FSA Metropolis Group

Full Speed Ahead has been quietly filling in their Metropolis urban parts line, expanding to include a seatpost and stem along with the bars and much awaited 2-speed transmission cranks. The $50 threadless stem with a built in set of spacers lends a finished look to an urban bike, giving lots of rise without the look of a stack of spacers, similar to the style of stems gaining popularity on some handbuilt bikes for a few years now. It is not for extending the height of a short threadless steerer, as it requires the full stack height of the stem clamp in steerer length. We reviewed the Metropolis bars a few months back and not much has changed for 2011, with it available in black or silver, also for about $50.

The real gem of the group is still to be released to the public, but from the looks of the rideable prototype I had the chance to ride on a recent visit, the Metropolis isn’t far from people’s hands. A quick spin on a 2-mile road loop around the office allowed a few shifts of the setup while coasting, stopped or under usual commuting type load and it all happened easily and surprisingly quietly. The gearing is equivalent to a 28/45, with the smaller of the two being the direct drive, most efficient ratio. The design is compatible with standard bottom bracket shells, requiring a fixed chainstay and downtube cable mounts, and should end up compatible with most any index shifter. It should be available some time this year for $300, and is a definite commuter rated product—not for mountain bikes, though some will surely try it.