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EB16: First Look at FSA semi-wireless K-Force WE disc brake prototype group

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fsa_k-force-we-disc_semi-wireless-electronic-road-disc-brake-drivetrain-component-group_hydraulic-levers

We took a pretty in-depth look a couple of weeks back at FSA’s new partly wireless road K-Force WE groupset when it was introduced in the lead up to Eurobike. Using wireless communication from each combined shift/brake lever to the systems brain, a pair of wires then transmit power and shift signals to the derailleurs, both attached to the seatpost battery. But while some had seen FSA as late to come to the electronic shifting party, they are progressing rather quickly and also had one very finished looking prototype group on hand of a disc brake WE groupset. We took it for a spin, took a closer look, and got as many details as we could…

fsa_k-force-we-disc_semi-wireless-electronic-road-disc-brake-drivetrain-component-group_hydraulic-lever-body fsa_k-force-we_wireless-electronic-road-drivetrain-component-group_mechanical-lever-bodie

What you first notice when looking at the two different levers side-by-side (hydraulic disc brake – left; mechanical rim brake – right) is the shape of the hood. The disc brake lever body has a distinct hump in it that is visually striking. Having ridden it, it is almost unnoticeable. It sits just behind the bulk of the thumb when slid all the way forward on the hoods and when sitting back more on the transition from bar to hood it was just in front of the hand. Undoubtedly some people might find it to be a nuisance, but it posed no issue to us in our short time on the bike.

The hydraulic disc brake hood is also bulkier at the tip, while being shorter in height overall. Width wise, it was a slight bit wider, but again with a reasonable range that made it disappear in the palm of our hands rather quickly. While the likes of Shimano apparently went to great lengths to develop all of their 4 variations on their most recently introduced Dura-Ace lever bodies so they would have the same profile and feel in the hand, it is clear that the same exercise wasn’t a driving factor at FSA for the K-Force WE group.

We also noted that the disc brake levers had the shifter rocker switch both further from the tip of the lever blade, and seemingly closer to the body. The switch itself was the same size, shape and configuration as on the rim brake bikes, but clearly it was not positioned in exactly the same location. We didn’t get an answer whether this was to accommodate the thicker lever body/hood that were needed to house the hydraulics inside, or whether these were perhaps the compact levers that we had been told about? In any case, the only nit we really have to pick with WE so far is that it is another control layout that our hands need to learn (we’re probably up to maybe 8 distinct road groups now?) Even on these two different lever bodies it felt like the controls were in slightly different places, and we’ll have to spend some time on WE to get used to them.

fsa_k-force-we-disc_semi-wireless-electronic-road-disc-brake-drivetrain-component-group_flat-mount-rear-brake

FSA told us that it wasn’t that difficult for them to develop a hydraulic brake set, as they had already just recently worked on the light K-Force calipers and levers for their mountain bike groups. While these flat mount calipers don’t bear a strong resemblance to those brakes, there were apparently a lot of technologies shares, especially under the hoods.

fsa_k-force-we-disc_semi-wireless-electronic-road-disc-brake-drivetrain-component-group_flat-mount-front-brake fsa_k-force-we-disc_semi-wireless-electronic-road-disc-brake-drivetrain-component-group_brake-caliper-detail

The calipers are a two-piece, two piston design and are flat mount only. The use inline hoses that should work smoothly with most internally routed road and cross frames. The brakes use the same top-loading pad layout out as their mountain brakes. They also share the same two-piece K-Force rotors, with their forged aluminum carrier and riveted-on stainless braking surface.

fsa_k-force-we-disc_semi-wireless-electronic-road-disc-brake-drivetrain-component-group_rear-derailleur fsa_k-force-we-disc_semi-wireless-electronic-road-disc-brake-drivetrain-component-group_cranksetfront-derailleur

The rest of the group remains unchanged from what we’ve already seen. The front derailleur with its system brain remains, as does the internal battery and rear derailleur which are connected serially. The crankset, cassette, and chain will also be shared by both rim and disc brake groupsets.

We’ve since had an FSA representative tell us that consumer availability for this new disc brake group is likely to be the same (or very close to it) as the rim brake groupset. FSA had previously quoted May 2017 for the actual time when regular customer will be able to get their hands on K-Force WE, and that was mostly confirmed when we were told this week that both groups would be ready for sales in the first month of summer 2017.

As we said before, pricing hasn’t been set, and it most likely won’t be officially until the first month or so of next year. FSA is targeting SRAM & Shimano’s top-tier electronic road groupsets, and they expect to be selling at that same price level. Our impression of that statement is that K-Force WE will try to be very close to Dura-Ace Di2 and Red eTap pricing, while offering a small discount in price to try to lure away buyers.

WE-FSA.com

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17 Comments
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Darius M.
Darius M.
8 years ago

Don’t know why, but I just cannot trust wireless technology on my brakes yet

edge
edge
8 years ago
Reply to  Darius M.

The brakes will come w/ cable or hydraulic not wireless.

Ken
Ken
8 years ago

These look worse than 105 hydro shifters. I hope they can slim the body down a bit.

strange
strange
8 years ago

The shape of those shifters is.. lacking.. woof.

Jami
Jami
8 years ago

FSA – “Who cares how it looks?”

Brian
Brian
8 years ago

What do you call a camel without a hump? Humphrey…… get it. Anywany, I’ll wait to handle them before passing judgment on the bump. Ergonomics is tough to get right for everyone.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago

How can they say it’ll be comparable in price to Di2 and eTap? Those two groups have noticeable price differences. I’m not saying one is better than the other but they aren’t really that similar in price. This group is heavier than Dura Ace Di2 so if they want to be competitive, it really should have a price that’s closer to Ultegra Di2 which isn’t gonna happen. Unless its significantly cheaper than eTap, why would you want this since eTap is ACTUALLY wireless and significantly lighter?

smh
smh
8 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

I agree regarding the price. I have a SRAM Red eTap, I like it so much. Nevertheless, if FSA would release this kit on a reasonable price, I bought it for a 2nd bike. A bit ugly, yes, but who cares. 🙂

Ananzo
Ananzo
8 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

I think this wireless setup is pretty smart because it offers the best of both worlds. You get a big battery that you only have to charge once, and you don’t have any of the cables going to the shifters. And I’m saying that as an absolute FSA hater and owner of an eTap group.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago
Reply to  Ananzo

SRAM gives you two batteries that need charged and two that rarely need replaced. This group has two batteries that need charged too. As you know, you get plenty of warning to charge up. This isn’t much of a win. Also, maybe it should be less heavy since it has fewer batteries, no?

Eds: The group has a single internal battery that needs to be charged. It also has one coin cell battery in each shifter, which FSA says both should be replaced once per year.

DJ
DJ
8 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

There two disposable lever batteries and one seatpost rechargeable battery in this group, never heard of a second rechargeable battery.

RobertW
RobertW
8 years ago

It would need to be $800 for a complete group for me to even look at it.

stathos007
8 years ago

Don’t always care about the look, but the functionality too! Might preform better than shimano, sram, or campy.

Mitch
Mitch
8 years ago
Reply to  stathos007

Based on all prior experience with FSA components, that’s extremely unlikely.

Dude
Dude
8 years ago

All the fine lines of a cartoon drawing of a groupset. Come on FSA, please step up the design game! This is a fashion driven industry as much as anything.

Andy
Andy
8 years ago
Reply to  Dude

looks all mismatched and poorly designed. Even a bottom-tier shimano looks more desirable than this.

Antipodean_eleven
8 years ago

Regardless of looks or whatever…

If I am going to ditch perfectly well/quick/reliable mechanical shifting for something with batteries, I’ll wait until the cash is available and do it properly with eTap, esp. now they have disc AND I can replace the SRAM callipers with Hope units that work.

‘Upgrading’ to wired or partially wired, just to loose mechanical cables is not really upgrading, it’s side-grading – you still have bits of wire from one point to the other but now with more complication, cost and weight.

I just don’t get this move. eTap, price regardless, kills all this stuff dead in terms of what one should upgrade to (and doesn’t upgrade, by virtue, mean spending more money than you should??).

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