Wider asymmetric rims, tubeless compatibility, and easier servicing
FSA has completely revamped its range of mountain bike wheels for 2015. Headlining the collection is the new K-Force Light, which uses a 21mm-wide (internal width) tubeless-compatible carbon fiber rim, convertible cartridge bearing hubs, and bladed and butted straight-pull stainless steel spokes. Claimed weight for the 29in version is just 1,464g; retail price is Û1,569
FSA has completely revamped its range of mountain bike wheels for 2015. Headlining the collection is the new K-Force Light, which uses a 21mm-wide (internal width) tubeless-compatible carbon fiber rim, convertible cartridge bearing hubs, and bladed and butted straight-pull stainless steel spokes. Claimed weight for the 29in version is just 1,464g; retail price is Û1,569 - James Huang / Immediate Media
External nipples on FSA's new K-Force Light mountain bike wheels will make for much easier truing when required than ones hidden inside the rim - James Huang / Immediate Media
The 21mm-wide internal profile of FSA's new mountain bike wheels boasts a tubeless-friendly profile - just add tape, valve stems, and sealant - James Huang / Immediate Media
Hubs can be converted between the most common axle standards - James Huang / Immediate Media
If the red and white graphics don't suit you, FSA will also offer the K-Force Light in a more subdued all-black scheme - James Huang / Immediate Media
Asymmetrical rim profiles help maintain better spoke tension balance between both sides - James Huang / Immediate Media
FSA will offer a second-tier carbon model in the SL-K, which will use the same rims and hubs as the K-Force Light but with different spokes. Perhaps even more interesting is the Afterburner model shown here, which features the same design and rim dimensions as the K-Force Light and SL-K but in a much more wallet-friendly aluminum construction. Claimed weight for the 27.5in version is 1,590g and retail price is Û515 - James Huang / Immediate Media
While the decal on FSA's new Afterburner wheelset says the rims are 22mm-wide (internal width), the printed specs in the catalog say 21mm. Either way, it's good to see FSA bumping up rim dimensions slightly from what was once the norm - James Huang / Immediate Media
FSA has always had a healthy collection of mountain bike wheels in its range but the component giant is making a bigger push for 2015 with a completely revamped range that includes wider rims, tubeless compatibility, claimed 100 percent handbuilt construction, and a relatively wide spread of price points.
Headlining the new collection is the K-Force Light MTB, built with 21mm-wide (internal width) tubeless-compatible carbon fiber rims, bladed and butted straight-pull stainless steel spokes and alloy nipples, and six-bolt cartridge bearing hubs that can easily be converted to nearly any common axle standard. FSA will also offer XD driver bodies for use with SRAM 1x11 drivetrains, too.
FSA has completely revamped its range of mountain bike wheels for 2015. headlining the collection is the new k-force light, which uses a 21mm-wide (internal width) tubeless-compatible carbon fiber rim, convertible cartridge bearing hubs, and bladed and butted straight-pull stainless steel spokes. claimed weight for the 29in version is just 1,464g; retail price is û1,569:
FSA's new K-Force Light MTB weigh as little as 1,414g per set thanks in part to carbon fiber rims
What you won't find, however, are any 26in options. Claimed weight for the 29ers is 1,464g while the 27.5in option comes in slightly lighter at 1,414g. Retail price for either is €1,569.
Meanwhile, FSA will use the same rims and hubs on the second-tier SL-K MTB wheels. These will be built with non-bladed (but still butted) straight-pull spokes and brass nipples that push the weight up very slightly to 1,450g and 1,500g for the 27.5in and 29in versions, respectively. Given the modest change, retail price unfortunately doesn't change very much at €1,459.
Asymmetrical rim profiles help maintain better spoke tension balance between both sides:
Common features for all of the new FSA mountain bike wheels are asymmetrical rim profiles for more balanced spoke tensions and external nipples for easier servicing
We're particularly interested in the new Afterburner MTB wheels, however, which feature similar hubs, the same spokes, and the same rim dimensions as the SL-K MTB wheels but with aluminum instead of carbon fiber construction. This bumps up the weights for the 27.5in and 29in versions to a still-competitive 1,590g and 1,660g; there is no 26in option.
While the decal on fsa's new afterburner wheelset says the rims are 22mm-wide (internal width), the printed specs in the catalog say 21mm. either way, it's good to see fsa bumping up rim dimensions slightly from what was once the norm:
We're looking forward to trying out the new FSA Afterburner MTB wheels, which are competitively light and relatively reasonably priced
Best of all, retail price is a much more attainable €515 per pair.
US, UK and AU retailing pricing was not immediately available.
James Huang is BikeRadar's former technical editor. After leaving BikeRadar in 2016, he worked at CyclingTips and Escape Collective. He now runs the Substack cycling publication N-1 Bikes.
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