We've already shown you the new FSA Vision Metron carbon road cockpit, but that was just a taste of what's to come from the component giant for 2014. Also arriving soon are radical four-arm K-Force Light road cranks, several new carbon clinchers, Di2-compatible seatposts, and more.
FSA calls Shimano's bet
FSA's revamped K-Force Light road crankset will switch to a four-arm spider design for 2014 – only it's not the same as Shimano's new Dura-Ace. While Shimano has rearranged the arms to support the chainring under peak loads, FSA claims to have set things up for a more balanced approach to stress distribution.
Add hollow carbon fiber construction, an aluminum BB386 EVO bottom bracket spindle, and a deep-profile outer chainring and the result is supposedly FSA's best road crank to date. The same four-arm BCD will accommodate both standard and compact-sized chainrings, too, and claimed weight is just 548g without a bottom bracket.
The asymmetrical four-bolt doesn't match Shimano's Dura-Ace
Other new crank models include the 690g carbon fiber Team Issue Compact 386 EVO, the 811g solid-forged aluminum Gossamer BBright, and the 821g solid-forged aluminum Gossamer Pro MegaExo.
Highlighting the mountain bike crank collection is the new Gradient MegaEvo, which is designed for more aggressive all-mountain/trail use thanks to its oversized and internally ribbed carbon fiber arm profile and huge 30mm-diameter MegaEvo spindle – the off-road equivalent of BB386 EVO. Available with and without a polycarbonate bashguard, claimed weight on the two-ring crank is as low as 690g.
New carbon clinchers for the road
Last year's K-Force Light and SL-K carbon tubulars will be joined by full carbon clinchers for 2014. FSA offers the K-Force Light in two depths – 38mm and 55mm – although they're both quite narrow, measuring 21mm across at the widest point and just 14.7mm between the tire bead hooks.
Mated to FSA's own preload-adjustable PRA cartridge bearing hubs (with hybrid ceramic bearings), claimed weight on the shallower set is just 1,400g while the deeper option adds another 160g. Updated freehub bodies will be compatible with 11-speed Shimano groups, too.
New for 2014
The SL-K version is essentially identical to the 55mm-deep K-Force Light, except with standard steel cartridge bearings filling the hub shells instead of hybrid ceramic ones. Claimed weight is identical at 1,560g per set.
New stems, brakes, and seatposts
Several stems have been revamped as well, with the popular SL-K getting perhaps the most comprehensive overhaul. The forged and CNC-machined aluminum extension is bigger and taller than before – which bodes well for stiffness – and is more aggressively hogged out to reduce mass. Claimed weight has dropped from last year's 165g down to 141g (100mm).
The carbon-wrapped Team Issue/UD stem gets a revised shape and slimmed-down four-bolt faceplate, too, while the brand-new Gossamer Pro stem looks to get the same shape but without the wrap. Claimed weight for the Team Issue/UD is 150g while the Gossamer Pro is a hair lighter at 145g.
SL-K and Energy dual-pivot road brake calipers are all-new for 2014, with more heavily triangulated inner arms to boost power and improve lever feel plus revamped geometry to better accommodate wide-profile rims. Claimed weight for the SL-K pair is 314g and the Energy will be only slightly heavier at 323g.
The K-Force dual-pivot road brakeset gets a graphic update for 2014
Finally, FSA has added new optional aluminum plugs for its K-Force carbon seatposts to fit Shimano's new internal Di2 battery, and two different ultralight carbon fiber headset spacer designs.
For more information on FSA products see www.fullspeedahead.com.