Rumors have been flying about what SRAM has in store for the next generation Red component group. It is almost hard to believe that SRAM has only been in the road game for a short period of time as they now grace a lot of the Tour riders and bikes across the world. With their double tap technology, SRAM has carved a niche out for themselves in road biking.

According to rumors, the new Red groupo is going to continue to be a 10 speed setup. However, that is about the only spec that it will share with the current generation. Features like customizable gel padding under the hoods, hollow carbon fiber crankset, rotating derailleur designs and the option of hydraulic disc brakes are all hitting the rumor mills.

In perfect SRAM fashion, they have just released this teaser video to get the media circles running. What have you heard about the new SRAM Red setup?

The FSA K-Wing compact carbon handlebars are a lustful set of drop handlebars in certain road biking circles. With their glossy carbon looks and unique shaping, riders that race and just want to get out on the weekend alike look to the K-Wing as one of the “wish I had’s” in the road bike component market. This unique set of bars has been imitated across other brands and lines, so let’s take a look at how they performed on the road after the K-Wing’s were mounted up and taped.

Description and Materials from FullSpeedAhead.com:

• Continuous carbon/kevlar composite construction
• Aero-Ergo flat-top riser central section follows the natural arc of the arms
• Internal cable routing
• Reinforced and textured lever and stem clamping areas
• Sizes:
• Ø31.8mm x W400, 420, 440mm(c-c) (440mm tested)
• 125mm drop, 80mm reach
• 2° outward bend
• Finish: 3K carbon weave w/Color graphics (also available in a white version)
• Weight: 247 grams (400mm)

Installation of the K-Wing compact carbons goes just about like any other drop bar you will install on your road bike. However, due to the slight rise and larger flatter sections on the handlebars, you might have to drop one more spacer on the steerer tube and make sure to wrap your bar tape with a little bit less overlap. As you can see by the pictures, our Eleganza bar tape didn’t make it all the way across the flats of the bars. While this did not effect riding at all (there was plenty around the palm area), some riders do prefer to run the length of the bars, so plan accordingly during install.

Also, due to the internal routing design of the K-Wing’s, you might have to re-cable your brake lines as the ferrells from the housing would not fit through the internal routing channels.

On The Road: FSA K-Wing Compact Carbon Handlebars

The FSA K-Wing’s use FSA’s compact geometry which gives the rider a flatter top section on the bars (even with the hoods) and a flare to the drops to allow for a shorter reach to the brake levers and increased room for your forearms while riding in the drops for sprints and low profile riding. Riders that are used to traditional drops will have to get used to the more ergonomic design, but I found that the adjustment period is pretty short.

The flare to the FSA K-Wing compacts is not too extreme, but it does allow for extra room for your forearms while riding in the drops. When compared to more traditional styled bends, the extra room provided more sprinting room without feeling like I was going to slam into the bike while maneuvering the frame. I also found the design these bars to be a lot more ergonomic when braking in the drops on long downhill runs with the positioning of the levers and the ideal hand position leading to less fatigue as the miles added on. While under harder loads in flat sprints, the K-Wing’s were adequately stiff but with the thinner walled carbon there was some flex in comparison with aluminum or thinker walled carbon.

Where the K-Wing’s from FSA really shinned was on long, steep climbs. The flat sections on the top of the bars make the K-Wings the most comfortable climbing bars I have ever ridden. With multiple hand positions on the top of the bars that all take the load from your hands and distribute it more evenly, I was able to alternate positions over the longer mileage climbs and prevent any numbness or pain. On typical round bars, you can start to form pressure points as you change positions, but the flat sections on the middle of the bars and at the drops really allowed for a lot of comfortable options.

Overall: FSA K-Wing Compact Drop Handlebars

If you are looking for a really good set of climbing handlebars for your road bike, look no further than the K-Wing’s from FSA. They are…by far…the best climbing set of handlebars I have ever ridden. The compact design also makes for increased comfort and easier braking while in the drops, but hardcore sprinters are going to be looking for a little bit more stiffness when really dropping the hammer.

Positives: FSA K-Wing Compacts

• Extremely comfortable climbing handlebars
• Stunning good looks on the bike
• Compact design makes braking and riding in the drops easier

Negatives: FSA K-Wing Compacts

• Not the lightest carbon bars on the market
• Expensive
• Only available in carbon or white with red graphics: May not match your road bike
• Slight flexing under hard sprints

At the end of the day…the FSA K-Wing handlebars are one of those components I miss when they are not installed on the bike.

Click here to check out more: FSA K-Wing Compact Carbon Road Bar

Other products pictured: Bike Ribbon – Eleganza Bar Tape | Blue Nx7 | Garmin Edge 705

When you think of ultra-light, high performance components for road bikes, names like Red, Super Record and Dura-Ace are the go to groupos to shave the grams and extract more speed out of your road bike, but are they really worth the price of admission as you try to increase speed?

SRAM Red, Shimano Dura-Ace and Campagnolo Super Record

I am going to let you in on a little known secret in the road biking industry. The majority of the lower end models in all lines from SRAM, Shimano and Campagnolo use the same designs as the flagship top of the line components. That’s right…so that same feeling you are getting out of Ultegra, Force, Athena and even the lower end lines is the same feeling you get on the ultra high end component groups.

So if they feel the same…what is the real difference??

Typically, the real difference is in the materials. As you try to decrease weight and keep the same performance and durability, you have to use higher end, more expensive materials to get the job done. The amount of extra dollars that goes into saving grams is disproportional to say the least. When you jump from readily available materials like aluminum and steel to higher end titanium and carbons, the price starts to rise at a drastic rate. On top of that, there are typically pricing structures build into higher end components to set them away from the lower end lines.

So who is the top of the line really for?

If you are super weight conscious and have the coin to drop on higher end road bike components, you are going to feel right at home with the best of the best. You are going to get blinged out looks and drop those precious grams in search of the lightest bike possible.

What if I really just need solid performance?

Then you are in luck. Today’s component manufactures have brought high-end performance to the lower lineups with less bling appeal and a little bit higher weight. If you want to get closer to the higher end in regards to look and weight, look at the Ultegra, Force and Record road bike components. If you really don’t mind adding just a little bit more weight but want to save a lot of money, stepping down one more to the 105, Rival and Athena groupos will bring you a solid performing road bike component group without completely robbing you blind.

If you want to get creative and bring in the best of both worlds, you can mix and match components within the same brand (Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo) to save money in certain areas and getting the high end in others. In road bike component groups, most of the dollar value hits in the shifter/brake lever combo and there actually is a stiffness difference in most cranksets. If you want to save money and spend it where it matters, jump down one line in the hoods…go up a line in the crankset…and drop back down for the derailleurs. You will get the same shifting performance at a little bit higher weight but gain back the stiffness in your main power source to the ground.

Building Your Road Bike: Money Where It Matters

Building your optimal road bike is all about pulling the maximum amount of performance out of the budget you have set. By forgoing the ultra high end rear derailleur, you can spend that money in areas that you will see a more drastic difference on the road like the wheelset or frame. Too often, riders get stuck on wanting that high-end rear derailleur and skimp on other areas when there money could be a lot better spent from a weight and performance level.

Find the best prices on road components: JensonUSA | RealCyclist | eBay

Losing Weight On Your Road Bike The Right Way

So you have a bike that needs to go on a diet. Before you jump in and dump a load of cash into new parts, there are a couple of things to consider during this journey into weight weenie stardom.

• Every Little Bit Counts – As you continue to upgrade components or look at buying a new bike, little weight differences over multiple parts add up. So as you look at a 100 gram difference, realize that if you save that five times throughout your bike component purchases, you have saved over a pound off your total weight (453.59232 Grams in a Pound).
• Noticing It While Riding Is Tricky For Some Parts – Getting that ti or carbon water bottle cage to shave some weight is really more of an impulse, bling buy. The trick is shaving the weight where you will actually notice the difference while riding.

Where To Start Spending Money On Road Bike Components

Keeping those two things in mind, there are 3 areas you should start in if you are looking at shaving serious weight off your road bike but actually be able to feel the difference on the road.

• Wheels – Rotating mass is probably the #1 place to start if you are looking to shave weight that will actually affect your riding. Not only do they have some serious ability to drop the grams quickly, but that feeling is multiplied on the road as you are having to actually rotate that weight with your legs on the bike. The more you shave off the weight with the wheels, the faster you will accelerate and get to speed. Nothing changes the way a bike rides quite like a new set of high-end wheels. But…many riders will forgo this option in place of a new component set. Regardless of bike, this is one investment that will pay for itself time and time again as you move wheels from bike to bike. Now…be sure to keep in the back of your mind that they still need to be durable enough for your riding style (don’t get the lightest ones you can find if you are 240 lbs and a power hammer rider).
• Frame - By switching frame materials or going to a higher end road bike frame, you can drop a drastic amount of weight and improve your ride quality at the same time. Newer carbon frames are going to have a better ride at a lighter weight than their aluminum and steel counterparts. Your frame is also the largest part of your bike (outside of the wheels), so any change in this department completely changes how your road bike feels (only in regards to weight) while riding.
• You – That’s right…you! This also happens to be the cheapest upgrade you could ever make. It is time to start eating right and riding more. It is much more beneficial to lose 10 pounds off your body than 2 pounds off your bike and it will not cost you several thousand dollars. I see riders all the time dump thousands of dollars into their road bikes looking for that extra bit of speed, but if they would just lay off the calories and get into better shape…it wouldn’t matter what bike they were riding.

As you starting looking for ways to increase your speed on the road, those three areas are where you need to start to squeeze that efficiency out of you and your bike.

With quotes like these:

“GRAND AWARD WINNER FOR BEST RECREATION PRODUCT OF 2008″
- Popular Science Magazine

“…changing gears has never been easier.”
- Bicycling Magazine

“You can stay on the gas and flip through the gears with no hesitation. It’s seamless power.”
-Chris d’Aluisio, director of advanced research and development, Specialized

“immediate and very smooth and accurate…. It’s super nice.”
-Frankie Andreu, former Tour de France racer and TV cycling commentator

I was primed and ready to try out Shimano Di2…the component group to end all component groups.

More On the Shimano Dura Ace Di2 Groupo

Shimano Press Release:

Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Components

Shimano officially announced Dura-Ace Di2, a technologically advanced, electronic shifting option for the all new 7900 series Dura-Ace. Comprised of Dual Control type shift / brake levers, front derailleur, rear derailleur, and a battery pack, the new Dura-Ace Di2 7970 components provide precision electronic performance and integrate seamlessly with components from the 7900 series Dura-Ace group while adding only 68 grams to the entire group.

Electrically actuated shifting significantly eliminates issues associated with cable friction and contamination because the derailleurs respond to electrical impulses that are delivered in fractions of a second. The shifters are now merely switches which also allows for creative placement of optional remote shifters while also reducing the weight and profile of the main shift units. Derailleur movement is precisely controlled through computer automated movement and servo motors creating perfectly synchronized and calibrated shifts every time.

ST-7970 Dura-Ace Di2 Dual Control Levers
By using unidirectional carbon fiber brake lever blades and eliminating all of the mechanical shifter parts, the new Dual Control lever weight is reduced by over 155g over the mechanical version. The ergonomics are slimmed down and further refined for a comfortable grip.

The wiring harness for the shifters is designed to accept the all new FlightDeck computer (SC-7900) featuring heart rate, altitude, grade, cadence, estimated caloric consumption, gear position, and battery life all directly downloadable data via a wireless connection.

RD-7970 Dura-Ace Di2 Rear Derailleur
Like the 7900 mechanical derailleur, the 7970 has a new carbon fiber rear pulley cage and the new design is compatible with wider range cogsets, accommodating up to a 27 tooth cog. The differences are the fact that the unit is now driven by a servo motor instead of a cable and spring, so shifts are identical and precise every time as the computer control unit analyzes each shift.

The derailleur has a built in mechanism that will allow the body to move inward under impact to reduce the potential for damage in the case of a crash. Cycling through the shifting a couple of times allows the shifter and rear derailleur to automatically re-synchronize.

FD-7970 Dura-Ace Di2 Front Derailleur
The front derailleur is the “brains” of the system. The integrated ultra-compact CPU not only ensures that shifting is perfect for both the front and rear derailleurs individually, but also by monitoring the position of each, creates a front derailleur that tracks the chain and requires zero manual trim without sacrificing any shifting speed. The front derailleur logic also performs the inward shift from the big chainring in two parts to eliminate chain drop, with both actions measured in fractions of a second.

SM-BTR1 Dura-Ace Di2 Battery Pack
The 7.4V, high performance Lithium Ion battery is designed to deliver reliable, long life even in the worst conditions. In conditions requiring consistent and frequent shifting, the battery is capable of 1000 kilometers of use.

The battery is rechargeable and comes with a mount that easily adapts to most bikes. Lithium Ion technology is lighter, more compact and better performing than other power sources, making it a clear choice for Di2.

Dura-Ace Di2 redefines the highest level of component performance and solidifies the brand as the benchmark for professional cyclists and road cycling enthusiasts alike. Dura Ace Di2 will be available January 2009.

Enough Tech Talk – How Does Shimano Di2 Shift?

First, at $4,700 US (yes you are reading the sign correctly in the picture below…try not to throw up all over your keyboard), this group better make me a faster rider. You know something is really expensive when hard core roadies are going…”I don’t know…that is a lot of money for a component group.”

Trying to forget about the price, in all honesty…the shifting on the Shimano Dura Ace Di2 setup is CRISP! The new shifters took some getting used to. I actually couldn’t figure it out at first and it took a little instruction to realize the push/push function of the electronic shifters. There are two seperate paddles as you can see in the pictures below. With each very short throw, the derailleur moves through the motions almost effortlessly.

On the rear shifting setup, there is one feature that is going to be greatly missed…there is no option to move up multiple gears on the cassette. You can only move up one at a time as you get ready for that stupid steep climb up ahead. Even though you can shift up pretty rapidly because of the fast action and short throw, you still can’t just dump the cassette when needed.

The front derailleur shifting on the Dura Ace Di2 system was flawless. Shifting to the big ring has never been easier and it is done with a short click of the shifter. You no longer have to throw the brake lever inboard like conventional Shimano cable driven systems. The front derailleur also auto trims based on your rear gear selection. As you shift through the rear cassette, it automatically adjusts to prevent the chain from rubbing on the FD cage. The front derailleur just shifts quietly and perfectly every time and this is the biggest selling point of the Dura Ace Di2 in my opinion.

The other obvious selling point of the Dura Ace Di2 from Shimano is the absence of cable friction and stretch.

Is the Shimano Dura Ace Di2 Group worth it?

For me…no. That is a lot of money to throw down on electric shifting. It was cool to play around with for awhile, but in the end…I have zero issues out of my current Dura Ace group and I do not see the need to spend that kind of money. Is it cool to see technology progressing and to have other options? Sure! But for this rider…I’ll still to cable driven for now.

Big thanks to Josh and the crew at Outspokin’ Bicycles for the invite. I took a ton of pictures as you can see below. Like a true mountain biker…I couldn’t help taking pictures of some of the fat tire porn around the shop, so enjoy the shots.