|
|
|
|
|
|
#1
01-12-2018, 07:08 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
FSA WE(wireless electric) groupset- Pics and info
Last year at NAHBS FSA asked to have one of our frames for their booth. They used it to showcase their FSA WE- wireless electric groupset. This year, they gave us a kit to put on a frame for our booth. Same frame, just switching the booth.
Last year, we got some backstage info on the kit. I personally, LOVED IT!!! I loved some of the things they designed into it. I loved the shifting. Loved the looks of it too. And it's stupid easy to set up. So since I got the kit in today, I figured I would take a bunch of pictures, post them and answer any questions people have. Make sure to check out the kit in our booth or at the FSA booth. Which, funny enough is caddy-corner to ours! The parts are not new(except the bb and chain), so there are some scratches and dings. But i'm pretty excited to see have fast the install goes and the full set-up goes. Playing with it set-up already VS you doing it is very different and makes a big difference in recommending it. But so far, I really like what I see. Ok, going to add notes to things. I will put weights up tomorrow. Everything is their K-Force highest end parts. So the bar, stem, seatpost, cranks. All those in a K-Force are essentially part of this level of kit. I didn't put up pics of the post, stem and bar cause many of you have seen them or used them. So no need to put them up. Crankset: not sure how many of you use them so i posted it. It's a shred carbon fiber crank. Available in tons of length and ring options. Uses a 30mm alloy spindle. It has a bit of an aero shape to the arms. I don't mind the looks but I wouldn't be surprised if they do a new one. Lighter and more svelte. The rings are highly machined. Ramps and channels everywhere for the chain. This crankset I have is used. FSA said they are sending me another cause they didn't realize all the marks it had on it. It's very well made. No odd fitting or anything. Pretty nice. Just not as sexy as a Campagnolo crankset. Bottom Bracket: Pretty simple. Same as the others offered but you get it stock in ceramic bearings. It's an outboard English threaded with 30mm bearings since the spindle is 30mm. Spins really nicely. Rear Derailleur: It's all composite for the body and the cages. All stainless steel, titanium or alloy hardware. No rusting. The pivot bolt is alloy as to not kill the dropout. I think they did a really nice job on it. No protrusions. Not really bulky. The wire hides well. And it looks pretty waterproofed. And it's pretty lightweight. Front Derailleur: I don't know what the cage is. I'll take a magnet to it tomorrow. But it's quite nice looking. I like the graphic on it. Looks like brushed or bead blasted. The rest of it(the motor body) is all composite. All the hardware is again either stainless steel, titanium or alloy. I think they really hit the mark there. No steel. No rusting. It's built to last. The front derailleur is the brains for everything. So the motor body is bigger, bulkier. But it runs everything. There are buttons and lights on the top the body. It takes about 5 minutes to set it up. So very simple. This kit is used but the pivots are snug and it still looks really good given this is a show/demo kit. Even the inside of the cage looks great. Brake Caliper: I like these. They are similar to EE Brakes looks wise I think. It's really light- highly machined. The pad holders are machined a bunch. Even the alloy pivot nut and alloy spacer between the fork/frame and the brake is really machined out. All the hardware is stainless steel, titanium or alloy. No steel. The main pivot bolt that holds the brake to the fork/frame, it's titanium. AND it flips over! They designed the brakes to work for short or long reach bike designs. I think they really went all out for the brakes. Tried hard to make something for everyone. And they did an excellent job. The black bulge on top is a brake release to open the brakes to get the wheels out. I think it's a pretty clean brake. And they are smooth and strong. Very nice brakes. The graphics are minimal. And actually, easily removed. So these could be all blacked out and stealth. Chain: FSA contracted with a company who makes industrial chains. Things that have serious torque. So it's strong. It's machined well, chamfered well and when on the bikes, very quiet. It shifts great. I'd put it up against anyone else. And it comes with a master link. Hollow pins and machined out inner plates. So it's not horribly heavy. Brake/Shift Lever: These are super nice. The bodies have a great shape. Very comfortable. The hoods, the rubber is soft but not too soft so they should last. A bit grippy. So without gloves in wet weather, I bet they stick well. The body knobs, a nice rounded smooth finish. Comfortable for the palms of your hands. The lever blades, they have a nice smooth finish. Good shape. Two size options for smaller and larger hands. I think that's a huge plus. The electrics, it's run by a CR-2032 battery. Simple to switch out. The hardware is the same as everything else- stainless steel, titanium and alloy. The paddle shifters, they are replaceable. Only takes a couple minutes. They have a nice feel on your fingers. And pretty easy to work. They are very smooth. Very fast. Front and Rear Wheels: I'm lumping these together and I am going to post from the VisionTech website. It'll be easier. ---The Vision Trimax 35 offers a lightweight combination alloy rim. With a cutting 35mm depth, and a bump softening width of 17mm, this wheelset is a true winner. Add in the fully adjustable P.R.A. hub and aero bladed spokes to these hand built wheels and you are in for a smooth ride no matter if you are on the flats or in the hills, or anywhere in between. ---Alloy 35mm deep clincher rim Interspoke milling R06 system Extra light PRA hubs for DP spokes Rims P.E.O. hard coating 6 sealed cartridge bearings (2F + 4R) mounted on 17mm axle diameter Aero bladed spokes Artisanal built, entirely by hand Includes QR and rim tape Front and Rear hubs – black anodized Spokes – black I will say I love the looks of these. The finish is nice. But I wished it had different rim graphics. Like brushed or bead blasted would look sweet on these VS the decals. The decals look like an afterthought. I actually think they are wider than 22mm. I will measure in the morning. And the cassette body being alloy, it needs the steel stiffeners to stop cog tooth bit but it doesn't have them. So big nocks on that part. The QR's are nice looking. Clean. But heavy. They need ti rods. The ones on it are steel. But the wheels are only $730 retail and weight out at 1530 grams. So not super heavy for a 35mm deep alloy wheelset. And the price is good. They should look good on the bikes especially since its a smaller womens frame. Cassette: It's an all steel cassette VS the steel/titanium or steel/alloy of others. They shaved weight by using carbon for the carriers. It's not super heavy. It's definitely heavier to the feel than a SRAM cassette. They did machine a bunch of material away on the steel cogs. I showed that. Almost like channels. And it's where it's not needed so great idea to do. The cassette shifts very cleanly. No noticeable noise or anything. Not sure on price but it should be less than DA and RED cassettes. A little heavier but probably $50 to $100 less. Last edited by sales guy; 01-12-2018 at 10:17 PM. 
|
|
#3
01-12-2018, 07:20 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
|
|
#4
01-12-2018, 07:18 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
nice! just some questions I've had
-how does that rocker switch shifting feel? Does it feel flimsy or is it a nice solid piece? - how do you rate the ergonomics? -how do you rate to Di2? I'm running Di2 and love the Shimano's quick, seamless feel. -It seems it's been a while since the protoypes (I even saw a test ride video on GCN last year) Why is it not for sale to the general public?
|
|
#5
01-12-2018, 07:27 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
-how does that rocker switch shifting feel? Does it feel flimsy or is it a nice solid piece? The rocker switch is very nice. Nice feel. Easy to use. Good feel on the fingers. Also, the switch is available as a small part if something ever happened. And it's like a 5 minute job to switch it. So super fast and can be done at home. - how do you rate the ergonomics? The ergonomics are excellent. Better than everyone else. The shape is slightly smaller than the other electrics out there. Fits my hand well. Also, they are offering a small and large lever size. So more options for small or larger people. The lever blade shape is great. Nice feel. Doesn't feel cheap or flimsy. The Rotor lever blade felt thin. Like flimsy thin. The blade shape itself was thick and bulky. But i think it was to make up for trying to make it light. The FSA lever blade doesn't feel that way. -how do you rate to Di2? I'm running Di2 and love the Shimano's quick, seamless feel. I would put it up there with everyone else. The shifting was super crisp, clean and fast. And you can adjust the speed of it. You can flip it to make it Euro/Moto style. -It seems it's been a while since the protoypes (I even saw a test ride video on GCN last year) Why is it not for sale to the general public? They want to make it perfect. So user friendly that it can't get screwed up. It's supposed to come out this year. I'm looking forward to when it becomes available. I think people will like the offerings it has.
|
|
#6
01-12-2018, 07:32 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
The coloring of the cranks almost makes me think they are made of granite.
|
|
#8
01-13-2018, 06:24 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
For SalesGuy..aren't the ders wired to a power source..then levers wireless?
__________________
Chisholm's Custom Wheels Qui Si Parla Campagnolo
|
|
#9
01-13-2018, 07:13 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
|
|
#10
01-13-2018, 07:29 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
I think the next gig with shimano and electronic is a 'smart' front der ala XTR..with one shifter(rear) and a programed front der w/o a shifter. Wireless? I don;t see it from shimano or Campag. Neither see any advantage except for setup..and I doubt they care much about that. Particularly shimano. If they don't see the 'advantage' they don't do it..carbon cranks, BB30 cranks, a good example. BUT seeing some of the 2018 pro tour bikes with hydro disc setups with internal hydro lines..bet the wrench-force are 'lovin' that... Everything inside.. 
__________________
Chisholm's Custom Wheels Qui Si Parla Campagnolo
|
|
#11
01-13-2018, 08:35 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
I doubt Campagnolo or Shimano will do wireless. Especially if FSA or SRAM have patents on things they need. Shimano and Campy both hate paying for other peoples tech. Shimano more than anyone. I also think they both have so much invested in the wired systems that they won't run that way. They might walk incredibly slowly that way eventually. But after certain patents expire. I think this kit shows real promise and is well done. Especially given the market and challenges. I would even consider it on a new bike for myself. I do dislike the cranks. It's kind of bulbous around the arms. The Gossamer and Omega are cleaner looking except they're alloy. I like the looks of the older FSA cranks especially the 5 bolt ones.
|
|
#12
01-13-2018, 09:41 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
It is not a novel idea so I am not sure how anyone would have a patent on it. And if you go that route, FSA and SRAM might be licensing wireless tech themseleves.
I think it is typical Shimano, let everyone work the bugs out for several years (i.e. road disc) and then come out with a better version that sets the "wireless standard". I personally waited out the road-disc-TA thing until now when it seems to have settled on Hydro-TA12 so I am happy to wait on the sidelines for Shimano wireless. That is when I will probably jump in and go full on custom/Ti/Hydro/TA12/Wireless/All-Road bike. For now, I will be more than happy with my Seven mid-reach brake mechanical road bike. Quote:
__________________
Life is too short to ride uncomfortable bikes.
|
|
#14
01-13-2018, 09:52 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Read an article about wireless and campagnolo, there is a big chance they have wireless already, the question is when.
I do believe that wireless is the way to go, even to convert a frame to electronic with wireslss is a lot easier. No drilling but maybe just rid off down tube bosses in old frames and good to go.
|
|
#15
01-13-2018, 09:56 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Some thoughts:
1. Thanks for sharing 2. Im glad a new guy is in the game pushing limits 3. This is the Ugliest group on the market 4. I cant get into powered things on bikes unless they are powered by the bike, ala Dynamo. wireless and electric shifting would only be acceptable to me if your riding creates the power to charge the items. otherwie i dont bike to be powered by stuff.
|
 |
|
|
Hybrid Mode
