K-Force Light Compact crankset is the 3rd generation of
carbon cranks. K-Force Light Arms are molded using a
removable bladder process, which allows maximum
compaction of the carbon material, and lowest possible
void areas.
This means high strength, minimum material, and best
overall performance.
The K-Force Light crankset uses a completely hollow arm
design, with an internal I-beam that for high torsional
rigidity and lateral strength with reduced weight. FSA’s
hollow carbon arm design is unique in the market, and is
patented.
FSA’s K-Force Light is a truly monocoque design. The
minimal aluminum components (Spindle spline and pedal
insert) are laid directly into the carbon material, as an
integrated component (as opposed to bonding) for the
highest strength and minimum weight.
Submitted by
D13
a Cross Country Rider
from Palmdale, CA USA Date Reviewed: September 15, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Bear Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$370.00
Purchased At:
Newbury Bike Shop
Strengths:
Light, look great, feel Great
Weaknesses:
Carbon can chip very easily on the bottom of the crank arms! I've had these for less than three months and they may not last me as long as I would have hoped for. Very expensive to potentially replace them.
Similar Products Used:
Truvativ Firex
Bike Setup:
Marin Riftzone
Bottom Line:
I paid a lot of money for these cranks but now i'm wondering if carbon fiber is worth the price. I could have hit the same stuff with XTR and would have looked at dents and scratches. Now i'm looking at a big chip and broken chips on my left crank arm. Really sucks!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
molastotown
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins,CO Date Reviewed: March 21, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light crank arms can take a serious beating
Weaknesses:
Ceramic BB is crap. Massive amounts of play after 6 months of riding. The wave washer cracked and probably caused a good part of the damage to the BB. Don't install the cap for the self extracting bolt it will fall off, just keep it in your toolbox for when you need it.
Bottom Line:
This was a warranty crank for a Team Issue Carbon crank that had the pedal inserts fail. The BB is a very expensive weak link to this otherwise well built crank. No other BB's that I am aware of will work with this crank so until they improve the BB I would absolutely avoid this crank.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
shook
a Weekend Warrior
from Groningen, Netherlands Date Reviewed: March 8, 2009
Favorite Trail:
several
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Beautifull & stiff. The carbon is vulrenable, but does the trick. Shifting without any problems.
Weaknesses:
No MegaExo self-extracting cap pin tool!!!! and they are way expensive.
Similar Products Used:
Firex, Noir, Shimano XT & XTR, several others
Bike Setup:
Spark 30, Fox F32 120mm, XC Ones, Ritchey WCS components & the K-force Light ofcourse
Bottom Line:
They are beautifull cranks. Very stiff. A bit fragile, but the scuffing is not really noticable, nothing to be worried about. BUT, the selfextracting crankbolt needs a special tool, which you don't get! You'll be able to install the cranks, but won't get the bolt, as secure as you want to. The tool will set you back at least 20~30 bucks. For such an expensive product, I hate these surprises.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Goliath_2
a Racer
from Washington state Date Reviewed: November 16, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Extremely light, stiff, great shifting, SUPER smooth bearings...and they look Spectacular!
Weaknesses:
High Price (?) Also, bearings require more frequent maintenance.
Beautiful cranks. They're extremely light and surprisingly stiff. Haven't had any issues and the BB is running very smooth. Apparently the ceramic bearings require more maintenance (regular cleaning, greasing) but that isn't a big deal for me as I'm typically pretty on top of that sorta stuff anyway. Somewhat pricey but they're a flagship, elite level, cross country racing crank from a company with a reputation for making great stuff.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pedalitup
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon Date Reviewed: September 14, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
from a fellow cyclis
Strengths:
This review is for the 44/29 version.
Its beautiful, 740gms with BB-9000 (steel) bottom bracket.
It's super stiff under pressure. The shifting is absolutely flawless compared to previous attempts at 44/29 setups I have tested. The chainline is wider than stated which eliminates the possibility of the chain rubbing the big ring when using the smaller outer cogs with the 29t inner ring. After actually riding it, I must admit this is brilliant. Get an 11-34 cassette and the ramps on a shimano front derailleur seem to match perfectly so theres no rub there either. If you're not strong enough to climb what you need to with a 29/34 gear you probably need to stick to the 3 ring version.
Weaknesses:
The online pdf instructions differ from the parts I got with the crank. The Q factor is designed for a 73mm BB shell so the pedal stance feels really wide. The inside of the crank arms are 12mm from my chainstays! My XT front derailleur is very close to the outer limit of its available range compared to every crank and BB I've tried on this frame. The chainline is designed for really strong "elite level" racers as stated in the catalog. Not really a weakness, but worth a mention here.
Similar Products Used:
Coda 2x9, XT both types, Race face.
Bike Setup:
Voodoo hardtail with '08 Sid and custom wheels.
Bottom Line:
I just hammered this work of art for the first time and did a personal best of 2:55 on my 40 mile loop. 13 minutes off my previous best time. I've ridden this loop dozens of times and changed nothing else on the bike but this crank and the cassette to 11-34. What more do I need to say ?
Ive never purchased an FSA product I didn't like.
I wish they would come up with a completely dialed XC racing driveline and shifters like SRAM did with the red road group. I give it 5 flamers having only paid $250 for it. I give it 4 overall only because of the long spindle.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chcmuzza
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch, New Zealand Date Reviewed: June 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Port Hills
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light, strong cranks, which have taken a hammering without breaking.
Weaknesses:
The bottom bracket. The ceramic bearings have less than 1200 miles on them and the non-drive side has seized. They have been wet occasionally however there are no instructions on FSA's website on repacking the bearings so it is not obvious what level of maintenance is required. Given FSA suggest longer life with ceramic one could assume less maintenance than steel.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bottom Line:
The cranks themselves, great. Given you can't buy the cranks without the ceramic bearings (which was the reason I purchased this crankset in the first place) then potentially a waste of money. Will replace the BB with the steel version at 1/3 the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jesse
a Weekend Warrior
from Drexel Hill, PA USA Date Reviewed: July 5, 2007
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Biketopia
Strengths:
This is FSA's newest MTB and road carbon fiber crankset and it blows every other carbon unit on the market away!! I have a genuine Race Face Next LP on another bike and the K-Force Light is actually stiffer and lighter than my Race Face!!!! The included ceramic bottom bracket is VERY easy to service and requires much less maintenance than regular BB's.
Weaknesses:
NONE!!!!
Similar Products Used:
Race Face Next LP, XTR 952
Bike Setup:
new leftover '05 Jamis Dakar Sport 15" frame, '07 FSA flat carbon bar, XTR 953 FR. & RR. derailleurs, XTR 953 cassette, '07 CN-7701 Dura-Ace XTR chain, XTR ST-M952 combo brake levers/shifters, ST-Lites bar ends, Yeti bar grips, Thomson Elite stem & seatpost, Rolf Dolomite DISC wheels, Avid BB7 disc brakes, Trek 9i wired computer, '07 Fox Float RPL rear air suspension, '07 FSA K-Force Light carbon crank w/ceramic BB, Chris King headset.
Bottom Line:
BUY THIS!!!!! You will not regret it!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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