With multiple hand positions on the top of the bars that all take the load from your hands and distribute it more evenly, I was able to alternate positions over the longer mileage climbs and prevent any numbness or pain. The flat sections on the top of the bars make the K-Wings the most comfortable climbing bars I have ever ridden. Where the K-Wing’s from FSA really shinned was on long, steep climbs. While under harder loads in flat sprints, the K-Wing’s were adequately stiff but with the thinner walled carbon there was some flex in comparison with aluminum or thinker walled carbon. I also found the design these bars to be a lot more ergonomic when braking in the drops on long downhill runs with the positioning of the levers and the ideal hand position leading to less fatigue as the miles added on. When compared to more traditional styled bends, the extra room provided more sprinting room without feeling like I was going to slam into the bike while maneuvering the frame. The flare to the FSA K-Wing compacts is not too extreme, but it does allow for extra room for your forearms while riding in the drops. Riders that are used to traditional drops will have to get used to the more ergonomic design, but I found that the adjustment period is pretty short. The FSA K-Wing’s use FSA’s compact geometry which gives the rider a flatter top section on the bars (even with the hoods) and a flare to the drops to allow for a shorter reach to the brake levers and increased room for your forearms while riding in the drops for sprints and low profile riding. On The Road: FSA K-Wing Compact Carbon Handlebars While this did not effect riding at all (there was plenty around the palm area), some riders do prefer to run the length of the bars, so plan accordingly during install.Īlso, due to the internal routing design of the K-Wing’s, you might have to re-cable your brake lines as the ferrells from the housing would not fit through the internal routing channels. As you can see by the pictures, our Eleganza bar tape didn’t make it all the way across the flats of the bars. However, due to the slight rise and larger flatter sections on the handlebars, you might have to drop one more spacer on the steerer tube and make sure to wrap your bar tape with a little bit less overlap. Installation of the K-Wing compact carbons goes just about like any other drop bar you will install on your road bike. Finish: 3K carbon weave w/Color graphics (also available in a white version).Reinforced and textured lever and stem clamping areas.Aero-Ergo flat-top riser central section follows the natural arc of the arms.Continuous carbon/kevlar composite construction.Overall: FSA K-Wing Compact Drop Handlebarsĭescription and Materials from :.On The Road: FSA K-Wing Compact Carbon Handlebars.None of this is a problem with CF bars but then you take on other issues. Everyone's mileage will vary but I plan on changing bars every 5-6 years. How prudent and how often to change bars will vary with size, strength, riding style and how much and how corrosive the sweat is. A mutual friend told Hans that his bars snapped while riding-he's a believer now. When Hans tells people about changing Al bars they don't believe him. I'm guessing 5-6 years would be appropriate. Hans thought I went far too long for a change. I just replaced a set after 10 years that looked great. An extreme example is bending the Al beer can back and forth until it breaks. But the main reason is that modern bars are much thinner than the bars "back in the day" and the bars get fatigued with time-riding rough roads, climbing out of the saddle, sprinting. He strongly urges riders to replace Al bars over time. A friend of mine Hans Schneider makes custom steel frame bikes, and does high end CF repair.
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