Knob Magazine

FSA's K Force brake looks to be an early component of their first complete group.

Bike Radar reported that product development of FSA’s road group would be complete by late 2009 with some 200 test groups going to their sponsored teams, and a potential consumer release for Spring 2010.  Needless to say, FSA is not giving up many details about the group other than it will feature an 11 speed rear cassette, but the folks at bike radar seem to think that the finished group will assemble products from FSA’s K-Force line to form the ultimate group.

Why FSA is attempting to get into the drivetrain market is as interesting a question as what the final product will be.  My best guess is that FSA sees an opportunity to leverage their reputation in the “structural” parts arena (stems, seatposts, headsets, hubs, wheels & cranks) into the “mechanical” arena as well.  They are not the first to try to make this leap.  Also, FSA has show some remarkable prowess at actually getting things made at high quality and affordable prices.  In the end these two factors could pose a significant competitive advantage when negotiating OEM deals for FSA’s bread and butter product.

Whether FSA can succeed is the ultimate question.  We have already seen SRAM come up with some novel, if less functional, solutions to patent coverage on the integrated shifter.  Their success in that area was aided by some already functional designs developed in the off road arena.  FSA will face a much more difficult task having to develop unique shifter and derailluer technology from scratch.

A second, and perhaps bigger question, is whether FSA will make the right bet on where the technology will be next year.  The road drivetrain will be defined by one of two technological improvments next year, 11 speed mechanical or 10 speed electronic.  FSA has put their chips on the former, a risky move considering Shimano’s early release of electronic Dura-Ace.