FSA K-Wing compact bars
#1
Thread Starter
Road runner
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
FSA K-Wing compact bars
Hi, I'm thinking about trying these bars, I think I like the idea of a flat top near the hoods and a shorter reach to the drops. And try carbon to take some of the ribs out of the ride. Any body using these or have tried them? any comments ********************?
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Bikes: raleigh carbon competition, trek 6500 hardtail
i had the fsa k wing , they are really comfy, the curve of the bars fit my hand perfect. I have ritchey biomax bars now and they blow! have a bend where your hands go and makes my fingers go numb in the drops. I will be ebaying it up soon for new bars.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 324
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From: California
#7
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
Likes: 32
From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
I have been riding FSA Carbon KWings for years, I swear by those handlebars, and just got a set of the compacts, love them. Depends on the fit of your bicycle, but on my S2, it really helped make me more comfortable in the drops.
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#8
Thread Starter
Road runner
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 259
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What about the cable routing , Ive read that you have to or can route the cables thru the bars. Is this true ?? did any of you have any installation problems ? did you have to route the cables thru the bars ??
#9
hello all, newbie here - have the carbon k-wing bars and for the first time in my years of cycling, no pain, no numbness and have my shifter cables routed through the bars - a bit of a fishing adventure but I got it done - you can always just wrap them if you don't want to fight with the bars
#10
Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Northridge, CA
Bikes: 2004 Felt F35R // 2010 Scott Addict RC
I have the carbon k-wing on my daily and I really like it, so I bought another one for my next build. I did all the fishing myself. It's a bit tricky when you are fishing both the brake and shifter, but it's doable.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 1
From: Southern CA
Bikes: '17 Trek Emonda, '16 Yeti ASR5, '14 Cdale F29 '08 Orbea Orca.
#12
Cardiac Case
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 3
From: Dropped... about 5 miles back...
Bikes: Trek, Cannondale, Litespeed, Lynskey
I too am considering these bars for the shorter drop, but I do have concerns on the sizing. I've read in a few posts here that the size is measured C-to-C at the tips of the barends so the bars may feel smaller on the flats since the ends are flared.
With those who have a 42cm FSA compact, can you provide a couple measurements C-to-C across the top of the bar?
Ultimately, I normally ride a 42cm bar but am wondering if I should go to a 44cm with the FSA compact?
With those who have a 42cm FSA compact, can you provide a couple measurements C-to-C across the top of the bar?
Ultimately, I normally ride a 42cm bar but am wondering if I should go to a 44cm with the FSA compact?
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#15
Habitual (Bike) Tweaker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Bikes: 2011 Specialized Allez Comp E5
I just scooped up a pair of these:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=17330
Hopefully this isn't a fluke and they actually come in.
Has anyone tried out Yokozuna cables with the internal routing of these bars? I have heard the housing is very stiff and it is fairly cumbersome to use the internal routing on these bars as it is.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=17330
Hopefully this isn't a fluke and they actually come in.
Has anyone tried out Yokozuna cables with the internal routing of these bars? I have heard the housing is very stiff and it is fairly cumbersome to use the internal routing on these bars as it is.
#16
I just scooped up a pair of these:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=17330
Hopefully this isn't a fluke and they actually come in.
Has anyone tried out Yokozuna cables with the internal routing of these bars? I have heard the housing is very stiff and it is fairly cumbersome to use the internal routing on these bars as it is.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=17330
Hopefully this isn't a fluke and they actually come in.
Has anyone tried out Yokozuna cables with the internal routing of these bars? I have heard the housing is very stiff and it is fairly cumbersome to use the internal routing on these bars as it is.I think those are the older model, by the way. They're still very nice. I used them for a couple years until switching to the compacts in December.
#18
I love mine. My stock ones were uncomfortable on longer rides.
Here's a picture from before I routed the cables internally.
https://i.imgur.com/2lOHT.jpg
Here's a picture from before I routed the cables internally.
https://i.imgur.com/2lOHT.jpg
#20
You can route either or both the brake and derailleur cables thru the bars or front and/or back of the Kwing conventionally as with a traditional Al bar. With Campy, I route the derailleur cables around the backside of the Kwing and brake cables thru the bar...transparent from a feel standpoint as I wrap the entire bar. Campy tends to work best with the freest cable compression and bends and why I do it. The Kwing carbon compact is the best bar I have ever ridden. It measures a bit small so keep that in mind if you are considering it...flairs at the bottom where it is measured. If you typically ride a 42cm bar...get the Kwing in a 44cm...what I ride. Best aspect of the bar aside from flat top and great compact hook shape is vibration damping...good for aging cyclists in particular...more comfy than a std. Al drop bar. On a budget, the FSA Wing Compact in Al is great bar as well...what I rode prior to the Kwing.
Last edited by Campag4life; 08-21-11 at 04:20 PM.
#21
Cardiac Case
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 3
From: Dropped... about 5 miles back...
Bikes: Trek, Cannondale, Litespeed, Lynskey
So is everybody jumping on the sale prices at PricePoint?
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#22
#24
'09 Synapse Carbon 3
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: Mission Viejo, CA
Bikes: '09 Synapse Carbon 3, R5000, R2000
Check out ITM's K-Sword
https://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=Handlebar+ITM+K-Sword
I don't think ITM manufactures them any longer. Picked up mine a few years ago. My choices were the K-Wing and the K-Sword. I tried both and the K-Sword fit my hands much better in both the tops and the corners.
Plus I doubt you will find another set out on the road if you want your bike to be unique.
https://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=Handlebar+ITM+K-Sword
I don't think ITM manufactures them any longer. Picked up mine a few years ago. My choices were the K-Wing and the K-Sword. I tried both and the K-Sword fit my hands much better in both the tops and the corners.
Plus I doubt you will find another set out on the road if you want your bike to be unique.







