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FSA To Launch Hydraulic Disc Brakes at Eurobike

Written by Zach Overholt
21 Comments
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FSA Hydraulic Brake K Force

After surprising the bicycle world with the announcement of their forthcoming hydraulic disc brakes at Sea Otter, FSA is set to officially launch their new stoppers soon at Eurobike. The brakes will be initially offered in the super light XC K-Force and Trail oriented Afterburner models. Both brakes feature tool free stroke and reach adjustability with a flip flop lever with an integrated asymmetrical reservoir to keep them compact and easy to service.

An interesting feature is the mention of front and rear specific hoses that is supposed to result in a more balanced brake feel – something we’ll be sure to get more info on during the launch. Built with magnesium castings, carbon composite levers, and ti hardware on the K – Force, individual wheel weights should be around 300g, with pricing set at $369 for K-Force and $289 for Afterburner. Availability is set for early 2014.
Zach Overholt
5,730 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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21 Comments
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BT
BT
11 years ago

Full Speed Ahead doesn’t seem like a great name for company making brakes.

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Murphy
Murphy
11 years ago

Eh, the point of good brakes isn’t to go slow, it’s to go fast

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FSA USA
FSA USA
11 years ago

BT – Hey that is pretty funny. We were joking internally as well.

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Wojtek G
Wojtek G
11 years ago

Afterburner is not a perfect name for a brake either. But hey, let’s just wait and see how they work.

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Mr. P
Mr. P
11 years ago

@Wojtek G; good point. 🙂

In keeping with the jet theme; how about “Thrust Reverser” 😉

P

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FSA USA
FSA USA
11 years ago

Ok Thrust Reverser is pretty good… Mr. P should be in marketing w/ that one.

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Mindless
Mindless
11 years ago

DOT or Mineral oil?

Any aftermarket brake pad support, Swisstop in particular?

Any heat management technologies?

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Zach Overholt
Author
Zach Overholt
11 years ago
Reply to  Mindless

@Mindless, if they stick to what was told to us at Sea Otter (link at top) then they will be mineral oil. As for the other questions we’ll have to wait until Eurobike.

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greg
greg
11 years ago

with the jet theme, it could be called Tailhook.
magnesium for the caliper too, or just the master cylinder? what has been done about magnesium’s aversion to heat?

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FSA USA
FSA USA
11 years ago

All, by instructions from the head engineer and marketing pit boss… we can only give over-view and not specifics since we have not officially introduced at Eurobike and Interbike. All questions will be answered at Eurobike per Zach’s comment… best secrets are the ones kept.

However, Zach is correct on synthetic mineral oil (FSA formula for our o-rings only).

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andy
andy
11 years ago

can’t wait, really i can’t wait. can i still get those 4 bolt 94mm bcd chain rings?

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Jan
Jan
11 years ago

I would say “Hope” is a pretty strange name for something that prevents you from killing yourself.

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FSA USA
FSA USA
11 years ago

andy – sure how many do you need… sell them to you for cheap. K-Force 9s: 94x29t, 94x42t, 94x44t.

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Andy
Andy
11 years ago

FSA USA-“inexpensive” (cheap) I’d bet.
Here’s to hoping history doesn’t always repeat itself( i.e. my previous remarks..aluminum crown races, ceramic bearing headsets, 4×94 bcd cranks).
Keep pad/rotor clearances reasonable, heat dissipation in check, and harmonic vibration to a minimum and you may have something there…like your compression plugs. Seriously I do buy & use them and they are great.

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efukt
efukt
11 years ago

When I hear about magnesium brakes. All I can think about is avid XX 2010/2011 magnesium brakes that I had to warranty 3 times. What a nightmare.

I am pretty sure you guys over at FSA did a better job than Avid.

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FSA USA
FSA USA
11 years ago

efukt – over three years in development they have been tested many times.

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Myke
Myke
11 years ago

After my FSA crankset randomly decided to remove itself while moving. And poor customer service. I decided their parts are poorly designed, unsupported trash. I would have any FSA parts on my bike if you paid me!

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FSA USA
FSA USA
11 years ago

Myke – Hey sorry you had such a bad experience. At the events we attend, we have many more who are pleased and love FSA parts. We also hear about our competitors and how bad they can be whether parts or service so it depends on the experience. Again we hear even more about our competitors on how good they are just like FSA. Sorry again for the past, but our products are not stagnant and improving all the time. Maybe someday you will try us again… either way, keep on riding not matter what you on.

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Morgan
Morgan
11 years ago

I’ve never had any issues with FSA cranks. I would say that Myke’s experience of a crank falling off is user error. The bike is only as good as th mechanic that puts it together. You can most definietly feel when a crank is loose and stop before it even come close to coming off. FYI, to keep you bolts from backing out, just use a small drop of loctite and tighten to the correct torque spec.

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jarod
jarod
11 years ago

I have worked in shops for 10 years and I cringe everytime I have to call FSA for a warranty. Its like its always YOUR fault you have to call them. Absolutely Hate it. With that being said, I do like the OS99 stem for the price to weight ratio. I am not looking forward to these brakes because now its going to be my fault when I have to call and warranty the damned things.

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Andrew
Andrew
11 years ago

Was just riding along and the wheels fell off my car too. Must have been that it was a POS Dodge, not a Ford… nothing to do with not torquing the wheel nuts. We’ve all had bad experiences with either terrible workmanship (by either ourselves or a store with a new mechanic) be smart enough to not spout your mouth off, and keep it positive. Hoping these new brakes will give an option to Shimano’s dominance.

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