Campagnolo Ekar GT: 13-Speed Gravel Goes Wireless

Campagnolo just dropped Ekar GT, and it's the wireless, 13-speed evolution the original mechanical Ekar promised but never quite delivered. Announced May 24, the new groupset abandons cables entirely, adopts a 9-36T cassette with a 9-tooth cog for the first time in Campy history, and integrates power measurement into the spindle—all while maintaining Ekar's defining characteristic: a 1x-only design purpose-built for gravel.

The move puts Campagnolo squarely in competition with SRAM's AXS ecosystem and Shimano's GRX Di2, but with typically Italian flair: the shift buttons feature a new tactile dome design that Campy claims improves feedback even through thick gloves, and the derailleur clutch has been redesigned for quieter operation with 30% more retention force.

The 9-36T Gambit

Ekar GT's most controversial specification is the 9-36T cassette paired with chainring options from 38T to 44T. A 44x9 top gear delivers 5.22 meters of development—slightly lower than SRAM's 10-44T offering with a 44T ring (4.69 meters) but with tighter jumps across the middle cogs. Campagnolo is betting that gravel riders care more about smooth cadence transitions than absolute top-end speed.

The 9-tooth cog required a complete redesign of the freehub body, now dubbed Ekar GT Hub. It's not compatible with existing Ekar or Campagnolo wheels, which will frustrate early adopters of the mechanical Ekar system. But the engineering rationale is sound: smaller cogs mean less chain wrap, which reduces friction and allows for faster shifting under load. Campagnolo claims shift times of 0.28 seconds from the 9T to the 10T cog, compared to 0.35 seconds on the previous mechanical Ekar.

The cassette uses a 4-spider cluster design for the smallest six cogs, then individual cogs for the remaining seven. Weight for the full cassette is 295 grams, competitive with SRAM's X-Sync offering at 303 grams but heavier than Shimano's XTR 10-45T at 278 grams.

Wireless Architecture and Battery Life

Ekar GT uses Campagnolo's MyCampy wireless protocol, the same system deployed on Super Record Wireless. Each shifter houses a CR2032 coin battery rated for approximately 18 months of riding, while the rear derailleur uses a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion pack promising 60 hours of ride time per charge. That's slightly better than SRAM's AXS (50-60 hours depending on conditions) but behind Shimano Di2's impressive 1,000-kilometer range via semi-wired architecture.

The system supports over-the-air firmware updates via Bluetooth connection to the MyCampy smartphone app, and riders can customize shift speed, multi-shift behavior, and even program the thumb buttons on each lever to control third-party devices like cycling computers or action cameras. The app also displays real-time battery status and shift count metrics, though it stops short of offering the deep maintenance analytics that SRAM's AXS app provides.

Power Meter Integration

Here's where Ekar GT gets interesting for data-focused riders: the crankset includes a spindle-based power meter as standard on the top-tier GT and GT Ti versions. It's a single-sided measurement system using strain gauges embedded in the non-driveside crank spindle, then doubling the value to estimate total power. Campagnolo claims +/- 1.5% accuracy, in line with industry standards, and the system transmits via ANT+ and Bluetooth simultaneously.

Single-sided measurement has limitations—it assumes perfectly balanced left-right power distribution, which is rarely true—but for most riders, the convenience of integrated measurement outweighs the precision loss. The power meter adds approximately 40 grams to the crankset and runs on a separate CR2032 battery rated for 300 hours. Total crankset weight with the power meter is 655 grams for a 172.5mm crank length with a 42T ring.

Pricing and Availability

Ekar GT will ship in three trim levels: GT Ti (titanium hardware, carbon lever bodies, $2,899), GT (aluminum hardware, carbon levers, $2,399), and GT Sport (composite levers, no power meter, $1,799). Those prices position Ekar GT at a slight premium to SRAM Force AXS XPLR ($1,850 without power, $2,400 with) and well above Shimano GRX Di2 ($1,600 for the 12-speed RX820 level).

Availability begins June 15 for complete groupsets, with aftermarket wheelsets featuring the GT Hub launching in July from Campagnolo's Bora, Shamal, and Zonda lines. Third-party wheel manufacturers including Fulcrum, DT Swiss, and Hunt have announced GT Hub compatibility coming in Q3 2026.

Compatibility Headaches

The move to a proprietary hub standard will frustrate riders who invested in Ekar-compatible wheels over the past three years. Campagnolo insists the 9-tooth cog physically cannot fit on the existing Ekar freehub without compromising spoke flange geometry, but the decision fragments the market and creates inventory challenges for shops and riders alike. If you're running mechanical Ekar now, you can't upgrade to GT without also replacing your rear wheel—a $600-1,200 proposition depending on your choice of hoops.

What This Means for Your Riding

If you're spec'ing a new gravel bike or considering a groupset upgrade, Ekar GT offers a compelling package for riders who prioritize shift quality and integrated power measurement over ultimate weight savings. The 9-36T cassette range works best for riders who run slightly larger chainrings (42-44T) and prefer tighter gear steps over extreme low-end bailout ratios. If you frequently ride loaded or tackle sustained 10%+ grades, SRAM's 10-44T or Shimano's 10-51T options provide more climbing cushion.

The wireless architecture shines for riders who hate cable maintenance or ride in wet, muddy conditions where housing contamination degrades shift quality. But the battery life equation requires discipline—you'll need to charge the derailleur every 2-3 weeks of regular riding, and coin batteries in the shifters need annual replacement. Keep spares in your toolkit, or you'll be soft-pedaling home in whatever gear you were in when the shifter died.