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New TT/Triathlon and Cyclocross Components from Full Speed Ahead

fsa k-force carbon cyclocross brakes
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fsa k-force carbon cyclocross brakes

FSA had a ton of new stuff at Sea Otter, so we’re breaking it up in to a couple posts. The new K-Force Cyclocross Brake, above, uses two separate 50mm carbon fiber sides and can be set up in either a wide or narrow stance. The design (more pics after the break) incorporates a barrel adjuster so you don’t need to run one on the cable hanger, making for a cleaner overall bike appearance.

They also had new Energy ‘cross brakes, and some slick new aero goodies for time trialists and triathletes, all shown and weighed after the jump…

fsa k-force carbon cyclocross brakes fsa k-force carbon cyclocross brakes

Weight for the set is a respectable 161g/wheel with cable hanger, and they use a spare piece of brake cable to connect them. Top post pic shows them set wide, the two above show them in the narrow position. Some racers run wide in the front for more power and narrow in the rear for more heel clearance.

fsa energy cyclocross brakes are entry level price point cantilevers aimed at OEM placements

The Energy cyclocross brakes are an alloy price point item meant as a branded-but-entry-level choice for OEM spec. It’ll come with a fixed length (read: pre-triangulated with that center clamp piece) cable because apparently OEM folks like to spec that to help avoid lawsuits due to poor set up. The brakes will be available aftermarket, too.

titanium versus steel cyclocross cantilever brake springs

These were laying around, presumably the standard steel (left) and titanium (right) return springs for the ‘cross cantilevers. Only a gram difference, but several grams worth of bragging rights.

FSA Metron TFA one-piece carbon fiber aero bar with integrated stem, lever and bullhorn handlebar

Along with the new parts, FSA simplified their branding heirarchy to put products into family groups. The Metron/Vision groups are their top end, and will include the forthcoming complete carbon road drivetrain group we showed you at Interbike.

On the TT/Triathlon side, the new Metron TFA aerobar is a wind-tunnel tested one-piece design that incorporates a bull horn handlebar, adjustable aerobars, stem, elbow rests and bladed brake levers.

FSA Metron TFA one-piece carbon fiber aero bar with integrated stem, lever and bullhorn handlebar FSA Metron TFA one-piece carbon fiber aero bar with integrated stem, lever and bullhorn handlebar

The stem uses a shim system to angle the bar and stem. FSA says it’s the fastest, lightest and most adjustable aero bar they’ve ever made. The reach of the aerobars are adjustable by loosening the bolts on the red ano’d clamps and sliding them fore or aft.

FSA Metron TFA one-piece carbon fiber aero bar with integrated stem, lever and bullhorn handlebar

Shifters are also integrated and use their slick shifting system. Pull the lever to shift one way, and simply depress the front of the unit with your thumb to shift the other way.

FSA new metron aero brake blade levers with integrated return spring and internal cable run

Lastly, the new Metron bladed aero brake levers get a return spring to improve action and run the cable internally, letting you feed them directly into the bar ends rather than having them stick out for a few inches before ducking back into the bar.

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fred
fred
12 years ago

Those CX brakes look sick.

The aerobars on the other hand, look like something everyone was making four years ago.

fleche1454
fleche1454
12 years ago

@fred
so what does modern aero bar look like?
i think the vision one above is pretty modern with the stem integrated into the base bar, the cables running through the inside, the bull horns having integrated brakes, and the finish is bad ass

Adam
Adam
12 years ago

Wait, so I am looking at the scales right that the OEM brakes are lighter than the swanky carbon ones?

greg
greg
12 years ago

@adam
good catch. and the carbon 167g set is missing one of its steel mounting bolts. it should be heavier!

fred
fred
12 years ago

@fleche

The trend of integrating a stem into basebar has come an gone…the manufacturers learned that the consumer doesn’t want a fixed length and rise stem because it limits adjustability. Internal cable routing is not a feature, its a requirement on a tt aerobar.

With todays TT bikes with the super low head tubes and pro geometries this bar will simply not work for most people. You can’t get the extensions up and you can’t even change the angle of the stem (although it does mention some shims…). As far as i can tell, you also can’t run Di2…

sooo… yeah, this is only my opinion, but isn’t that what the comment section is for?

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