1x Campagnolo Ekar drivetrain

[satanas]

In typical Campagnolo fashion, it is modified version of SRW with bigger rings. Odd to say the least.

If Campag had been paying attention to what SRAM sponsored teams have been doing - and what's trendy - they wouldn't have to be now offering larger rings. (I actually like the idea of smaller rings as I'm a spinner not a TDF competitor, but realise I'm in the minority.)

[gwerziou]

I imagine Ekar WRL will only use the right shifter then?

[Vespasianus]

I imagine Ekar WRL will only use the right shifter then?

I think that is what is eventually coming. Might be years away.

[Vespasianus]

On a complete side note, I have heard people don't like the EKAR bottom bracket design and bearings. I have had my bike for 2.5 years and have ridden and raced the bike in some bad conditions. In one of the races, almost everyone had to service their drivetrain. For example, on my wife's bike, which was less than 2 months old, the SRAM BB was a mess and her chain looks like a rusted hunk of wire. New BB was required.

After another rainy day gravel ride, where I had to service my wife’s BB, I decided to remove the EKAR crank on my bike to make sure it was not bad. Surprisingly, the BB was perfect. Not a spec of dirt or grime and the bearing and whole area look absolutely pristine.

The actual bearings on the crank appear to have a clear plastic cover on them -so actually lubing them is near impossible but other than that, the whole system seems really well designed. Cranks spin freely and the whole system is really well sealed.

Love this groupset.

[de lars cuevas]

On a complete side note, I have heard people don't like the EKAR bottom bracket design and bearings. I have had my bike for 2.5 years and have ridden and raced the bike in some bad conditions.

I decided to remove the EKAR crank on my bike to make sure it was not bad. Surprisingly, the BB was perfect. Not a spec of dirt or grime and the bearing and whole area look absolutely pristine.

The actual bearings on the crank appear to have a clear plastic cover on them -so actually lubing them is near impossible but other than that, the whole system seems really well designed. Cranks spin freely and the whole system is really well sealed.

Happy to hear your positive experiences with the Ekar BB's. Mine have been less than stellar, I am on my 3rd set of bearings in the third year of use of my gravel bike. They tend to seize after bad weather. For this reason, when building my new road bike with Ekar, I went for a Sram crankset with a Ratio Ekar compatible ring. https://ratiotechnology.com/product/rat ... 6834e7a283

You can clean and relube the Ekar bearings from the inside by carefully taking out the clear cover with a Stanley knive, but note: the seal is notched, it also functions as the ball separator cage. You need to reallign all balls before reinstalling the seal.

[Milwaukeekid]

EKAR SRW would be amazing! Campy had a great lead in the market with 13-speed and needs to keep investing in this space.

I think it would be a good move but the new annoucement is not this. I have been told is a road thing not gravel.

OOHHH! Inquiring minds want to know! Would love to see some new updates to the road line. It's where my heart has always been. I mean, they really could use a WRL Chorus as well as a more competitive Centaur groupset that can take market share from 105 & Rival. However, this really feels like a big miss considering gravel is truly the new growth space.

In typical Campagnolo fashion, it is modified version of SRW with bigger rings. Odd to say the least.

This may be to make the new SRW pallatable for pro teams? However, if they also come out with shorter crankarm versions at the same time, it would keep them on-trend. Still feels like they're giving up their market advantage to the new SRAM RED gravel version though.

[Milwaukeekid]

I think it would be a good move but the new annoucement is not this. I have been told is a road thing not gravel.

OOHHH! Inquiring minds want to know! Would love to see some new updates to the road line. It's where my heart has always been. I mean, they really could use a WRL Chorus as well as a more competitive Centaur groupset that can take market share from 105 & Rival. However, this really feels like a big miss considering gravel is truly the new growth space.

In typical Campagnolo fashion, it is modified version of SRW with bigger rings. Odd to say the least.

This may be to make the new SRW pallatable for pro teams? However, if they also come out with shorter crankarm versions at the same time, it would keep them on-trend. Still feels like they're giving up their market advantage to the new SRAM RED gravel version though.

Assuming this is the new "drop" you were eluding to?

Campagnolo Super Record S Drops 12-speed Italian Wireless Pricing 20% in Matte Carbon:

https://bikerumor.com/campagnolo-super- ... -in-price/

[Vespasianus]

On a complete side note, I have heard people don't like the EKAR bottom bracket design and bearings. I have had my bike for 2.5 years and have ridden and raced the bike in some bad conditions.

I decided to remove the EKAR crank on my bike to make sure it was not bad. Surprisingly, the BB was perfect. Not a spec of dirt or grime and the bearing and whole area look absolutely pristine.

The actual bearings on the crank appear to have a clear plastic cover on them -so actually lubing them is near impossible but other than that, the whole system seems really well designed. Cranks spin freely and the whole system is really well sealed.

Happy to hear your positive experiences with the Ekar BB's. Mine have been less than stellar, I am on my 3rd set of bearings in the third year of use of my gravel bike. They tend to seize after bad weather. For this reason, when building my new road bike with Ekar, I went for a Sram crankset with a Ratio Ekar compatible ring. https://ratiotechnology.com/product/rat ... 6834e7a283

You can clean and relube the Ekar bearings from the inside by carefully taking out the clear cover with a Stanley knive, but note: the seal is notched, it also functions as the ball separator cage. You need to reallign all balls before reinstalling the seal.

I ride in rain and sand and honestly, I am shocked at how well the bearings have lasted. We had to replace the bearings on the SRAM Rival AXS bike after a particularly bad day (bought in December and replaced in March).

But looking at how the system is designed, I understand why they have lasted. The whole thing is pretty much sealed. I did not even have a spec of dirt in my BB shell.

Given how well my bearings have lasted, not going to think about removing the cover!

[masterpiou]

Hey,

I've read this post back to february 2024 (release of the Ekar GT), other threads and presentations as well and I still can't find a clear answer to my questions:

- can you ride a Ekar GT 10-48 cassette with a classic Ekar derailleur? Probably not.
- can you ride Ekar GT 10-48 cassette AND Ekar GT derailleur with classic Ekar levers? It's not clear.

Thanks in advance for your help and sorry if I missed the info in this conversation.

[Vespasianus]

Hey,

I've read this post back to february 2024 (release of the Ekar GT), other threads and presentations as well and I still can't find a clear answer to my questions:

- can you ride a Ekar GT 10-48 cassette with a classic Ekar derailleur? Probably not.
- can you ride Ekar GT 10-48 cassette AND Ekar GT derailleur with classic Ekar levers? It's not clear.

Thanks in advance for your help and sorry if I missed the info in this conversation.

can you ride a Ekar GT 10-48 cassette with a classic Ekar derailleur?

NO.

can you ride Ekar GT 10-48 cassette AND Ekar GT derailleur with classic Ekar levers?

Yes.

[Yoln]

That might not be the solution you are looking for, But 10-48 (480%) is a very similar range as a 9-42 (467%).

So just adjusting the chairing and running a 9-42 might be easier in your case:

9-42 with a 38 teeth chainring, is identical to 10-48 with a 42 chainring

[masterpiou]

Thanks for your help and advice. I already have a 38t chainring. As I'm looking for a smoother pedaling when the climbs get steeper in my playground, I'll go for the 38x10/48 setup.

[gwerziou]

Interesting - https://www.brackishcycles.com/product- ... -chainring

[de lars cuevas]

I have this one on my Caledonia/Ekar road bike, on Force cranks. Works well, bit more noise than original. https://ratiotechnology.com/product/rat ... 13105b7e4e

[Yoln]

All Ethirteen Helix chairings work well too with Ekar chain (direct mount 3 bolt, 107 BCD for SRAM Power meter spider, etc...)