FSA’s mountain bike wheels now have categories – AGX for Adventure, Gravel and Cyclocross; and WideR for mountain bikes of all types. The AGX line will measure 22mm internally and have a traditional bead hook design, essentially taking their old mountain bike wheels and rebranding them for gravel.
The WideR rims are come in at 25mm to 29mm wide, using an asymmetric rim design, offset 4-5mm from center. Among the collection, there’s plenty of carbon rim options for everything from XC to gravity.
Carbon models measure are 25mm internal and use a hookless bead design. The Gradient ($1,199) also gets a new carbon option, measuring 29mm inside. All are built with straight pull spokes and FSA’s own hubs, which they manufacture and assemble in their own facilities.
Basic specs shown in the images above. Between the SL-K ($1,199) and K-Force ($1,299), they’re very similar, but the K-Force upgrades to ceramic bearings. Rim weights (+/- a few grams) are claimed at:
- WideR 25mm 27.5 – 408g
- WideR 25mm 29er – 423g
- WideR 29mm 27.5 – 455g
- WideR 29mm 29er – 495g
They’ll use their existing PRA Hubs, which have a Preload Reduction Assembly design to keep preload as light as possible. This keeps them tight yet free of play, and maximizes bearing life by minimizing side loads and pressure that could cause drag. They have a six-pawl engagement system, alternating three on, three off, for an effective 6º engagement angle. The ratchet and pawls are 50% wider than their road hubs, measuring 12mm wide, to better handle the torque load typically experienced on a mountain bike. They’ll be compatible with all axle standards, with a conversion kit for RS-1 and Torque Caps.
In other news, all FSA road bike wheels are now disc brake compatible, and even their Metron 3S tri-spoke wheel will become disc brake ready by 2019. All of them are also tubeless ready now, alloy and carbon.
Their K-Force Light carbon crankset has been beefed up to handle any type of riding, from XC to enduro racing. It uses their modular system to work with direct mount single chainrings, or a spider for doubles.
Claimed weight is just 500g with chainring, and it should be available by early summer.
