Campagnolo Zonda GT gravel wheelset review

Campagnolo launched the Zonda GT wheelset alongside the EKAR GT, as a more affordable alloy option as a step down from their carbon Levante (1485g) option. Both wheel sets feature a mid-sized, 29.5mm lightly-milled rim depth, but the Zonda GT is slightly more portly at 1690g: far from ultra light but not excessively beefy for the price point.

Aesthetically, the black anodised finish slots right in and looks at home alongside the EKAR GT drivetrain: after all they are designed as a pidgeon pairing. 

Campagnolo are always one to put their unique spin on things and the Zonda is a nod to their ancestry, featuring their unique Mega-G3 spoke pattern that is iconic to the brand. This looks like 8 sets of 3 spokes originating from alternating sides of the hub. The combination of the spoke pattern alongside the Mega-G3 hub, which has an overrides flange to assist with ‘torsional forces’, leads to a claimed increased stiffness.

Campagnolo also use ‘rim dynamic balance’, offsetting the weight of the valve by augmenting the rim on the opposing side for better balance. As we were completing the Campagnolo groupset test, we ran these with the N3W free hub, but they are available with Shimano and XDR options for those looking for a gravel wheelset without a full drivetrain commitment.

Their two-way fit allows you to run either tubeless tyres or tubes depending on preference, making tubeless set up a breeze. It’s almost as if predominantly road-based manufacturers have been stealing technology from mountain biking.

With a 23mm internal width they have the capacity for skinny rubber or fatter gravel tyres. These were tested with a pair of Pirelli Cinturato gravel mixed terrain in 700×40. What was immediately noticeable was their stiffness, and how aero a 30mm rim depth could be, something I didn’t forsee prior to riding these. I enjoyed this extra speed in flatter, windy conditions; a tail or cross-tail wind really boosted speed (and morale).

But as with all things, it comes at a cost; I did notice more feedback and chatter than we have been used to with our existing shallower rims. While this can be muted a little with tyre selection including size and pressure, their vertical stiffness remained noticeable. 

While I didn’t notice any lateral flex with these wheels, it remains to be seen if a heavier rider would experience this.

Married up with the EKAR GT drivetrain, they hummed along beautifully on faster, flatter rides. But when things turned upwards we did notice their weight, requiring extra effort to get up to and maintain speed when climbing.

The price does reflect the product: $1179 isn’t excessive for a gravel wheelset, especially with the Campagnolo brand attached to it. When compared to a similar wheelset, the Easton EA70AX (1760g) that retail at $899, they are on the slightly higher end of a premium alloy gravel wheelset. But that reflects the nature of the premium brand of Campagnolo more broadly: you don’t go to the car dealership with funds for a Ford Focus and expect to get a Porsche Macan. Not that there is anything wrong with either of these, they’re just different levels of product.

If you are looking at an aesthetically clean-looking premium alloy wheelset at a reasonable weight then definitely consider the Zonda GT: whether it’s as part of a full Campagnolo package with the EKAR drivetrain, or married up with the other big two components manufacturers, they were an enjoyable ride in fast conditions, as long as you’re not solely chasing watts per kilogram.