Full Speed Ahead (FSA) came onto the scene in the 1990s, and took the road racing world by storm by introducing the first compact-gearing (50/34 chainrings) cranksets, made from carbon fiber. A number of pro riders and teams adopted their use, with their light weight and svelte looks quickly becoming a peloton favorite.
Fast forward twenty years, and FSA has now introduced a full road group, the K Force WE, complete with wireless electronic shifting, adjustable throw brake/shift levers that come in different lengths to fit your hands, and long battery life to ensure that your shift system lasts as long as your legs do.
FSA has also grown its component offerings to include a full range of components for MTB, e-bike and commuter bike uses. Derrick Henry, Director of OEM Sales for FSA USA, said that the company works with a lot of U.S.-based custom builders by supplying their components that serve a growing number of specialty applications.
Henry said that FSA’s line up for mountain bikes is expanding, in terms of the numbers of components in the marketplace, and definitely not in the weights of the components. To this end, he cited their new carbon Gradient handlebars, available in 800mm width and either 25 or 40mm rise.
Another component for mountain bike use that offers the ideal combination of functionality, lightweight and good looks is the Flowtron dropper seatpost, available in 421 or 446mm lengths, 30.9 or 31.6 diameters, and with 125 or 150mm of travel.
Not shirking the road side of things, Henry also cited the new K-Wing AGX carbon handlebar, with internal cable routing and a flared drop for the growing subspecialty of gravel riding and racing.
It was the booming gravel road and adventure touring scenes which inspired FSA to revisit the design of their cranksets that helped build their reputation. FSA’s new “super-compact” cranksets offer chainring ratios of 48/32 or 46/30 for the super steep climbs and occasional single-track sojourns that characterize these cycling specialties.
From road to mountain bike to commuter use and everywhere in-between, FSA provides lightweight, strong and aesthetically pleasing components that will neither slow you down nor cramp your style.