1x Campagnolo Ekar drivetrain

[Yoln]

The shift up she does is definitely Electronic, she barely pushes the lever.

Looks like e-Ekar to me

[robertbb]

Nah.



The hood pattern and overall shape have been reworked and resemble Super Record Wireless but (unless the design of the electronics is vastly different from Super Record Wireless) it's a mechanical refresh. Look at how the inside plastic lever connects all the way back up into the body. The electronic versions don't do that.

[Yoln]

I hear you, but her gesture wouldn't be shifting enough to shift a mechanical shifter with such a small flick... heck, we'll find out in a few hours anyway I guess

[Roel W]

Is it just me or did the Campagnolo Srl Instagram account disappeared?
This link doesn't work anymore, complete Instagram account is also gone:

Seems like we will see an updated EKAR on Feb 20! https://www.instagram.com/p/C3c1Z3_taSi

[robertbb]

Is it just me or did the Campagnolo Srl Instagram account disappeared?
This link doesn't work anymore, complete Instagram account is also gone:

Seems like we will see an updated EKAR on Feb 20! https://www.instagram.com/p/C3c1Z3_taSi

I'm not saying it's aliens.

But it's aliens.

[usr]

Nah.



The hood pattern and overall shape have been reworked and resemble Super Record Wireless but (unless the design of the electronics is vastly different from Super Record Wireless) it's a mechanical refresh. Look at how the inside plastic lever connects all the way back up into the body. The electronic versions don't do that.

Perhaps for 1x WRL they go all SRAM with left/right paddles and use one chip+cr2032 for upshift and another chip+cr2032, reintroducing large mechanical levers in the process that actuate a button that isn't part of the brake lever? Who knows!

Jokes (hand-jokes?) aside, at least there isn't anything obvious yet on the FCC mirror sites.

[gorkypl]

Perhaps for 1x WRL they go all SRAM with left/right paddles and use one chip+cr2032 for upshift and another chip+cr2032, reintroducing large mechanical levers in the process that actuate a button that isn't part of the brake lever? Who knows!

I doubt it TBH, Campagnolo seems to be reusing components and approaches across groupsets: current Ekar hoods are based on Ch/R/SR, crank was a rebadged Chorus, callipers are the same for all groups, Ekar GT seems to have same hood shape as SR WRL etc. So my guess would be a mechanism similar to SR WRL, perhaps with larger/more pronounced buttons? Pure guessing from my side of course.

ALso SRAM's solution is most probably covered by multiple patents - also because how good it is...

[Weltverloren]

It's a heavier mechanical Ekar.
...or "adventure ready", as it's also called. : D

https://www.bikeradar.com/news/campagnolo-ekar-gt

It's supposed to be more affordable, which is a good thing of course, but given the low real world prices of regular Ekar, the MSRP of the GT group is actually 500 Euro higher and I guess it remains to be seen where the actual price will settle.

[gorkypl]

It's a heavier mechanical Ekar.
...or "adventure ready", as it's also called. : D

https://www.bikeradar.com/news/campagnolo-ekar-gt

It's supposed to be more affordable, which is a good thing of course, but given the low real world prices of regular Ekar, the MSRP of the GT group is actually 500 Euro higher and I guess it remains to be seen where the actual price will settle.

I would expect the regular Ekar might be updated some time next year - new crank with smaller BCD, new shifters, updated RD - and will be back to higher prices. And Ekar WRL positioned at the very top, with even higher MSRP. Unless they want to differentiate even more and continue with Ekar GT and Ekar WRL only, killing the high-tier mechanical.

[usr]

Nice, for once a portfolio decision i can get behind 100%. Might scratch some of the halo off Ekar proper, but they shoould better convert the 1x13 exclusivity into wider reach while it lasts.

Large delta between MSRP and street price is certainly painful for any trickle down release...

Anyone (of those not under NDA) had cheaper Ekar on their bingo sheet? I certainly did not, not by a far margin. In hindsight, it seems so obvious!

PS: are those the most different similar-looking Campag derailleurs ever? They seem to have zero parts compatibility, despite at least the upper knuckle trying hard to have similar lines. Indication of manufacturer outsourced to wherever the "shimano brake pads" rim brakes come from? That could be huge wrt to both eventual street price and OEM availability.

[Miller]

It's good to see a campagnolo offering for almost the mass market. There are some changes still to be understood: a new clutch, possibly a lower profile lever?

[morrisond]

It's good to see a campagnolo offering for almost the mass market. There are some changes still to be understood: a new clutch, possibly a lower profile lever?

I think the rubber hood just wraps over the front of the lever more - in side by side pictures they appear to be the same overall height.

[DrimeOser]

That Ekar is a bit surprising to me. I thought, the regular Ekar would recieve a major update. Shift quality, creaking cassette and notch at the lever foremost would need addressing in my experience.
Thre regular Ekar group is readily available for much below retail.

[CampagYOLO]

That Ekar is a bit surprising to me. I thought, the regular Ekar would recieve a major update. Shift quality, creaking cassette and notch at the lever foremost would need addressing in my experience.
Thre regular Ekar group is readily available for much below retail.

I think regular Ekar will receive a major update in a year or so but the main change will be to make it wireless. This cheaper, mechanical version does lay the groundwork for this to happen as there would then be a clear difference between the two groups aside from weight.

[DrimeOser]

[/quote]

I think regular Ekar will receive a major update in a year or so but the main change will be to make it wireless. This cheaper, mechanical version does lay the groundwork for this to happen as there would then be a clear difference between the two groups aside from weight.
[/quote]

Now that makes a lot of sense.