Eurobike: Full Speed Ahead in 2010

Eurobike: Full Speed Ahead in 2010

New 'cross brakes and refinements

James Huang

Published: September 11, 2009 at 11:46 pm

Full Speed Ahead (FSA) add a new set of cyclo-cross brakes to their lineup just in time for the mudslinging to begin (and yes, they're supposedly available in stores right now), in addition to refining their SL-K line of stems and seatposts, plus two-ring mountain cranks.

The new SL-K cantilevers sport a popular wide-profile architecture for extra mud clearance, triangulated aluminium arms and single-bolt pad mounting (albeit with mountain bike-style cartridge holders, not road ones) for easy setup.

Adjustments are plentiful on the new brake, including independent spring tension and a built-in barrel adjuster on one arm to account for pad wear. The separate straddle carrier will allow for more fine-tuning than one-piece straddle assemblies, too. Claimed weight for the SL-K cantilever is a reasonable 180g per wheel.

FSA's SL-K line in general has adopted a more cohesive look for 2010, with all included componentry now boasting a bigger and bolder graphics package.

The fsa sl-k stem will be offered in this trick anodised finish.: - James Huang

Carbon SL-K components all share the same chopped carbon fibre cosmetic layer, and the new SL-K stem will be offered in an optional sleek grey anodised finish we first spotted back at this year's Giro d'Italia.

Two-bolt SL-K seatposts get FSA's 'Minimal Top Clamp' head, which uses two separate upper clamps instead of last year's bigger and heavier single unit. Two-bolt K-Force posts will get the MTC treatment as well.

FSA's new '386' dedicated two-ring mountain bike cranksets feature a new three-bolt 86mm bcd chainring mounting pattern.: - James Huang

Crankset-wise, FSA continue to champion the BB30 system with 13 different models now in the stable. Also coming for the 2010 season are the new 386 two-ring mountain bike cranks with FSA's new three-bolt 86mm BCD chainring standard, to be offered in both BB30 and MegaExo configurations.

FSA has revised its chainring range for smoother shifts - and full compatibility with campagnolo 11-spd cranksets.: - James Huang

Chainrings have been updated as well with new spacings that allow FSA (and other 130mm and 110mm BCD) cranksets to work with Campagnolo's 11-speed drivetrains.

For all of BikeRadar's Eurobike coverage, click here.

You can follow BikeRadar on Twitter at twitter.com/bikeradar.