FSA had a ton of new stuff at Sea Otter, so we’re breaking it up in to a couple posts. The new K-Force Cyclocross Brake, above, uses two separate 50mm carbon fiber sides and can be set up in either a wide or narrow stance. The design (more pics after the break) incorporates a barrel adjuster so you don’t need to run one on the cable hanger, making for a cleaner overall bike appearance.
They also had new Energy ‘cross brakes, and some slick new aero goodies for time trialists and triathletes, all shown and weighed after the jump…
Weight for the set is a respectable 161g/wheel with cable hanger, and they use a spare piece of brake cable to connect them. Top post pic shows them set wide, the two above show them in the narrow position. Some racers run wide in the front for more power and narrow in the rear for more heel clearance.
The Energy cyclocross brakes are an alloy price point item meant as a branded-but-entry-level choice for OEM spec. It’ll come with a fixed length (read: pre-triangulated with that center clamp piece) cable because apparently OEM folks like to spec that to help avoid lawsuits due to poor set up. The brakes will be available aftermarket, too.
These were laying around, presumably the standard steel (left) and titanium (right) return springs for the ‘cross cantilevers. Only a gram difference, but several grams worth of bragging rights.
Along with the new parts, FSA simplified their branding heirarchy to put products into family groups. The Metron/Vision groups are their top end, and will include the forthcoming complete carbon road drivetrain group we showed you at Interbike.
On the TT/Triathlon side, the new Metron TFA aerobar is a wind-tunnel tested one-piece design that incorporates a bull horn handlebar, adjustable aerobars, stem, elbow rests and bladed brake levers.
The stem uses a shim system to angle the bar and stem. FSA says it’s the fastest, lightest and most adjustable aero bar they’ve ever made. The reach of the aerobars are adjustable by loosening the bolts on the red ano’d clamps and sliding them fore or aft.
Shifters are also integrated and use their slick shifting system. Pull the lever to shift one way, and simply depress the front of the unit with your thumb to shift the other way.
Lastly, the new Metron bladed aero brake levers get a return spring to improve action and run the cable internally, letting you feed them directly into the bar ends rather than having them stick out for a few inches before ducking back into the bar.
