Campagnolo have revealed all the details of their new 1×13 gravel-specific groupset named Ekar. It aims to meet the demands of gravel riding with a wide gear range, the simplicity of 1x and reliability without a weight penalty.
Press Release
Ekar is the world’s lightest gravel groupset: reliable, durable & fast – it’s designed from the ground up to give you the very best performance, riding experience and reliability for gravel, all-road and endurance riding on the toughest terrain where you want to challenge yourself
Just as Campagnolo’s ground-breaking first quick release lever can trace its origins to the Passo Croce D’Aune climb, the innovative new gravel-focused Ekar groupset was born on another cima local to today’s Campagnolo headquarters: Ekar.
With its asphalt giving way to tracks and trails, Ekar epitomises the special challenges of Italian gravel. But Mt Ekar’s influence goes beyond physicality; it represents the spirit of riding gravel, of adventure, and of freedom.
Thanks to a 9T sprocket, Ekar’s unique and innovative gravel-specific 1×13 drivetrain delivers a full range of gear ratios with smooth, natural gear progressions for the perfect cadence, whatever your speed, and whatever your style of gravel riding.
With four chainring options – 38, 40, 42 and 44T – and a choice of three cassettes – 9-36T, 9-42T and 10-44T – Ekar is ready for however you ride and wherever your adventures take you!
Ekar Cassette
The precise 13-speed Ekar is available in three gearing variants, reflecting the different specialisms within the diverse gravel scene, and each providing the smoothest gearing progression and the optimum delivery of range. On all three options, single-tooth steps across the six smaller sprockets provide the most consistent cadence progression with smooth, efficient changes. Gradually increasing wider spacing features on the larger half of the sprockets. This delivers a natural riding experience and helps you get the best from your performance on testing trails and tough terrain.
Each cassette is built on two blocks, split 4- and 9-sprockets for the configurations featuring a 9-tooth, and 3-/10-sprockets for the range starting with a 10-tooth. For enhanced mechanical resistance, heat-treated carbon steel is used for the core of both blocks, and benefit from a nickel-chrome-satin surface treatment which reduces wear and friction, delivering the optimum durability for gravel riding.
Gravel Race 9-42T : 9-10-11-12-13-14-16-18-21-25-30-36-42 (390g)
Endurance 9-36T : 9-10-11-12-13-14-16-18-20-23-27-31-36 (340g)
Gravel Adventure 10-44T : 10-11-12-13-14-15-17-19-22-26-32-39-44 (410g)
It sits on a new freehub driver body – called N3W – that features on the lightweight carbon Campagnolo Shamal wheelset, with a wide range of compatible wheelsets to follow. N3W is highly versatile, featuring the same groove profiles as the classic Campagnolo body, but 4.4mm shorter and lighter.
With appropriate lockrings and adaptors, N3W is also compatible with all current and forthcoming Campagnolo 12-, 11- and 10-speed systems, with retro-fit kits available. As all current disc brake Campagnolo HH12 wheelsets are N3W-compatible you can easily update your wheels ready to run them with Ekar – switching wheelsets is easy and quick!
Ekar Derailleur
While the Ekar derailleur shares a heritage and research route with our Super Record and other systems, this all-new design has been created specifically for gravel, the dedicated 1x system and the 13-speed route that makes it so effective – underpinned by the use of a 9-tooth sprocket, enabling a full gearing range with short, evenly-spaced shifts and well maintained cadence levels.
Features:
- New design for 1×13-speed system – gravel-orientated performance & build
- 2D parallelogram trajectory – precise mechanical movement for 13 sprockets
- High grade polymer pulley wheels (12T upper, 14T lower) – smooth chain running & secure retention
- Carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide & anodised 7075 and 6082 alloys – for light weight, strength & durability
- Stainless steel bolts – for strength & long-term resilience on gravel
- Clutch lock – for easy wheel removal
- One derailleur fits all three cassette options – easy to switch for gearing changes
Ekar Crankset
The crankset is the heart of the new 1x Ekar system, with its optimised gearing ratios, sensitively spaced across a wide range. Of course, the single chainring is simple to use – no front mech, significantly reduced weight, fewer moving parts to collect dirt or clog, and providing high chain security, with no wasteful gearing overlap – perfect for gravel riding and racing.
Features:
- Lightweight, efficient, secure 1x Ekar system – perfect for gravel riding and racing
- 2-piece cranks: ultra-torque 630 steel axle & UD carbon arms – strong and lightweight
- 4 ring options – Adventure (38T); Pure Gravel (40T), Fast Gravel (42T), Gravel Race (44T)
- Narrow-wide tooth design – efficient drive & maximum chain security
- ProTech™ strong, efficient, self-aligning Hirth joint semi-axles
- Easy access to external crank bearings
- Easily interchangeable alloy rings – no need to disassemble crank
- 4 crank arm lengths – 165, 170, 172.5 and 175mm
- Narrow Q-factor – 145.5mm
Ekar Ergo Levers
For Ekar, we have made detailed gravel-orientated modifications to the popular and ergonomic Campagnolo Ergopowers control levers, and retained the inherent design of the system because of its renowned precision, and comfort with the Vari-Cushion™ hood. With differentiated levers you’ll never get a wrong shift – even in the tough environment of off-road riding and racing, Campagnolo’s tried and tested One-Lever-One-Action philosophy ensures no-confusion control.
Features:
- Comfortable support – Vari-Cushion™ hood provides comfortable, safe grip in any riding position and any off-road conditions
- Precise, quick shifting – One-Lever-One-Action and positive engagement with the efficient 1×13-speed Ekar drivetrain means a perfect change every time
- New Lever 3 design – easy to activate from the tops
- Enhanced grip – additional laser-cut texture on lever blades and controls is sweat- and wear-resistant
- Multiple action – up-shift 3 gears with Ultra-Shift™
- Ergonomic adjustable reach – to suit any hand or finger size
Ekar Calipers
As with Ekar’s Ergopower controls, the other elements of its disc braking system are developments of proven Campagnolo designs – faithful to our philosophy of continuous improvement, high performance and Italian style. The Ekar brake system’s internal hydraulics are shared with other Campagnolo high-performing calipers, using mineral oil and delivering the advanced modulation and distinctive feedback feel that works so well on the road… and works even better when you take to the gravel!
Features:
- Hydraulic system’s internals are shared with Campagnolo’s high-performance ranges – for proven performance
- Trusted modulation and progressive feel – perfect for all-road control
- DB310 pads unique organic compound – high braking performance & improved wear resistance in wet or dry conditions
- Strong, durable & light
Ekar Rotors
Ekar’s rotors are strong 1.85mm thick stainless tempered steel – staying straight and true long-term even under heavy and sustained braking. A choice of 140 and 160mm diameter rotors are available, to suit your riding style, and offering an additional weight saving potential. With the same caliper and pads, the larger rotor produces greater stopping power thanks to increased heat dissipation over its larger surface area.
Features:
- Hydraulic system’s internals are shared with Campagnolo’s high-performance ranges – for proven performance
- Trusted modulation and progressive feel – perfect for all-road control
- Tempered stainless steel rotors – strong, light & resistant to corrosion
- 140 and 160mm rotors – to suit your riding style and bike
140mm rotor
160mm rotor
Ekar C13 Chain
The new C13 chain is a vital element of the Ekar mechanical groupset; along with providing an efficient drive, in gravel riding a chain must work perfectly to contribute to the derailleur smooth, quick gear shifts, and always remain secure. It must also be strong and durable – and the Ekar C13 chain delivers impressively on all fronts. At just 4.9mm wide the C13 chain is 0.25mm narrower than the highly efficient Campagnolo 12-speed chain but delivers exactly the same high performance and durability that Campagnolo chains are renowned for.
Features:
- New C13 chain – developed specifically for Ekar 1×13-speed gravel system
- Wide-narrow teeth design – for efficient drive, smooth shifts & high security
- Narrow profile – light weight, strong & efficient
- Strong, durable, links – with different grades of steel & coatings for strength and to withstand wear
- Unique ultrasound bath lubrication impregnation system – for long-life efficiency
- Classic Pin and C-Link™ options – options for every kind of gravel rider
Ekar bottom bracket
The new Ekar bottom bracket is designed specifically for the rigors of all-road and gravel riding and racing.
It features the robust double-protection of Pro-Tech™ – a patented external sealing ring design protecting a strong, resilient fiberglass-charged polyamide central tube from the harmful ingress of water, mud and grit.
Features:
- Designed specifically for gravel riding and racing – protected from harmful ingress of water, mud & grit
- ProTech™ – a patented external sealing ring & strong fiberglass-polyamide tube
- Large, protected external stainless steel bearings attach directly to crank arms – for smooth, fluid performance and easy maintenance
- Full compatibility – all threaded and Pressfit standards
Local availability & pricing
Local Campagnolo distributor, Cycling J&J, have confirmed that Ekar should be available mid October 2020 with an expected retail price of R 33,000.
Awesome names for that heavy, barely functional, but '90's era Campagnolo beautiful' rubbish. Euclid, Centaur, Icarus. Probably Icarus was the most prescient name at launch...