FSA K-Force New Ergo handlebar

K-Force is the name FSA give to their top-level race components and our 44cm (measured centre to centre) New Ergo model weighed in at 204g. That puts it firmly in the Very Light category. You can get bars a little lighter – but only by a few grams. It’s also available in 40 and 42cm widths, oversized (31.8mm) clamp diameter only.

I got on really well with the not-too-radical New Ergo shape. The tops are level and the curve of the drop straightens a touch just below where the levers clamp. It’s not completely flat there but it’s less curved, so you get a comfy, non-cramped hand position. Then you get a generous amount of rearward extension so you don’t necessarily have to reach miles forward every time you want to get down there.

The drop is 150mm so you can get a low, tucked position – a Compact version is available with just a 125mm drop if you prefer – and the reach (the distance from the clamping area to the furthest extension forward) is 80mm. There’s a 2° outward bend too so you get a bit of extra leverage when you’re chucking the bike around from the drops.

The bar is a continuous carbon/Kevlar construction with what FSA call a ‘double-width single cable groove’. It’s not actually a groove, it’s just a flattened face at the front of the tops, but it does mean you don't feel your cables as much as you do with a purely round profile once you have your bar tape fitted.

The clamping areas for the levers and stem are reinforced and they’re textured to add extra grip. Nothing has moved since we fitted the bars, so no complaints on that front.

As I said, I found the bar shape comfortable with several different hand positions, and there’s enough downward flex on the drops to dampen out road vibration and stop unexpected potholes jarring right through your body. Testing has involved loads of big rides on these on some dreadful roads and they’ve felt great throughout.

There’s occasionally a bit of flex when you haul on the drops too. Not a crazy amount, although if you want complete rigidity in your bars, you might want to steer (ahem!) clear. There are plenty of stiffer aluminium offerings out there, but then you have a weight penalty. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

To me, though, these are a good compromise between stiffness, weight and comfort. And as for the price, they’re not cheap but this is about the going rate for a set of high-quality carbon bars.

Verdict

Excellent shape; not the most rigid bars ever, but a good compromise between stiffness, weight and comfort