Cyclocross - FSA Cross bar?

Hey all,

I'm gathering parts to build my all-purpose Salsa La Cruz and am weighing my options for bars. I like the short-n-shallow type and in the past, have tried the following: Salsa Poco, Ritchey Biomax Pro, Easton EC90 Carbon Equipe Pro, and the On One Midge. Of those my favorite is the Ritchey Biomax Pro though I like the flared drops of the Midge. Unfortunately, the extreme width of the Midge (a whopping 58cm :eek:) is the only reason I will not run this on my frame (I typically run a 42cm bar though I could manage a 44cm)...58cm feels a tad MTBish for me.

At any rate, in my search for frames I happened to come across the Kona Jake the Snake which had a curious looking bar on it: the FSA RD30 OS. It has a very shallow drop and looks to have some flare as well. I googled it with no luck. Has anyone any experience with this bar or specs, extra pictures, where to buy one, etc???

Here's a picture for reference.
http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k8/images/1000/2K8_JAKESNAKE.jpg

:thumb:

No idea on that bar, though I did like the feel of it when I rode one of those Jake the Snakes. I don't remeber it having much flare, though this was back in the fall, so my memory is shaky.

I also like the biomax, but am thinking that the Salsa Bell Lap would be a good compromise seeing as it has a good bit of flare but is nowhere near that of the midge. I believe it is also available in 42, though personally I like a slightly wider bar, so I'll go for the 46.

A little bit of searching revealed this bar (http://www.glorycycles.com/fsawiprocoro.html). Different name than the one on the Kona spec sheet, but it looks awfully similar.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/glorycycles_2002_15777203

this bar (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/product-handlebars/2008-fsa-omega-compact-handlebar-4583_221_FALSE.html) seems pretty close. 125mm drop and 80mm reach. the rd-30 means it's probably on fsa's lower end, as the omega bar suggests by it's weight.

Thanks guys - def looks like the Omega. If only the Bell Lap had a shallower drop it would be perfect. I think for now I'll try the Omega...and if I like it, maybe I'll have to splurge and get the K-Force carbon - same specs less 30g, more bling ;)
Totally unnecessary, but tempting nevertheless.
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/img/product/full/f/fsalfs9b.jpg

I wouldn't use a carbon bar for cross, but that's your perogative I guess.

Thanks guys - def looks like the Omega. If only the Bell Lap had a shallower drop it would be perfect. I think for now I'll try the Omega...and if I like it, maybe I'll have to splurge and get the K-Force carbon - same specs less 30g, more bling ;)
Totally unnecessary, but tempting nevertheless.
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/img/product/full/f/fsalfs9b.jpg

If you do get the omega, come back and let us know how you like it. I like shallow drop, short reach bars too. I've got a biomax right now and I think it'd be perfect with a little more flare and a slightly less prominent bump.