Campagnolo Ekar Bamboo Gravel Build

Campagnolo Ekar and a bamboo frame. Italian precision meets sustainable craft, photographed against one of London's most iconic sporting venues.

That's the Lee Valley VeloPark in the background — Zaha Hadid's swooping velodrome from the 2012 Olympics. And in the foreground, a gravel bike that proves bamboo builds can carry the finest components without breaking a sweat.

The colour scheme here is bold. Teal lugs against natural bamboo is a combination we see fairly often, but that bright yellow fork changes everything. It's a risk — yellow can go wrong quickly — but here it works. The gum wall tyres tie the warm tones together, creating a cohesive palette that feels vintage-modern.

Campagnolo's Ekar groupset was designed specifically for gravel racing. Thirteen speeds, a single chainring, and that distinctive Italian mechanical precision. It's not a cheap choice, but it's a statement: this bamboo frame is worthy of the best.

The bars are wrapped in what looks like a matching pattern to the lugs — attention to detail that elevates the whole build. Same with the saddle choice, keeping things dark to let the frame and fork do the talking.

Photographing a bike against the velodrome is cheating slightly. That building makes anything look good. But then again, this bike doesn't need the help. It would turn heads in any car park. 🏟️

Build your own: Our Gravel Lugged Frame Build Kit uses pre-formed aluminium lugs, for a quicker route to your own bamboo gravel frame. Or browse all our bamboo bike frame kits.