit: www.campagnolo.com.
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