CAMPAGNOLO Ekar Gravel groupset 1x13
With the Ekar, Campagnolo claims to offer the lightest gravel groupset on the market. The groupset was named after the Cima Ekar, the local mountain not far from Campagnolo's headquarters in Vicenza. In contrast to the competition, the Italians rely on a mechanical 1x13 shifting system for their top off-road groupset. The elimination of the front derailleur ensures extremely efficient and, even in rough terrain, easy-to-handle gear changes. Three cassette options and 1x chainrings from 38 to 44 teeth ensure a wide variety of gear ratios and the necessary range.
Crank
The Ekar crank with its shiny UD carbon finish is not only a feast for the eyes, the technical values of the gravel crank are also impressive. With its 1-speed setup, it saves a lot of weight compared to the Campagnolo 2-speed cranks and has fewer individual parts for gravel use on which dirt can accumulate. Its chainring options from 38 to 44 teeth offer the right gear ratio for every type of gravel biker. As the chainring can be replaced without removing the crank, the gear ratio can also be adapted for different areas of use and routes in no time at all. The narrow-wide tooth profile of the chainrings ensures optimum chain retention.
For the crankshaft system, Campagnolo relies on Pro-Tech technology, a further development of the Ultra-Torque system optimized for gravel use. As with the Campagnolo UltraTorque system, the crankarms are connected to each other via 2x stainless steel half-shafts with Hirth splines in the frame. They are bolted together using an oversized bolt with a 10 millimeter Allen key. The oversized bearings pressed onto the half shafts have seals specially optimized for Gravel use for increased durability.Thanks to 8 different Pro-Tech bearing shells, the Ekar crank is compatible with all common bottom bracket standards. Matching crank protection caps are included in the scope of delivery to protect against stone chips and crank impacts.
Shift/brake levers
For the Ekar groupset, Campagnolo made numerous detail-oriented changes to the tried-and-tested Ergopower shift/brake levers. The most noticeable change is the newly shaped inner shift lever, which is easier to reach with the thumb in the STI grip position thanks to its larger C-shape. To increase control in off-road use, the aluminum brake levers have a laser-cut finish with a special surface that improves grip in all weather conditions. For optimum ergonomics, the grip width can be adjusted to the size of the hand. In addition, the Vari-Cushion-Hoods offer a comfortable and secure grip position. For the shifting logic, Campagnolo continues to rely on the proven Ultra-Shift system, which has been upgraded to 13-speed. When shifting up, up to 3 gears can be bypassed with one shifting movement. In contrast to the Road version, only one gear can be shifted at a time when shifting into a faster gear to prevent accidental shifting on rough terrain.
The newly designed Ekar brake callipers, which use mineral oil as a braking medium just like the Campagnolo Road brake callipers, ensure optimum braking performance. The Ekar brake callipers also use the tried and tested organic DB310 pads. These have a carrier plate with vibration compensation, which can reduce brake vibrations and the associated annoying squealing.
Rear derailleur
The Ekar rear derailleur is a completely new development for Campagnolo's gravel groupset. The rear derailleur geometry has been designed so that the rear derailleur with its medium-length cage works perfectly with the 3 available Ekar cassettes. The enlarged rear derailleur pulleys with 12 and 14 teeth, in conjunction with a vibration damper, ensure that the chain runs smoothly and safely at all times. For easy wheel changes, the rear derailleur can be decoupled from the spring tension in a vertical position via a cage lock. In total, the complex rear derailleur consists of 70 individual parts made from 7075 aluminum, 6082 aluminum and carbon composite. Campagnolo uses stainless steel for the rear derailleur bolts for maximum durability.
Cassette
The 3 versions of the Ekar cassette are tailored to the different riding styles and requirement profiles of gravel bikers. Campagnolo recommends the version with 9-36 teeth for all-road use and for endurance endurance bikers.With 9-42 teeth, the Gravel Race version has the widest range for maximum top speed and still enough reserves for steep climbs. The Gravel Adventure version with 10-44 teeth allows slightly less maximum speed in favor of increased climbing ability for the steepest ramps. All cassette variants share the closely spaced smallest sprockets with 6 1-tooth steps in order to maintain the optimum cadence in the high speed range. The smallest sprockets with 9 or 10 teeth reduce the weight of the cassettes, which are each made from 2 sprocket blocks milled from the solid. The largest sprockets are mounted on an aluminum spider. A special surface treatment makes the chain run more smoothly and extends the service life of the sprockets enormously. The cassettes are mounted on the newly developed Campagnolo N3W freehub heads. They have the same design as classic Campagnolo freehub bodies, but are 4.4 millimetres shorter to make room for the 9 or 10 sprocket.
Chain
The Campagnolo Ekar C13 chain was specially manufactured for the Ekar groupset and optimized for use with the Campagnolo Narrow-Wide chainring of the Ekar crankset. At just 4.9 millimetres wide, the Ekar chain is 0.25 millimetres narrower than the Campagnolo 12-speed chains. Nevertheless, the engineers have succeeded in ensuring that the Ekar chain achieves the same running performance and durability as the 11-speed and 12-speed versions. The chain links are made of high-quality steel and have a nickel-Teflon coating. This reduces possible corrosion to a minimum and reduces friction losses. For long-lasting lubrication, the C13 chains are treated with a special lubricant in an ultrasonic bath. The chain is locked with the enclosed C-Link chain lock.
NOTE: The chain lock must be replaced when the chain wears out again, as it is slightly damaged during assembly and poses a safety risk when used again.
Technical data:
Material: Aluminum, plastic
Gears: 1x13
Brake type: hydraulic disc brake
Brake mounting: Flat Mount
Crankshaft: Campagnolo Ultra-Torque, 25 mm
Crank length: 160; 170; 172.5 or 175 mm
Chainring: 38, 40, 42 or 44 teeth
Chainring mount: 123 mm | 4-arm
Cassette gradation: 9-36, 9-42 or 10-44 teeth
Freehub body compatibility: Campagnolo N3W
Weight according to manufacturer: n.a.
Weight self-weighed: from approx. 2300g
Scope of delivery:
1x Campagnolo Ekar Carbon crank
1x Campagnolo Ekar Ergopower shift | brake lever right 1x13 set including flatmount brake calipers incl. brake pads
1x Campagnolo Ekar Ergopower brake lever left | set including flatmount brake calipers incl. brake pads
1x shift cable with outer housing
2x brake hose filled
1x olive and support sleeve for shortening the brake hose
1x Camapagnolo Ekar rear derailleur 13-speed
1x Campagnolo Ekar 13-speed cassette
1x Campagnolo Ekar 13-speed cassette | 118 links including C-Link chain lock
CAMPAGNOLO Adapter for Flat Mount Caliper mount rear | 140 mm to 160 mmavailable from stock
CAMPAGNOLO Adapter for Flat Mount Caliper mount front | 160 | 140 mmavailable from stock
CAMPAGNOLO Ekar C13 Chain 13-speed | 118 links with Chain Connectoravailable from stock
