SRM launch FSA K-Force UCB Powermeter with user changeable battery

SRM have launched a new FSA Powermeter that features for the first time a user changeable battery, using the axle to store two AA batteries. Previous SRM Powermeters had to be sent back to Germany to have a depleted battery changed, so this is a step in the right direction for the company; many other power meter batteries can easily be changed or charged by the user.

The new SRM FSA K-Force Light UCB (User Changeable Battery) chainset stores two AA batteries inside the axle. They’re replaced by removing the non-driveside crank arm. The FSA K-Force Light BB386 EVO with the SRM Powermeter spider weighs a claimed 784g (not including the bottom bracket) with hollow carbon fibre arms and a 30mm aluminium axle.

It’s currently only being offered with a 50/34 (110mm BCD), with a 130mm BCD coming soon which will mean a standard 53/39 option. Crank arm lengths available include 170, 172.5 and 175mm. The cranks will fit most bottom bracket standards, including  BB386, BB30, PF30 and BBRight.

The battery slips neatly inside the axle of this new @SRMtraining FSA Powermeter. #PoshbikesExclusive! pic.twitter.com/e53o7D2Odr

— Poshbikes.com (@PoshbikesDotCom) March 26, 2014

Like all SRM Powermeters, the new FSA K-Force Light UCB is assembled by hand at the company’s facility in Julich, Germany. They’re supplied with a three year warranty. Price is $2845, we’ll confirm the UK price when we get it.

This is a major step forward for SRM, a company which have long been the go-to choice for power meters, and certainly favoured by professional racing cyclists (though some teams are switching to other systems, like Team Sky to Stages at the beginning of the year). In recent years we’ve seen the power meter market explode, with many more options to choose from, and some making them much more affordable, though generally they still command high prices. There’s the Garmin Vector, Stages, Quarq, Brim Brothers, Power2Max to name just a few.

More at www.srm.de