Years before SRAM rolled out a 13spd gravel group, Campagnolo introduced its Ekar group, a 13spd mechanical option. Now the Italian brand has a slightly cheaper, slightly heavier version called Ekar GT. How does it work? I took a Basso Palta with the group to FoCo Fondo to find out.
In this video I compare it to the other gravel groups out there on the market in a similar price range.
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CHAPTERS
0:00 intro
1:50 hats!
2:15 FoCo Fondo
5:00 chugability
5:52 Ekar GT
10:10 price, weight comparisons
11:48 Basso Palta
15:10 Ultradynamico Cava
18:23 Zonda GT
28 Comments
Been curious about the EKAR performance. Price point seems too high but CAMPY’s pretty much a boutique brand.
Trying to corner behind a flatrack moto rider, yes they pretty much turn right to go left 🤣 I ride with one!
Happy Anniversary
happy anniversary Ben. be well!
Ekar GT 1x only and between $1000 and $1600, Microshift SWORD 1x and 2x and $300-$400 dollars, hmmm!
Love the depth of information, the candor, and the positivity. I have learned a tremendous amount from this channel in the last 6 months. Thank you Ben and happy anniversary.
The Trek aid station is handing out Specialized bottles?
I had the original Ekar loved the look of it but that was all , it never worked well at all, I went to several bike shops to have a go at setting it up in the end I sold the bike , went with Sram and ave been happy ever since
I’ve had ekar for 3 years on my Lynskey pro gr. Served me well with no major issues. I do find myself wishing for more gears at the top of the cassette though.
I’ve had ekar for 3 years on my Lynskey pro gr. Served me well with no major issues. I do find myself wishing for more gears at the top of the cassette though.
Streetprice for regular Ekar is below 900,- Euro.
Love the video.. congrats to you and your wife 😊. My wife and i has been together for 30 years today. ❤ it started at a 40 years birthday and we are going to the same persons 70 years birthday today. A lot to celebrate In life 😊👍 keep up the good work. 🇩🇰🇺🇸
I grew up in FoCo in the 1960s and I think there was a bike shop in that alley way you rode through near the start of the video. Happy anniversary.
Even 10 speed mechanical is good for gravel, unless you're a pro trying to win a race or something. Upfront costs are lower, consumable parts cost are lower, indexing is simpler, cassette can be lighter too.
I have a flat bar gravel bike with MT200 brakes and 10 speed Deore for more than half a decade now, never dropped a chain on gravel, pavement, nor single track. Crashed it thrice, no broken parts, just scuffed the aluminium fork and bar ends.
How useful are the shoulder knobs on the Roses in turns or on chunkier gravel in general? It's one of the very few "suppleness-oriented" tires available in my favourite sweet spot width of 42 mm so curious to know how it performs.
I’ve been using the Elite 950cc bottles for a while now. I have the transparent ones. They do feel thin, but that’s an advantage. 1). Good chugg. 2). Easier to get in and out of tight fitting bottle cages. 3). Big opening allows easy filling and powder scoop goes right inside to discharge powder. Being transparent, fluid levels are visible at all times.
Sadly, Campy has almost become irrelevant in today's cycling game. Big S bottle handed out by Trek is priceless 😂
Ya $1600-$1800 for mechanical is a joke. I would buy one of the 4 e-group sets for less. My current setup is a 13×2 and weighs 2200g crank and bb and brakes included.
I literally put dog hair in my Orange Seal or Stan’s sealant. He’s a black German Shepherd and it looks just like that. Organic and biodegradable.
Greasy drivetrain … 🙈
+1 for the "driving a manual" description — perfect description of the Ekar user experience and the sense of superiority you feel over people using the other system!
Can't imagine anyone buying this….never even seen this groupset in person. Paying more than a wireless groupset and lack of part availability.
Always a good time when Ben shows up!
fwiw it's super easy to find a full Ekar groupset for under $1000 these days (the lighter, non-GT one)
Ben thanks for being respectful to Campagnolo in your review. Watched another review on YouTube who tested the group that literally disliked everything about the group and brand. Guess he never owned a pair of Delta brakes!
Great review. Congratulations on the wedding anniversary🥂
Campag developed the braking with the best in the biz, Magura. That’s a very different approach than any brand out there. Nice to see Campag getting an honest shot of reality. I can wait for Ekar-E, when it goes electric. (Sshhh!). Thanks Ben.
Again…. I'll stick with my 10/52 sram cassette….it's the year 2024!!!
Happy Anniversary!
Campy is always more expensive, that's what makes it cool..