FSA brought out a lot of updated and new mountain bike products for Sea Otter. The colorful polycarbonate-capped headsets above grab the eye first, but it’s the all-new Orbit Option adjustable angle headset that has the technical features we love to see.
There are also new cranksets, updated (read: wider) handlebars and seatposts for XC, DH and everything in between. There’s also a new direct mount stem to mount those bars to. Jump past the break to see it all with weights and details…
The polycarbonate colored topcaps still have an alloy sleeve to brace against the steerer tube, but are lighter than the all-alloy piece. They will ship for aftermarket soon and are direct replacements for 1-1/8″ Orbit headset top caps.
The Orbit Option is new adjustable angle headset. It uses a gimble bearing seat and headset cups will come with 0.5º, 1.0º and 1.5º angles, and they’ll work with a few different head tube sizes including standard straight 1.5″, Tapered, 50/55 and 1.5 ZeroStack 50/62.
The only limitation is they’ll only work with straight 1-1/8″ steerer tubes. Price will be under $150. Bearing is built directly into the gimble rather than being a separate part, which is how it gets a ground Cane Creek’s Angleset patents.
The 2012 Gravity Light MegaExo Crankset switches from AL6061 to hollow forged AL7050 arms with chromoly pedal threads and gets a slightly new shape. Designed for more aggressive riding; it’s more than double the strength of their previous version. It can be run as a double or triple or with a bash guard.
Nothing in my notes about the Afterburner cranksets being different, just thought you’d like to see the weight (note this is without the other crankarm). Will update if there’s anything changed.
For 2012, most of FSA’s handlebars are updated with new graphics and wider widths. K-Force handlebars get wider, the
SL-K flat bar stretches to 670 mm with a 9 degree rise and 4 degree upsweep (up from 620). Riser bar is unchanged at 630 and 685. Afterburner line gets new graphics across the components, stems get new 60 and 70 lengths. Handlebars grow to 620 and 670 widths for flat bars, riser bars stay at 630 and 680. Gravity Light CSI wide bar has a UD carbon finish and AL6066 doubly butted base, width is 740mm.
The 2012 seatposts have new Flat Top clamp assembly that’s stronger than old version.
Direct mount stem is redesigned to have effectively a zero degree rise. 45mm length.
