FSA K-Force XC Riser Carbon Handlebar: Continuous carbon/Kevlar 3K weave construction. Reinforced stem clamp and brake lever zones. Updated red and white K-Force graphics.
Submitted by
Varaxis
a Weekend Warrior
from Newburgh, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2010
Strengths: Light weight, stiff, carbon properties
Weaknesses: Not cut perfectly symmetrical and decals not accurate enough to use for setting up cockpit, the right side seemed to be slightly larger diameter than the left.
Bottom Line:
I bought this to replace a super narrow 560mm Ritchey Pro Flat Bar with 5d sweep. This "2010" version has 660mm of width, 18mm rise, and 9x4 [back/up]sweep, weighs 176g, and has the thin white and red strips running horizontally across the front of the bar.
It's very common to find these on eBay with low bids from sellers located in China/Taiwan. I may have got a "factory second" with the issues I had with mine: measured across, lined up perfectly center, the right side is cut 1cm longer than the left, I had to work extra hard to get my right grip on the bar, and I had to resort to measuring from my grip end to set up my levers/shifters since the stripes weren't symmetrical either.
I got everything super snug on the bar by hand, then used a torque wrench to really tighten things up and it withstood up to 5nm (50 in pounds or so). I haven't crashed it yet, but it's holding solid down the descents. I'm less afraid of upgrading to carbon (due to stories about breaks) after this experience with it.
Similar Products Used: Sunline V-One OS, Bonty Crow Bar, Ritchey Pro
Bike Setup: 29er Ti Hardtail, 100mm fork, 90mm Sunline XC-One Stem, Elixir CR levers, XO shifters, Ergon GX-1 grips
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Submitted by
Dpbdf541
a Weekend Warrior
from Alpharetta, GA
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2009
Strengths: Very strong and very light
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
I took my bike off of a 10 foot drop off and landed only on my front tire... That means that all my weight came down on the handlebars and they are still like the day I got them! They are very strong and they soak up so many vibrations... I've used them in very rocky sections and ended up without a crack! For a cross country handlebar, they work really well for an all-mountain set-up
Similar Products Used: Specialized Enduro mid riser
Bike Setup: Specialized Enduro Expert Stock with Sram X0 red triggers, red Chris King Headset, FSA carbon seatpost and handlebars, Lizard Skin Peaty grips, Crank Bro Mallet II, and woodman deathgrip TI seatpost clamp
Bike Setup: 2010 Stumpjumper Comp 29er, FSA Bar, FSA OS-150 Stem. All else stock.
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Submitted by
Dugg-E
a Cross Country Rider
from West Boylston, MA
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2009
Strengths: Looks, weight, vibration damping...did I say looks?
Weaknesses: No torque specs provided
Bottom Line:
Review for 2009 K-Force Riser:
These bars just have that right feel to them when mounted. The sweep is perfect for me and my riding style, which I believe to be aggressive XC with no huge drops (less than 3 feet to flat). They look spectacular, even more so in the sun. The graphics are not subtle...it's quite obvious FSA were going all out on the bling factor. Fine by me if they work, and they do...quite well.
Vibration damping is where I noticed the biggest improvement over aluminum. I also notice less flex zero creaking!
Durability so far is as expected after a couple of months...they are still in one piece and have no serious scratches. The clearcoat seems nice and thick and a Thomson stem grabs the grippy area quite well. Just wish they'd have clued me in to the recommended torque setting, but w/e.
Submitted by
Bmann_mtb
a Cross Country Rider
from MD
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2009
Strengths: It is a awesome looking bar on my rig.!
Weaknesses: Nothing yet
Bottom Line:
I have the 09 versions of this and the red and white sure look awesome on my trek. The weight reduction is great over the stock Bontrager stock bar. I combined a set of ESI chunky grips and this is a great weight savings and the look is great.
Submitted by
Gamite
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2009
Strengths: Stiff, Light
Weaknesses: Perhaps not as light as other bars out there
Bottom Line:
I purchased this bar based on the reviews here, and what everyone says is true, this bar is ridiculously stiff. I really pull on these bars hard when going uphill, and I don't notice any flex at all.
Bike Setup: 09 Stumpjumper, thompson post, king hubs, olympic wheels.
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Submitted by
winsail
a Weekend Warrior
from Soquel
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2009
Strengths: This is a great lightweight set of bars that was a great improvement to my wifes bike. She loved the vibration dampening of the carbon and the rise of the bars was perfect. She says best single improvement to her bike.
Weaknesses: None so far, FSA graphics billboard style if you like that.
Similar Products Used: Salsa Pro Moto Carbon, Race Face, Bontrager
Bike Setup: 2008 Giant Trance 2, Stock with upgrades: Manitou Minute 2 fork, Race Face Deus Crank, WTB Deva Saddle, Avid BB7 brakes, Avid Speed Dial Levers
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Submitted by
DRAGIN
a Weekend Warrior
from Newington, CT
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2009
Strengths: Man I can't say enough about these bars. I combined the 09 xc riser bars with an FSA OS150 stem for a killer weight reduction. They're firm and secure when riding. Soak up vibration. Definately 5 flamin chili's for this one. Just buy em!
Favorite Trail: heny coe state park, morgran hill, ca
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At: bikesomewhere.com
Similar Products Used: none
Bike Setup: 2009 trek 8000
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Submitted by
NateC
a Weekend Warrior
from Kittanning,PA,USA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2008
Strengths: Everything, light, strong, doesnt scratch easy, and Ive wiped out a few times with my bike flying down over the hill and everytime handle bars are as good as new
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I bought a fairly descent bike for around $200. Ive been buying one thing at a time to replace my stock parts. By far the FSA KForce Carbon handle bars is one of best deals and part on my bike. My advice if you can get a deal on these handle bars buy, buy, buy, A++++++++
Bike Setup: Mongoose Wing Elite: FSA K-Force Handle Bars, Salsa Skewers, Wtb Speed V seat, Truvativ Steam, Ritchey ZeroStack Headset, WTB Speed disk wheel set with Kenda Nevegal tires, Fox Float Rear Shock, Rock Shox Tora 302 U w/ poplock remote, WTB Grips, HOPE Anodized Bar ends, Crankbrothers Mallet C pedals, Shimano XT Shadow R.Derailure, SRAM 8 sd power glide II caset & chain, Truvativ CrankSet, Red Dice valve covers.
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Submitted by
kjsayers
a Weekend Warrior
from Indianapolis, IN
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2008
Strengths: Light, light, light. Looks very good. Strong. Great vibration dampening. Great feel. Price.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
Excellent bar for XC. For the price, looks, and ability to handle rough conditions I would no doubt recommend this bar to anyone.
Bike Setup: GF Tassajara, Panaracer Rampage front tire, Panaracer Fire XC rear, Front Avid Code 185 brake, rear Juicy 5's, XT rear derailler
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Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from College Park, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2007
Strengths: Weight, stiffness, perfect width (IMO)
Weaknesses: Price?
Bottom Line:
Stiff bars with noticeable damping effects. Lightweight and not too dramatic of a rise, width, or sweep. I prefer the look of unfinished carbon to the flashy, clearcoated outer weave of these bars, but I'll live.
OK, so XC handlebars should in theory only be used for XC riding and that goes for most bike parts, especially carbon ones. This XC bar has been on my All-mountain bike for over 3 years, with never a problem. It's taken some hits but after regular inspections, it's still holding up strong. It's light, strong and fairly stiff and slick looking to boot, so what else can be said. I'd buy one again!
Bike Setup: Giant AC AIR w/Manitou Minute and Swinger, Crossmax Enduros and mix of XT and XTR
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Submitted by
John
from Toronto, ON Canada
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2007
Strengths: Reliable, strong, great graphics
Weaknesses: Pricey but in the end worth it.
Bottom Line:
OK, so XC handlebars should in theory only be used for XC riding and that goes for most bike parts, especially carbon ones. This XC bar has been on my All-mountain bike for over 3 years, with never a problem. It's taken some hits but after regular inspections, it's still holding up strong. It's light, strong and fairly stiff and slick looking to boot, so what else can be said. I'd buy one again!