Gravel is a booming cycling discipline for a few years and component brands have adapted to this boom, launching specific products to meet the needs of its practitioners.
To the specific forks, forks or wheels, the specific transmission groups for Grass and Ciclocross are added, with a series of special characteristics, technologies and developments to pedal efficiently by the paths or earth tracks and thus extract the highest performance of the bicycle.
If you have one
Serla bicycle Or you are planning to make the leap to this modality, we present the current groups that the main manufacturers have launched to the market for Grange.
Is a group compatible with the Gravel or a specific grave group better?
Before thoroughly examining the different specific transmissions options for Grass, it must , cyclocross or even
Mountain Bike. This is the case of the novel and advanced
Rotor 13, or the Force and rival ranges of SRAM.
Since the grave is a cycling modality that collects characteristics and mechanical elements of others, there is still no variety of specific groups for this use. Currently, there are only two brands that offer them: Shimano and Campagnolo.
Shimano Grx
Shimano launched its specific group for Grange
Grx of 10, 11 speeds and special version di2 in 2019, composed of connecting rods, plates, rear and front divers, handles, brake tweezers and tires.
The rest of the components (chain, cassette, pedals or brake disc) are not specific to the group as such, but are part of the Shimano Ultegra and 105 road or Deore XT of MTB groups, with which it has total compatibility.
From the brake handles of the Shimano Grx group, a telescopic shell can be operated.
Likewise, the specific components of the group inherit a good part of the Shimano road change technologies and
Mountain Bike, adapting them slightly for the practice of grave. So are each of these components:
Connecting rods
They are available with double -plate options (2x11 and 2x10) or monopathing (only for 1x11). The arm is made of aluminum with Hollowtech II technology (inherited from the MTB), whose forged is hollow for lightening weight and keeping resistance and stiffness levels at the same time.
On the other hand, the chain line is +2.5 mm to adapt to the assemblies with wider tires.
Available with 46-30D developments and 48-31d on double plate and 40 and 42 teeth for cars.
Deviators
Other components specifically designed for this Shimano Grx group are the front and rear divers. The first, designed for 2x10 and 2x11 relationships, as well as a special version for DI2, offers a soft change drive thanks to its integrated cable tensioner, easy to adjust.
It has also been adapted to the largest 2.5 mm line to adapt to the assembly of wide tires. As for the rear, highlights the inclusion of the Shimano Shadow RD+ chain stabilizer with an integrated lever to activate or turn it off. A very useful technology to neutralize the frequent chain jumps in irregular terrain.
Handles
GRX brake handles make up the front and rear button. Its design has a special ergonomics to adapt to serious use and have a textured finish to prevent the hand from sliding.
In addition, the handle pivot axis has risen 18 mm above, to further facilitate its drive. Finally, from them it is possible to act a telescopic shell.
Conclusions of the Shimano Grx group
The best: It has double -plate and monopathic development options, with 10 and 11 speed cassette. In addition, it has a special version of electronic change DI2.
Worst: It does not have a specific cassette for this group.
CAMPAGNOLO EKAR
Recently in the market, the
CAMPAGNOLO EKAR It is the second 100% Group for Grange, created exclusively for this modality.
Its main characteristic is that it is only designed and manufactured in 1x13 version, thus exploring this new development option that has only previously made the rotor brand with its Rotor 13 multidisciplinary group.
Another of its claims is the exclusive design for the serious discipline of all its components. From the cassette to the tweezers and brake discs, passing through the deviators or the handles, they have developed specifically for this group.
The only paste of the Campagnolo Ekar group for Grange is that it does not have an electronic change version.
Thus, they will not have to acquire the cassette or the brake disc of another group of Campagnolo de Carretera to complete the assembly as it happens with Shimano.
This is the Campagnolo Ekar group, component component:
Cassette
One of the strengths of the Campagnolo Ekar is its 13-speed cassette, which can be chosen in 3 variants, depending on the type of grave that most practices the cyclist: endurance 9-36D of rolling profile, GraveL Race 9-42D of high performance and Serla Adventure 10-44d of climbing approach.
It is manufactured in two aluminum and steel monobloques that combine lightness and durability.
Deviators
They stand out for their elaborate construction by combining materials such as polyamide and carbon fiber for its slight structure, and stainless steel bolts to confer greater resistance.
It also incorporates a clutch lock block into the rear to extract the wheel easily.
Connecting rods
The commitment to carbon to save weight continues with connecting rods, using unidirectional fibers as an arm material.
They are available in four lengths (165 mm, 170 mm, 172.5 mm and 175 mm) and the dishes (manufactured in aluminum 7075) are offered in versions of 38, 40, 42 and 44 teeth.
Chain
The chain is another design element to support the large amount of crown changes to which it will be subjected. It is 0.25 mm narrower than a 12 speed (4.9 mm). On the other hand, it has internal high -resistance C60 steel links with nickel and teflon treatment that increases its durability.
Handles
They increase adaptation to the cyclist by its double curve shape. As for the buttons, it is based on operation
One Lever, One Action so that each of them possesses a single function, to raise and lower crowns.
In addition, they incorporate the brand's ultra shift change technology, with which you can climb three crowns just by clicking once.
Brakes
Hydraulic disc brakes have a special clamp that expands the braking modulation margin with respect to road brakes. The discs are specific to this group and are available in diameters of 140 mm and 160 mm, as well as the pills, organic and high wear resistance.
CONCLUSIONS OF THE CAMPAGNOLO EKAR GROUP
The best: The group has exclusive components for grave, light and resistant. It does not inherit components of other change groups. It has a 13 -speed cassette.
Worst: It can only be acquired with mechanical change. It does not have an electronic version.
SRAM FORCE 1
As we have already mentioned, SRAM does not have a specific grave group such as Shimano or Campagnolo, but versions of their road groups with elements adapted to such use.
They are easily identified because SRM adds a 1 to the generic denomination of each road group to indicate that it is a variant adapted to the Grave. There are three versions:
- SRAM FORCE 1 for high range.
- Rival 1 for mid -range.
- SRAM APEX 1 for low range.
They all have in common that they are 11 -speed monoplat transmissions, although Apex 1 is compatible with 10V cassettes.
The difference is the ergonomics of the change handles, more achieved in the Force 1 than in the other two. And change technology, more efficient in Force 1.
That is why we are going to stop more in the change SRAM FORCE 1, which is the group that can best rival in the market with the Campagnolo Ekar and the most complete version of Shimano Grx.
In addition, the new SRAM FORCE ETAX Electronic (and wireless) group also has connecting rods and dishes whose developments and teeth design are adapted for serious bicycles and cyclocross.
Cassette
There are two 11-speed cassette options compatible with the Force 1 group: the XG-1175 with the most climbing range 10-42 or the most rolling and focused on PG-1130 performance, with 11-25d range options, 11-26d, 11-28d, 11-32D, 11-36d.
DESTICTOR
The rear -rear diverte 1 has an exclusive design inherited from the groups to
Mountain Bike, with pin locking, 12 teeth rolls with special anti mud and anti -lateral displacement of the exact active chain and technology that guarantees rapid and precise changes.
Connecting rods
The connecting rods are one of the star components of the group. The rod arm is carbon fiber to save weight, while the dish, aluminum, incorporates X-Sync technology to avoid chain jumps and exits and a special design to evacuate the mud quickly.
They are available with 38d, 40D, 42D, 44D, 46D, 50D, 52D, 54D dishes.
Handles
Force 1 handles have a light double curvature form so that the cyclist can act more efficiently.
In the hydraulic disc brake version, the internal part has been designed in such a way that the brake fluid circuit is easily accessed to purge them.
On the other hand, the design of the button has been optimized, to be lighter and more ergonomic.
Brakes
The hydraulic disc brake game incorporates the specific Force clamp with which it is possible to stop with great force by tightening the handles as little as possible.
Conclusions of the SRAM FORCE 1 group
The best: Its mechanical simplicity. In addition, it is possible to acquire low -cost serious alternatives (rival 1 and Apex 1)
Worst: It is a valid group for Gravel, but it is not and designed 100% for this discipline, but is an adaptation of the road group.
