Wild Carbon Wheels, FSA's One-Piece Handlebar, & a 3D-Printed Seat - Taipei Cycle Show 2023

Mar 23, 2023
by Mike Levy  
Taipei Cycle Show

Taipei Cycle Show
Taipei Cycle Show


Bored of metal spokes? Got some money to spend? These wild-looking Xentis monocoque carbon Kappa wheels are handmade in their Austrian factory, and the finished product is a 1,730-gram 29er wheelset with a 36mm rim width and €3,500 price tag that's sure to have other riders asking you all the questions. Their catalog includes options for road, gravel, cyclocross, and e-bikes, most of which employ a four or five-spoke design that, according to Xentis, is based on a "compression spoke principle" rather than standard spokes that are used in tension. Aside from less maintenance, the upsides are said to be up to three times the lateral stiffness versus a conventional setup, better aerodynamics, higher strength, and more comfort through better damping. They're not a new player, either, having been doing this since 2004.

They have 29, 27.5, and even 26" versions, all the axle sizes and freehubs options, and its Centerlock rotor mounting across the board. I definitely need to try these things.



Taipei Cycle Show

Taipei Cycle Show
Taipei Cycle Show

Taipei Cycle Show
Taipei Cycle Show


One-piece handlebars and stems are an acquired taste, and you obviously need to be okay with the fact that you can't adjust the roll of your 'bar, but they can make sense for riders who count grams and want to look like they're from the future. FSA's KFX SIC Integrated cockpit ticks those boxes while also using all the three-letter acronyms, and the 65mm version weighs in at just 265 grams. There are also 85 and 105mm stem length models, all sporting internal cable routing that enters the 'bar through ports on its underside, as well as an optional aluminum extension mount for your light, GoPro, or possible laser gun depending on how far in the future you're from.

All three stem length options are paired with a 780mm width that gets a 9-degree back sweep and a 5-degree up sweep, along with the same UD carbon finish. These would probably pair well with a set of Xentis wheels, wouldn't they?



Taipei Cycle Show
Taipei Cycle Show


Sticking to the same "I probably can't afford that" theme, here's the SLR Boost 3D Kit Carbonio Superflow seat from Selle Italia. This one ticks all the dork boxes with a 3D-printed cover that has a "proprietary pattern featuring differentiated cushioning zones," set on top of the shell that's fitted with a one-piece carbon fiber rail design. There are 130 and 145mm widths, but only one price: €449.90.


What frame would you put your Xentis Kappa wheels, FSA KFX SIC Integrated handlebar, and Selle Italia SLR Boost 3D Kit Carbonio Superflow seat onto?

Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

79 Comments
  • 126 1
 I would put all that carbon on a rusty steel frame,just to balance things out.
  • 6 1
 Has no one seen a proper good bar mounted sound system yet or even a ghetto blaster
  • 45 0
 I would pay 450 euros just to say I have a SLR 3D Excaliber Supercarbonio Turbo (whatever it was called, I keep forgetting by the time I scroll down to where I'm typing).
  • 1 0
 Easy.
“ SLR Boost 3D Kit Carbonio Superflow seat from Selle Italia”
Just copy and paste
  • 13 0
 i really dig the pre-damaged look right at the bottom of those wheel spokes. definitely inspires confidence
  • 10 0
 The burning question is how far into the future are laser guns?
  • 6 0
 "The future is already here, it's just not evenly distributed" - William Gibson
  • 2 0
 Book yourself in for a vasectomy, they use lasers, and you'll feel super brave when they aim it at your nuts.
  • 9 1
 I busted an Ergon carbon railed seat a few years back just sitting on it and took a shard to the arse, close to the devils driveway.
  • 17 0
 Recommend this be read in the voice of Crocodile Dundee.
  • 2 0
 @BenPea: That's honestly how it sounded in my head as I continued on to read your reply. There is no other voice possible now.
  • 6 0
 So where are the 25mm / 15mm / 0mm equivalent single piece stem / bars? Y'know, something that might actually give you a reason to consider the concept besides how it looks?
  • 8 0
 those are meant for XC bikes where no one runs a stem that short
  • 2 0
 And also add a wide range of tilts, because the chance that this angle is comfortable is almost zero.
  • 1 0
 @IntoTheEverflow: my friends on an FSA sponsored team say they're much more comfortable than the old Syncros Hixon. don't count something out until you try it - someone who got wrist pain from the Hixon but has zero complaints with the Bontrager RSL bar/stem
  • 7 1
 Didn’t Spinergy wheels die many years back? To many stick in wheel deaths or something?
  • 2 1
 Yes, and so did Spin wheels. It seems their garbage ghosts are still hauting us. Big Grin
  • 31 1
 Spinergy are still around, the make wheelchair wheels, possibly after putting their target market in them in the first place.
  • 6 0
 Spinergy are still in business, I received 3 sets of MTB wheels yesterday, they’re very good.

It wasn’t that Spinergy died, but that the UCI thought their early wheels with 8 hard bladed spokes might cause injury in peleton crashes.
Spin wheels had a different problem - they were never round.
  • 1 0
 the original 4 spoke carbon design ones would have catastrophic failures if one of the spokes broke because the remainder of the structure couldn't support the weight or shape any longer and the spokes would blast apart and you would get severely hurt. there was definitely a bunch of real bad accidents like 20 years ago and/or paralysis(es?) happening and/or lawsuits. I never kept up with what happened, but I remember THAT happening for sure in a few public cases in the hayday of forums. Apparently people really like their regular ol' spoked wheels and they do just fine.
  • 1 0
 @DirtBagTim: Really? Their website hasn't changed on years, and they don't respond to emails. Am I doing it wrong?
  • 1 0
 @DirtBagTim: I retract that comment. I was thinking of Spengle.
  • 2 0
 @CarbonShmarbon: but yes, Spinergy, not Spengle. I’ve not enjoyed the molded wheels I’ve tried - though I’ve not tried many.
  • 2 0
 @Sweatypants: I have 2 sets of the offending wheels, ones from around the first run and the other closer to last production. Solid wheels, even not broken the spokes are like razors. It was more a principle of technology that got them banned with the UCI. A real shame, road wise I would have liked to see the technology progressed.
  • 1 0
 @CarbonShmarbon: If I can't find you, I'll always be able to find you on pb commenting on mag wheels!
  • 1 0
 @Chefwebley: For some reason a HED 3 seemed way less dangerous to own to me, although HEDs weren't light by any means.
  • 3 0
 @frenchfriedfun: ONE DAY I'LL GET MY DAMN MAGS!
  • 5 3
 The placement of the "X" on the one piece wheels semms like the worst position they could choose, as it is a high stress area
  • 4 0
 I would try the seat prior to the handlebar and wheels!
  • 4 0
 Put it in an ebike so it is easier to lift it on the rack.
  • 1 0
 Mag style wheels. The return of bad products from the 1990’s for today continues.

Just waiting for the anodized and light but utterly useless (and very expensive) brakes-then a full build will be possible.
  • 2 0
 I loved those wheels when they were called Spins
www.pinkbike.com/photo/24430338
  • 6 0
 ...hell I loved 'em when they were called 'mags'
  • 2 0
 I find it hard to believe after literally decades of no/little uptake, companies are still making wheels like that...
  • 2 1
 "1,730-gram 29er wheelset with a 36mm rim width and €3,500 price tag"

Doesn't compute - Roval Control SL is 1240g & £2200!
  • 2 0
 Carbon is expensive, so if you want more, you have to pay more!
  • 1 0
 ...and Silt xc carbon are 1336gms at £800. Not sure of the technical advantage of buying these.
  • 3 2
 1 piece stem/ bars scare me. Not so much the fear of it breaking..it's the shape!
  • 2 0
 I've been riding a integrated carbon bar stem now for the past year, it's actually been really good.
I was a sceptic prior to these, and rolled the dice for them on a whim.
Unbranded 6deg up, 9deg back, 40mm effective stem, 760mm width 265g total weight.
Annoying bit is the lack of round bar/stem bolts to mount a light near where you would have the stem.
GoPro headset topcap mount was my only option.
  • 1 0
 @scar4me: I was saying stylistically. It's an angry shape
  • 1 0
 @scar4me: lack of adjustability is game over, next thing you know they’ll have fixed seat posts Wink
  • 1 0
 @sanchofula: tried a few 1 piece bar/stems ranging from Scott to Bontrager and definitely hit or miss in terms of fit
  • 2 0
 @scar4me: You are braver man than me running an "unbranded" one piece carbon setup. I've seen enough scary carbon over the years to only run stuff by known producers. They don't need to be from the big brands but they have to have a good reputation like Farsports or Winspace.
  • 2 3
 Apparently one piece bars "can make sense for riders who count grams" - that must be why there is an extension so you can just add on more than all the weight you just paid to get rid of.
  • 4 0
 If you count grams you count watts too so you need a device to do it with.
  • 2 0
 Uno stem and Extralite bar is under 200g Probably costs less, too.
  • 2 0
 @tidnes ... which would weigh more than a traditional stem and 'bar without an out-front mount Wink Not saying they're for everyone, but they do make sense for some riders. I like them, even if I'm not running one anymore.
  • 2 0
 $3500 Euros and the logos don't line up with the valve hole?
  • 1 0
 We have the plastic BMX star rims back in the 80's - bombproof but WAY too heavy.
  • 1 1
 Will the Xentis wheels come small enough for the Specialized Hotwalk balance bike? Asking for the dentists since I sure can’t afford that
  • 1 0
 Ah yes (que Robin Leach voice) ~ and let us begin another episode of "The lifestyles of the rich and shameless" Big Grin
  • 1 0
 I'm holding out for the carbon ape hanger bars and a 3D printed banana seat.
  • 1 0
 I was surprised they are offering the 26" version of this wheelset. Folks can do what they want with their money but....
  • 1 1
 If you are making money from racing then why not? Weight counts in that world I guess.
  • 1 0
 Is there anything at the show that the average jo can afford?
  • 1 0
 Is anyone actually choosing to buy one piece bar/stem combos?
  • 2 0
 thousands upon thousands are and have been for years.
  • 2 1
 How do you true those carbon wheels? Or they just never need truing?
  • 1 0
 Raleigh Burner mag wheels for my adulthood. F**k growng up
  • 1 0
 Definitely would mount these on a cheap open mold frame
  • 1 0
 For €449.90.it better give me the best orgasms ever
  • 1 0
 Another 1 piece cockpit that isn't lighter than a 2 piece.
  • 1 0
 This is an official list of "things I will never buy"
  • 2 0
 Roadie handlebars
  • 1 0
 Vomit !
  • 1 0
 No, no and no.
  • 2 4
 Finally the truth is out there! Spokes work in COMPRESSION not tension.
  • 2 0
 I’m pretty sure carbon likes tension for it’s optimum ability to take loads though?
  • 3 1
 they work in tension though? think bird spokes+ the fact that spokes are thin metal pieces which would easily buckle
  • 2 5
 No trust in any of those products .
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