FSA K-Force Compact Carbon Bar 42cm 09 - £179.95

Sometimes you lead, and sometimes you follow. FSA was the true trailblazer for "compact" gearing -- the 50/34 chainring combo that effectively made triple-chainring drivetrains extinct. With their "compact" handlebar they haven't spawned a revolution. Rather, they're yet another handlebar manufacturer responding to the demand of an ever-larger population of road cyclists. Many of us despise anatomic drop handlebars. Deda, Oval Concepts, and Ritchey all responded to this call by making various iterations of shallow and deep handlebars. These bars vary in drop and reach, but they all share one common trait: They have round drops, not the despicable anatomic drops. FSA is the latest company to join this trend. By "compact" handlebars, FSA means shallow drop handlebars. Blessedly, they have round drops, with a nicely abbreviated drop/reach combo of 125mm/78mm. They have a 4 degree sweep, keeping them nicely narrow in the hoods, but allowing for added leverage when you're hammering in the drops.

The K Force Compact has a 120mm center section to accommodate clip-on bars. Its continuous Kevlar/carbon weave provides equal parts strength, stiffness, and lightness. The stem clamp and lever areas are textured and reinforced, so your components will snug up nicely without tempting you to overtorque bolts and/or crush the bar. They come in a 31.8mm clamp only, and are available in 40, 42, and 44cm c-c. 220g.

• Newest generation Compact design for improved reach and performance
• Continuous carbon/kevlar composite construction
• Wide 110mm centre section for clip-ons and accessories
• Doiuble width single cable groove design improves stiffness and fatigue life
• Reinforced and textured clamping areas
• Carbon fibre 3K weave-gloss finish
• Colour graphics
• 31.8mm clamp zone, 400/420/440mm width
• 125mm drop, 80mm reach
• Carbon fibre 3K weave gloss
• Colour graphics
• Weight: 210g