Save for needing the newer 13 speed compatible chain tool, everything was just as you'd expect. We called up Mosaic to put in an order for a GT-1 dedicated for testing this new group. We've developed a close working relationship with Campagnolo over the years, and thanks to our long standing experience with gravel, they entrusted us to be one of the only shops and limited journalists to review a group set early to get our hands on and test out ahead of the launch. As soon as the boxes arrived, we dove straight into the build.įrom a mechanic's standpoint, there weren't too many surprises and the build was as easy as could be. Is it up to the task? Rest assured, we wasted no time trying to figure that out.Īs soon as we caught wind that this drivetrain was nearing it's launch, we knew knew we had to get our hands on it and get it on the trails.

Feast your eyes on Ekar, a purpose built 1x13 mechanical drivetrain, aiming to meet the demands of today's modern gravel riding. As much as we love it, we admit it took true dedication to make Campagnolo your gravel selection.Īt long last, the legendary Vicenza based brand has stepped up to the plate with an entirely new system. But as the gravel scene, and how people are riding their rigid drop-bar bikes has evolved, so have the needs of equipment, and if we're being honest, Sram and Shimano have more or less been the only ones taking those demands seriously. Now, anyone who knows anything about Above Category, knows we've had a long standing passion for all things Campagnolo, so of course dirt builds with Campy road groups have emerged from our work shop here and there. Sure, there are some fringe third party entries, like Rotor's hydraulic drivetrain, but as widely accepted and acclaimed gravel systems, Sram and Shimano have long run the show. The configurations may vary-the number of speeds, a mix and match of product families, the technology of the system-but for dirt, it always comes down to the two of them. Do an internet search for the best gravel drivetrain and you're bound to see two names show up.

Campagnolo gravel bike