Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

FSA SL-K Compact Carbon Handlebar

8
£209.95

VERDICT:

8
10
Excellent bend shape and vibration damping carbon construction makes for a very comfortable bar
Weight: 
232g
Contact: 
www.windwave.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

The SL-K handlebar is the cheapest carbon bar offered by FSA - cheaper still if you find it discounted. In terms of shape, the SL-Ks are only available in a 'compact' bend which features short reach and a shallow drop. This style of bar is becoming increasingly popular as it suits a wide range of hand sizes and encourages more time spent in the drops.

The SL-Ks are constructed from uni-directional carbon fibre moulded as a monocoque. A wide, circular central section enables accessories such as computers and clip-on aero bars to be mounted easily. Beyond this central section, the tops flatten out slightly to increase the contact area which should in theory improve comfort. Clamping areas for the stem and shifters are reinforced and textured with a sand paper-like finish so that less torque is required to secure them.

On the road, FSA's compact bend is terrific with loads of potential for different hand positions. The bars seem to have been designed so that it's really easy to achieve a level transition between the bars and the hoods.

The short reach and shallow drop mean that all the hand positions are very close together easing bar setup. The handlebars can be positioned lower for a more aggressive position on the hoods, whilst the shallow 125mm drop means that the drops aren't out of reach.

The drops themselves are slightly angled inwards, 4 degrees from dead straight to be precise, with results in a more natural wrist angle. This slight angle makes the bars feel a tad narrower in the drops than their stated width, but I liked this aspect as it made you feel more aerodynamic. Sprinting from the drops feels natural and there was plenty of clearance between the wrists and the tops.

One can often question the 'need' for carbon bars, especially when most pros can be found on more basic, and much cheaper, aluminium numbers. The answer to that lies not in improved stiffness or light weight (though at the extreme ends of the spectrum, carbon bars well and truly trump their metallic cousins) but in improved comfort. This is where the average Joe can really sense a substantial difference.

The SL-Ks score well here, dampening out high frequency road buzz in much the same way that a good carbon frame would. Riding along broken road, the bike is noticeably quieter overall, and your wrists will be thanking you at the end of a long ride.

Coupled with the great shape, the SL-Ks were a godsend for my wrists on longer road rides where holding the same position for hours on end often lead to soreness. Since using these bars, I've not had any trouble at all.

Despite being FSA's cheapest carbon bars, the SL-Ks still come in north of the two hundred pound mark putting them outside what many people would spend on a set of bars (although you can currently find them online for considerably less than their full retail price). If you've got the cash, then these are a great option, but for those on a budget, FSA's cheaper aluminium bars also featuring the compact shape would be good options. For while the carbon undoubtedly has an effect on vibration damping, it's the shape of the bars that really has the biggest effect on comfort.

Verdict

The SL-Ks combination of excellent bend shape and vibration damping carbon construction makes for a very comfortable bar that leaves your wrists pain-free after long hours on the road.

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: FSA SL-K Compact Carbon Handlebar

Size tested: 44cm

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

As FSA's cheapest carbon bars, the SL-Ks will appeal to those looking to make the step up to carbon. The compact shape and vibration damping make it a good choice for riders who prioritise comfort

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

DESCRIPTION & MATERIALS

* Continuous UD carbon/Kevlar Monocoque construction

* Reinforced and textured clamping areas

* 120mm wide center round section makes it easy to mount

accessories

SIZES

* Ø31.8mm x W380, 400, 420, 440mm(c-c)

* 125mm drop, 80mm reach

* 4° outward bend

FINISH

* UD Carbon finish

* Color graphics options - Red (Std), White

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

The finish is glossy and the bars don't have any visible imperfections.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

High frequency road buzz is damped very effectively making for a smooth ride. The compact bend shape is very popular and for good reason too - it just plain works

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

No issues so far but I haven't crashed them. Typically, carbon bars will need to be replaced after a serious crash, but they shouldn't suffer from fatigue like Aluminium bars

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Not the lightest by any means, but they're in the ballpark for carbon bars at this price point

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

Excellent - the real selling point of these bars in my opinion

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

There are certainly cheaper carbon bars out there, but perhaps not many that feature the same shape and damping properties

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? I'd probably go for Aluminium bars of the same shape

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 20  Height: 190cm  Weight: 70kg

I usually ride: Giant TCR Advanced 2  My best bike is: Canyon Ultimate CF7

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, sportives, mtb,

 

For 5 years, racing was my life and I went all the way from a newbie bonking after 40 miles, to a full-timer plying my trade on the Belgian kermesse scene. Unfortunately, the pro dream wasn't meant to be and these days, you're more likely to find me bimbling about country lanes and sleeping in a bush on the side of the road.

Add new comment

2 comments

Avatar
T44ISKN | 11 years ago
0 likes

I switched from FSA Omega bars (same shape) for this very reason. Now riding Soma Hwy Ones which have the same shape drops, but squarer tops. And they don't flare out like the FSA bars, so they still measure 44 at the hoods. And they're available in 26.0 and 31.8. And in polished silver or black. Get the impression that I like them?!

Avatar
joemmo | 11 years ago
0 likes

For the cheapskate, the Vero has the same shape in aluminium for about £25. Good point about the flared drops, the bar is about 2cm wider at the end than the point where you would mount the hoods so choose accordingly. One other thing about the shape, the bend from the flats to the top of the drops has quite a large radius which is good for cabling but means that you don't get as much straight bar to grip.

Latest Comments