We’ve just been to see FSA in Italy, where we grabbed these hot photos of some new cranks and some very remarkable and well priced budget stuff.
On the carbon front there’s the new K-Force Light MegaExo compact chainset, the 3rd generation of these cranks. The arms are hollow, achieved using a removeable bladder process to ensure maximum compaction of the carbon and eliminate void areas. Weight, including bottom bracket, is 620g. Talking of the bottom bracket, the included item gets ceramic bearings.
There are also these new wheels, the RD-440 Magnesiums. The magnesium rim saves a lot of weight, 30% lighter than aluminium and the material has great stiffness properties, ideal in a wheelset. Total weight is 1,380g.
The new Shallow handlebars are available with three reach options, for perfect bike setup. There’s the Wing Pro, made from 7075 aluminium and weighing 264g, or two carbon options, the K-Force and SL-K.
Finally, FSA has designed new brake calipers, the Freno SL-K and Freno Energy. They both feature a compact dual pivot design with cold forged arms, and they’ve done a lot of research and development into the geometry to provide a powerful brake. To assist in stopping duties they’ve employed Koolstop DL brake pads, which a study by Velo magazine last year claimed to offer the best stopping performance in their tests. We’ll be getting some on test soon so can see just how good they are…
For now, here’s some photos of the new products.
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 Double chain rings available in team livery, for the pro teams only |
 K Force Cranks in hollow cross section |
 Lighter and stronger than before |
 Available in a choice of chainring (compact or standard) |
 The new BB features ceramic bearings and a lightweight axle |
 The Compact specific front mech is improved |
 Brakes in two qualities (this is the top range SL-K with titanium fittings) |
 Very lightweight, as used by Astana in 2006 |
 The SL-K also uses Kool Stop’s excellent brake pads |
 Bearing kits for FSA BBs and hubs, including all the seals, bolts and spacers |
 Big news is this all new design shallow drop carbon bar – We like |
 Three cross and radial spoking and a sealed ceramic bearing |
 Rims are clincher and mid section – staggeringly light, like carbon |
 Very light weight front hub |
 Lightweight and durable, but still to be fully launched |
