FSA SL-K Light chainset £399.99

There’s a huge amount of development in the world of cranks at the moment. Cranks can be considered one of the most important components on the bike, what with having to transfer power, resist bending, and all this while being as light as possible. It’s quite a lot to ask from a component.

FSA has been leading the charge on carbon chainsets and has been working hard to get the formula right, with each year bring an even lighter and stiffer offering. The SL-K Light’s, one rung below the lightest (and most expensive) K-Force range, are a light and stiff option for those wanting an aftermarket chainset.

The carbon cranks use internal I-Beam reinforced hollow arms with glass fibre-enhanced uni-directional carbon fibre to keep the weight low but ensure they’re stiff enough for withstanding even the most powerful riders. Powerhouse Fabian Cancellara has been rocking FSA chainsets for the past couple of years and he’s had no problems with them…

A 24mm hollow chromoly axle is permanently attached to the drive-side crank arm and a pair of 7075 CNC machined chainrings are bolted to the carbon spider using five Torx T-30 alloy chainring bolts. There are ramps and pins to aid shifting and following testing with different groupsets proved to be reliable and guaranteed quick shifts all the time.

Installing the FSA’s was straightforward enough. On the road, the bearings provide a noticeably smooth ride, and the chainrings slick shifting time and time again, and are on a par with the Shimano chainset that they replaced. They offer a suitably solid pedalling platform and are incredibly stiff, but as to whether you’re going to notice a huge hike in stiffness compared to the cranks they’re replacing, it’s hard to tell. A lacquer coating keeps the carbon arms from being scuffed if your shoes brush against them.

Weight is an on-the-money 780g, including bottom bracket. 170, 172.5, 175, 177.5, 180mm crank arm lengths are available, and 50/34 (as tested) and 53/39 variations are on offer.