New Ekar GT Groupset
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New Ekar GT Groupset
Campagnolo released a new Ekar GT groupset. More aluminum, less CF, and lower cost.
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Campagnolo released a new Ekar GT groupset. More aluminum, less CF, and lower cost.
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Ekar has been the only group I’ve yet to try, not sure whether this new release makes it more or less appealing but the Zondas sure look good!
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I have two Ekar equipped bicycles, and I have found it to be excellent. One road, one gravel. I am aware that some people say they are a bit fiddley, but what I have found is that if they are setup according to the instructions Campagnolo publishes they are quite trouble free.
Yes, they can make a clack when you shift under power. They shift precisely, and you can down shift multiple gears in one swipe. I can work them with mittens on, but if they are coated in ice from freezing rain they will jam. The brakes are excellent.
I wish they had a crank that worked with 73 mm bottom bracket spacing, but you can't have everything. And if they would make an electronic version at a reasonable premium over the mechanical group, like maybe a $500 above the mechanical, I would probably put that on my next bike.
I also don't see much call for the alloy version unless it was quite a bit less expensive. You can get a carbon Ekar for about $1,000 US. Can I get the aluminum version for $600?
Yes, they can make a clack when you shift under power. They shift precisely, and you can down shift multiple gears in one swipe. I can work them with mittens on, but if they are coated in ice from freezing rain they will jam. The brakes are excellent.
I wish they had a crank that worked with 73 mm bottom bracket spacing, but you can't have everything. And if they would make an electronic version at a reasonable premium over the mechanical group, like maybe a $500 above the mechanical, I would probably put that on my next bike.
I also don't see much call for the alloy version unless it was quite a bit less expensive. You can get a carbon Ekar for about $1,000 US. Can I get the aluminum version for $600?
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Price is obviously going to be a major point here. Interestingly it has an even wider range cassette option than Ekar and a smaller chainring option. It’s about 300g heavier, but potentially could be more durable. Seems like a reasonable option to me for those on a tighter budget or even just looking for lower gearing.
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I wonder if this is aimed at the OEM market? Probably that is the case.
I have been looking at getting a new gravel bike to replace the drop bar MTB I currently have. I have focused on a couple of bikes that come with Ekar. Neither is low enough in price that I am wanting to spring for it.
A $200 price cut to a bike manufacturer might translate into a $600 price cut at the retail level.
I have been looking at getting a new gravel bike to replace the drop bar MTB I currently have. I have focused on a couple of bikes that come with Ekar. Neither is low enough in price that I am wanting to spring for it.
A $200 price cut to a bike manufacturer might translate into a $600 price cut at the retail level.
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I think it is pretty neat. I know Campy doesn't always make the right choices and do what will be most practical but they make fun interesting stuff and sometimes have a bit of innovation thrown in or at least some good looks.
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I have two Ekar equipped bicycles, and I have found it to be excellent. One road, one gravel. I am aware that some people say they are a bit fiddley, but what I have found is that if they are setup according to the instructions Campagnolo publishes they are quite trouble free.
Yes, they can make a clack when you shift under power. They shift precisely, and you can down shift multiple gears in one swipe. I can work them with mittens on, but if they are coated in ice from freezing rain they will jam. The brakes are excellent.
I wish they had a crank that worked with 73 mm bottom bracket spacing, but you can't have everything. And if they would make an electronic version at a reasonable premium over the mechanical group, like maybe a $500 above the mechanical, I would probably put that on my next bike.
I also don't see much call for the alloy version unless it was quite a bit less expensive. You can get a carbon Ekar for about $1,000 US. Can I get the aluminum version for $600?
Yes, they can make a clack when you shift under power. They shift precisely, and you can down shift multiple gears in one swipe. I can work them with mittens on, but if they are coated in ice from freezing rain they will jam. The brakes are excellent.
I wish they had a crank that worked with 73 mm bottom bracket spacing, but you can't have everything. And if they would make an electronic version at a reasonable premium over the mechanical group, like maybe a $500 above the mechanical, I would probably put that on my next bike.
I also don't see much call for the alloy version unless it was quite a bit less expensive. You can get a carbon Ekar for about $1,000 US. Can I get the aluminum version for $600?
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Probably the last Campagnolo component I will buy. "officially sanctioned merchandise".
/markp
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From that perspective, maybe Campagnolo have already carved out their niche and are settled into it, rather than being on the edge of slipping out of the mainstream, and Ekar GT, rather than it representing clawing at diminishing market share, represents Campagnolo growing out into new market segments.
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My bike has Campy dropouts—the only Campy parts on my bike. The only Campy parts I’ve ever owned or likely ever will.
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The thumb shifter on the Ergo makes it vastly superior to the other brands um ergonomically. I futzed around with lots of things on my gravel bike before heading back to Campy.
I happen to like the clunk. It’s positive.
I do run a Sram Force crank with a Rotor 13speed chainring. Works perfectly.
I happen to like the clunk. It’s positive.
I do run a Sram Force crank with a Rotor 13speed chainring. Works perfectly.
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The thumb shifter on the Ergo makes it vastly superior to the other brands um ergonomically. I futzed around with lots of things on my gravel bike before heading back to Campy.
I happen to like the clunk. It’s positive.
I do run a Sram Force crank with a Rotor 13speed chainring. Works perfectly.
I happen to like the clunk. It’s positive.
I do run a Sram Force crank with a Rotor 13speed chainring. Works perfectly.
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I like that design much better than Shimano's system, but I prefer both Sram "double tap" and the current design of Microshift over anything else. Not that I'd refuse to use any one of them, just think both the Sram and Microshift - and also Campagnolo - are better designs than Shimano.
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I see no polished or at least bare aluminum. It’s worth $50 to me.
I see 4 arm crank with blind drilled holes looking like it’s related to that old Nexus crank. It is worth $10 to me.
It all looks like OEM for $600 hybrid bikes. Do they make a “shock absorber fork” to match? Gel seat from Cinelli?
what has the world come to when companies started in the 2000s have products that’re more appealing than the new new from Campagnolo?
I see 4 arm crank with blind drilled holes looking like it’s related to that old Nexus crank. It is worth $10 to me.
It all looks like OEM for $600 hybrid bikes. Do they make a “shock absorber fork” to match? Gel seat from Cinelli?
what has the world come to when companies started in the 2000s have products that’re more appealing than the new new from Campagnolo?
Last edited by MattoftheRocks; 03-01-24 at 09:53 AM.
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I see no polished or at least bare aluminum. It’s worth $50 to me.
I see 4 arm crank with blind drilled holes looking like it’s related to that old Nexus crank. It is worth $10 to me.
It all looks like OEM for $600 hybrid bikes. Do they make a “shock absorber fork” to match? Gel seat from Cinelli?
what has the world come to when companies started in the 2000s have products that’re more appealing than the new new from Campagnolo?
I see 4 arm crank with blind drilled holes looking like it’s related to that old Nexus crank. It is worth $10 to me.
It all looks like OEM for $600 hybrid bikes. Do they make a “shock absorber fork” to match? Gel seat from Cinelli?
what has the world come to when companies started in the 2000s have products that’re more appealing than the new new from Campagnolo?
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Edit: oh I see you cherry picked some older bikes to prove your point.
Last edited by PeteHski; 03-01-24 at 11:30 AM.