THE FSA CHAIN STORY
WHAT MAKES A SUPERIOR CHAIN?
Why is the chain so important? The chain is the critical component that links the front chainwheel to the rear transmission. it must be strong, silent and long lasting to effectively transfer the rider’s power to the bicycle.
What are the most important features of a chain? - STRENGTH - LONGEVITY - QUIETNESS
DESIGN CONCEPT ROLLER + engagement - noise / vibration
OUTER PLATE SHAPE - shift noise - contact
CLEARANCE - shift noise + precise shifting
PIN - wear - transmission loss
CHAMFER - sprocket wear + precise shifting
CHAMFER - sprocket wear - engagement wear
Precision Manufacturing Optimized design for superior shifting function. Produced using advanced stamping techniques with precision stamping molds. Fully automated production ensures all the designed features are precisely duplicated in each and every link.
Advanced surface finishing technology Link pins are finished using a NOVA™ “Hard Chromizing” process, which significantly improves the wear resistance of pins. NOVA TM technology is far more advanced than general surface finishing used by other chain manufacturers. Also used during manufacturing is a new generation of specialized surface lubricating polymer technology. Its physical properties of resistance to extreme pressure and galling gives the treated metal surface superior resistance to wear.
LINK DESIGN
TENSILE STRENGTH
PRESS FIT CHAMFERING
CHAMFERING
EMBOSSING WEAR RESISTANCE
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS BULK HIGH QUALITY COIL
CUTTING AND ROLLING
Stable quality of raw materials
Automated production
FULL SPEED AHEAD chains use raw material 100% sourced from Taiwan China Steel Co. to ensure consistent strength, hardness and stability of the chain components. Only certified and traceable high quality steel is used for the production of FULL SPEED AHEAD chains. Special attention is paid to controlling quality and consistency throughout each step of the production process. Every single component of the chain is produced in-house: link plate, bushing, pin and roller.
Different heat treatment options are applied according to the specific function and manufacturing process of each component. Self-developed assembly machines better position components and detects missing parts. Pre-loading increases durability. Quality control includes incoming parts, in-process and final product inspections. Functional tests of chains are constantly ongoing.
STAMPING
HARDENING
ASSEMBLY
1. Analyze market products 2. Detailed product design and engineering of the chain 3. Design production process & key process development 4. Validation & Testing
FSA PIN LINK: DESIGN ANALYSIS Boundary Condition : Reaction Force = 100 kgf (980 N). Finite Element Analysis for FSA Pin Link Plate: Dimension: Pitch = 12.62mm Pitch Holes = �3.60 mm Plate Height = 8.20mm Plate Thickness = 0.80mm
Von Mises Stress�Max��960N/mm2
Displacement Vector �Max��0.02334mm
MANUFACTORING TECHNOLOGY
VERIFIED BY WEAR TESTS SPECIAL HARDENING PROCESS
KEY PROCESSES DEVELOPMENT 1. Special pin heat treatment 2. Simulation tester FSA pin heat treatment development process : 1. Research 2. Develop Process 3. Heat Treatment Equipment Developing 4. Testing & Verification WEAR RESISTANCE 1. PIN HARDENING PROCESS 2. ADVANCED TESTING
TESTING PROCESS SHIFTING PERFORMANCE TEST shifting performance FUNCTIONS TESTED:
1. SIMULATE FRONT/REAR GEAR SHIFTING 2. CONTROL CRANK/FLYWHEEL RPM 3. AUTOMATICALLY CONTROL/ADJUST CHAIN TENSION 4. MONITOR GEAR SHIFT FAILURE 5. FULLY AUTOMATED DATA COLLECTING / RECORD KEEPING
CHAIN ELONGATION TEST FUNCTIONS TESTED:
PURPOSE: COMPARE DURABILITY LIFE SPAN
A. SIMULATION TEST: Data • Front sprocket teeth: FSA 50T • Rear sprocket teeth:11...28T • (SMN DA 11S) • Chain links: 106L B. TEST PROTOCOL • 10 cycles of shifting gears on rear sprocket • Crank RPM: 40 RPM • Chain Tension: 22.5 Kg • Loading mode: 11T 28T 11T… X 10 cycles shift gear verify rpm loading reduce load shift gear
EQUIPMENT Dynamic Fatigue test machine • Front chainring teeth: 50T • Rear sprocket teeth: 11T • chain links: 106L TEST CONDITION • RPM: 80 • Chain Tension : 45 Kgf • Rear 11T RPM: 365 RPM (48 Km/hr)
CHAIN NOISE TEST
MAIN FUNCTIONS: TO DEFINE CHAIN NOISE: 3 MICROPHONES WERE USED TO MEASURE NOISE OF TOOTH ENGAGEMENT AND TOTAL NOISE GENERATED
EQUIPMENT • Acoustic Chamber • Front chainring teeth: 50T • Rear sprocket teeth: 11T • chain links: 106L TEST CONDITION • Crank 50T 80 RPM • Chain Tension : 45 Kgf • Rear 11T 365 RPM (48 Km/hr)
NOISE SPECTRUM ANALYSIS FOR ACOUSTICAL RESONANCE:
PRODUCT RANGE
K-FORCE LIGHT 11 Speed FSA’s premium chain for Campy C11 Shimano N11 drive trains, offering precise shifting and exceptional durability. DESCRIPTION & MATERIALS • Quiet and efficient performance • Superior durability • Hollow pins and slotted inner links for light weight • 114 links FINISH • Nickel Plated finish • FSA Logos WEIGHT • 245 grams (114 Links)
DRIVE LINK CONNECTOR 11 SPEED DESCRIPTION & MATERIALS • Single use connecting link • Easy assembly • Take along an extra for road / trailside repairs • For all FSA 11 Speed Chains WEIGHT • 2.5 grams
K-FORCE LIGHT 10 Speed FSA’s ultra-premium, super light 10-speed chain. DESCRIPTION & MATERIALS • Quiet and efficient performance • Superior durability • Hollow pins and slotted inner links for light weight • 114 links FINISH • Nickel Plated finish • FSA Logos WEIGHT • 250 grams (114 Links)
DRIVE LINK CONNECTOR 10 SPEED DESCRIPTION & MATERIALS • Single use connecting link • Tool Less assembly • Take along an extra for road / trailside repairs • For all FSA 10 Speed Chains WEIGHT • 2.8 grams
TEAM ISSUE 11 Speed FSA’s quiet, efficient, and durable chain, now for 11-speed drivetrains. DESCRIPTION & MATERIALS • Quiet and efficient performance • Superior durability • 114 links SIZES • 5.6mm Width FINISH • Nickel Plated finish • FSA Logos WEIGHT • 261 grams (114 Links)
DRIVE LINK CONNECTOR 11 SPEED DESCRIPTION & MATERIALS • Single use connecting link • Easy assembly • Take along an extra for road / trailside repairs • For all FSA 11 Speed Chains WEIGHT • 2.5 grams
TEAM ISSUE 10 Speed DESCRIPTION & MATERIALS • Compatible with 10 speed narrow shifting systems • Chamfered to enhance shifting performance • Quite running, smooth shifting • 114 links FINISH • Nickel plated outer link / black inner link finish • FSA Logos WEIGHT • 264 grams (114 Links)
DRIVE LINK CONNECTOR 10 SPEED DESCRIPTION & MATERIALS • Single use connecting link • Tool Less assembly • Take along an extra for road / trailside repairs • For all FSA 10 Speed Chains WEIGHT • 2.8 grams
TEAM ISSUE 9 Speed New chain options for 9 speed drivetrains. Targeted for OEM, with bulk options. These chains are priced competitively and offer state of the art performance. DESCRIPTION & MATERIALS • Compatible with 9 speed • Chamfered for shifting performance • Includes 1-PC Connector • 114 links SIZES • 6.4mm width FINISH • Nickel plated outer link / black inner link finish • FSA Logos WEIGHT • 284 grams (114 Links)
• PRECISION CHAMFER FOR BETTER SHIFTING
COMPARISON OF K-FORCE LIGHT & TEAM ISSUE 9, 10 AND 11 SPEED CHAINS Why FSA Chains? FSA chains add performance and value Best price / performance ratio. State of the art manufacturing and quality
FSA CHAIN MODEL RANGE ITEM
DESCRIPTION
SPEEDS
PIN
WEIGHT GR. / 114L
CN-906
TEAM ISSUE
9 speed
Solid
284
CN-910N
TEAM ISSUE
10 speed
Solid
264
CN-1102N
TEAM ISSUE
11 speed
Solid
261
CN-1002N
K-FORCE LIGHT
10 speed
Hollow
250
CN-1101N
K-FORCE LIGHT
11 speed
Hollow
246
NUMBER
TH INDUSTRIES NO.6, WUGONG 8TH RD., WUFENG DIST., TAICHUNG CITY 41353 - TAIWAN (R.O.C.) PH. +886 4 2331 9134 FAX +886 4 2331 1943 FULL SPEED AHEAD EUROPE VIA DEL LAVORO, 56 20874 BUSNAGO, MILAN, ITALY PH. +39 039 688 52 65 FAX +39 039 682 33 36 FULL SPEED AHEAD USA 12212 CYRUS WAY MUKILTEO, WA 98275-5702 PH. +1 425 488 8653 FAX +1 425 489 1082