FSA's new 11 speed groupset

[AndreZA]

FSA groupset

 

 

 

FSA 11 Speed Derailleur, Shifter?

 

BY CJ EDER ? NOVEMBER 16, 2008

 

 

 

FSA is obviously serious about putting together an ambitious, if not dangerously so, product for its entry into the complete drivetrain business.   Recent patent applications reveal what appears to be the shifter and derailleur for the new FSA group. The two are nothing short of stunning.

 

 

 

The illustrations show a meticulously sculpted rear derailleur that appears to forgo the traditional parallelogram linkage and use a single arm with an internal gear mechanism to keep the lower knuckle aligned.   Not only is does it appear that FSA decided to go push the limits in terms of weight, they are looking to push the limits in terms of technology. What is perhaps most interesting is that the application suggests that the same derailleur design could be actuated by a small electric motor, either to complete the entire shift, or to provide on the fly adjustments for an otherwise cable driven system. If FSA adopts the latter, they would be brilliantly positioned to take on the big three with a hybrid system that offers the better reliability and battery life. Knowing how long it took Shimano and Campy to develop electronic shifting, however, I would bet that FSA would wait to debut this technology for a later generation of the product.

 

 

 

At first glance the shifter seems a little less special. Of course it is note worthy, in a why didn?t I think of that, sort of way that the designers oriented the cable spool parallel to the shifter body. The result is a much more direct cable path and one would expect smoother action. The application shows two different applications of this technology: one using a smaller trigger, and another using a more traditional behind the shifter paddle. From what I can tell the single lever controls all shifts a pull or a push to the side to draw cable in, and a push of the lever forward to release cable. All in all the design looks incredibly light and simple. Moreover, by tucking the spool sideways inside of the hood, the overall width of the hood need not be too wide, at least at the front. This should allow FSA ample latitude in the visual design department.

 

 

 

That brings me to what might be the most interesting thing about these filings. It appears that FSA has pulled out all the stops in the development of their drivetrain. The design end of the project appears to be a collaboration between inventor/frame-builder Sandro Montanari and Industrial Designer Ermanno Righi. Both Montanari and Righi, who have worked together in the past, have an apparent eye for style.   Montanari appears to be the man behind Italian custom builder virtuallybike, and Righi a celebrated designer and one of the creators of the plus bike.   Both designers seem to work well wedding retro design elements with higher tech applications.   These initial illustrations suggest that the design will take FSA?s red and white racing stripe motif and run with it producing a high tech group that has a decidedly old school look. Kind of an Eddy Merckx meets iPhone kind of thing.

 

 

 

If these illustrations are indeed future FSA product, it would appear that FSA is looking to push the visual design envelope as well on the finished product. This would represent more than just a coming of age for a company that just a few years ago was little more than a namplate for the taiwanese manufacturer Tien Hsin.   A design this technologically and visually bold suggests that FSA is poised to be a trendsetter in bicycle design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sammajoor]

Any pictures

[AndreZA]

Any pictures

 

 

 

 

click on the link on top. But it's schematics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bos]

Hijack..

 

Did you see the other Link on the site? The one about the SRAM XX 2x10 spd MTB parts..should be interresting.

 

Hi Jack off.

 

FSA make some good stuff, wonder If it will "BLOW MINDS"  lets wait and see.

[Sammajoor]

 

Any pictures

 

 

 

 

click on the link on top. But it's schematics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ook maar lekker deur die k@k