Technique
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Parent Category: Technique
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Category: FSA
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Published on Wednesday, 07 July 2010 08:22
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Written by Luca Salvatelli
A very rigid stem with carbon look
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The stem FSA OS-99 CSI is designed Ergal forged finish 3K carbon. The faceplate is always Ergal and closed with 4 titanium screws. More titanium are the screws on the stem on the fork. The handlebar must have a diameter of 31.8 mm, while the fork must have a diameter of 1 inch and 1/8. It's available in sizes 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 mm. The 110 mm version has a declared weight of 122 grams, the same weight that we observed.
The road test
The stem FSA OS-99 CSI is substantially realized Ergal with carbon fiber that is only an aesthetic finish. This solution is adopted by other manufacturers. In fact if the market requires more carbon components is also true that, subject to the stems, an Ergal product is stiffer and lighter than a carbon. The solution is to have the mechanical properties of its alloy with the aesthetic of carbon. In the case of FSA, the solution was perfectly having reached the surface quality and gloss of the stem. The installation and simple. The rigidity of the stem in motion is great in every situation, both in braking or in the sprints. Even uphill, standing on the pedals, the rigidity is so great and can always manage well the bike and feel good about the work of the front wheel. Same positive feelings you have downhill at high speeds, especially on rough, where the feeling with the front wheel never fails. The comfort is minimal, almost nil, as all stems alloy, showing how the carbon is only part of pure aesthetics, so every shot feels good road and the long run, the less fit, could be affected. The actual weight could be a few grams less, but in this case there seems to have been privileged rigidity to weight reduction. Then intended to stem the most demanding athletes who increasingly demand low weight and high rigidity, two aspects of living well in this stem. The song list is about 179 Euros, but you can easily find 119 Euro, prices are competitive with the best competition.
Positive aspects
Build quality
Rigidity
Look
Negative aspects
Comfort
To learn more:
FSA
Website: www.fullspeedahead.com
