I'm looking to get a new set of handlebars after checking out a pair of FSA K-Force Compact Carbon ones at a bike store while waiting for a friend to make a purchase. My bike came shod with FSA Wing style Ergo bars that I never quite got comfortable with. I had problems staying in the drops because they're so deep and I mostly found myself sprinting using the hoods, which didn’t always make for the best power transfer.

I instantly liked the more compact design of the K-Force Compact with the shallower 125mm height and longer bottom tubes. I've looked on the web for more bars with that shape and have found 2 others that I like.

They all seem capable, but I was wondering if some people have experience with any or all 3 (or know people that have) and can voice their opinions on them. As a bonus less weight would be nice, but not at the cost of reliability and stiffness, especially for hard sprints. I'm looking for a clamp size of 31.8 and overall size of 44cm and will be using my Campy hoods.

FSA K-Force Compact Carbon
weight: 220g
drop: 125mm

Easton EC90 SLX3
weight: 200g
drop: 130mm

3ttt Ergoslim Team Carbon
weight: 192g
drop: 128mm

Here's another I found but the drop is deeper:

Modolo Curvissima KX Carbon
weight: 210g
drop: 143mm

I have an EC90 SLX, it's great.

do not get the modolo.. due to some other members reviews.. it looks like it fails around the clamp area.. and they are terrible in customer support and replacing you bar if it does fail... beware..

do not get the modolo.. due to some other members reviews.. it looks like it fails around the clamp area.. and they are terrible in customer support and replacing you bar if it does fail... beware..

Yeah, I just read a few reviews here on it, scary. Thanks.

I don' t have it,but this are specifications.

Yes there are carbon bars that are cheaper and maybe slightly lighter. But are they the state-of-the-art ergonomic jewel the B2 is? We have pushed carbon construction to its creative limits on this one.
With the flat aero top section, thumb rests, and finger wells optimized to impart positive grip and comfort to a wide range of hand sizes, you have the 'Lexus' of carbon road bars.

High modulus carbon fiber composite with extremely high fatigue strength
Excellent vibration damping
Comfortable shape for less fatigue
31.8 OS center
225 grams
85mm reach, 105mm drop
40, 42, 44, 46cm

I have a pair of the FSA K Force compact bars and love them. FSA does a great job quality wise on their carbon bars. For me the 79mm reach was just as important as the shallow drop. It allowed me to move from a 90mm stem to a 100mm stem. I had the SLXs and they are nice but the reach is quite a bit longer.

My hands have just never gotten along with Ergo bends. The hand positions in the ergo hooks are pre determined, but in the curved hooks one can move the hands up and down the hooks wherever you like. The shallow drop allows longer turns in the hooks; I've no problems riding nearly all of an hour down in the hooks. I also like the flat transition from the bar top to the Ergo levers.

One of the reasons I decided to try the FSA is because it wasn't stupid light. This FSA Compact actually weighed in at the advertised spec, rather unusual with FSA components. This one has over 6k miles on it without complaint....

For those who might prefer a similar shape in an alloy bar, I recommend the Bontrager VR alloy. The tails of the hooks aren't quite as long as those of the FSA; otherwise quite similar for another 15 grams....

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=101265&d=1189305630

The FSA compact will place the hoods 2cm closer in width than whatever bar size you buy. The bend does not work very well with Campy ergo levers. By the time you get the brake hoods up high, the band clamp is located well above the "grippy" area intended to help hold the levers in place and the brake lever will be a long way from the hook section (see the picture posted by Bixe). I have a method to modify the ergo lever body and reduce the reach to the brake lever; otherwise these bars would have been an immediate reject. I used them for most of this season, but mine are coming off soon, to be replaced with the Easton EC-90 bars that I used before.

I haven't tried the new EC-90SLX, but it's got an odd top bend behind the brake hood, similar to what was used a number of years ago on the orginal EC-90. I guess the idea is more arm clearance in the hooks, but it make for little bar behind the brake hood to rest your hand.

I've also been trying to research stems and didn't realize (as with handlebars) the different sizes and lengths (and weight) plus bolt patterns (2, 4).

Mine came with an ORA stem, 31.8mm clamp, and I would assume since my fork is 1" (not 1 1/8") that it came with a shim kit to fit the 1" tube. I believe the stem length is 110mm.

What I dont' know is the weight of the stem and the angle.

Hopefully the pictures will help:

...The bend does not work very well with Campy ergo levers. By the time you get the brake hoods up high, the band clamp is located well above the "grippy" area intended to help hold the levers in place and the brake lever will be a long way from the hook section...
Excellent point. If your hands aren’t long, there will be reach problems. During the initial setup (involving several laps in the Park with a pocket full of wrenches), I found that moving the levers a small amount up and down the sharp bends at the top of the hooks resulted in dramatic differences in reach. In my case, while I prefer the levers at a particular angle, I have a much wider tolerance regarding bar rotation. Keep in mind that Ergo levers were originally designed to fit best (for most riders) on shallow Italian bends.

These levers are indeed clamped above the grip applied by FSA, but a self applied alternative at your preferred position works out better anyway (as on any bar).

The larger point addressed here quite well by C-40 is that if you are particular about lever position and bar rotation, you may have difficulty finding your sweet spot with this bar.

do not get the modolo.. due to some other members reviews.. it looks like it fails around the clamp area.. and they are terrible in customer support and replacing you bar if it does fail... beware..

The Modolo bars are excellent bars. I know two other people riding them.

Roadbike Review, uhm, reviews aren't worth a whole lot.

Another bar I spotted last nght with a similar shape is the Bontrager XXX Lite VR:

http://www.bontrager.com/Road/Components/Handlebars/21267.php

The interesting thing is that it's very light (172g). But how do I know it doesn't require the similarly high priced Race XXX Lite OS stem?

I suggest you check out the Ritchey WCS Evolution bars. Nice smooth curve, short reach and drop and a very nice flair at the tops to put them right where I want them.

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Handlebar+WCS+Evolution+Carbon+OS&vendorCode=RITCHEY&major=1&minor=15

I went with the Reynolds Ouzo Pro Round. (not being made for 2008 by reynolds due to slow sales, but my 42 C-C weighed in a 201g, claimed 190g). Universal cycles or any QBP/BTI warehouse still has stock.

Another bar I spotted last nght with a similar shape is the Bontrager XXX Lite VR:

http://www.bontrager.com/Road/Components/Handlebars/21267.php

The interesting thing is that it's very light (172g). But how do I know it doesn't require the similarly high priced Race XXX Lite OS stem?
No, it doesn't require the Bontrager stem.

Be aware that the ends of the hooks aren't as long as the FSA (compare w/ below) and the turns from the tops around towards the hoods are very sharp indeed.

Most significant is that the weight is on the stupid light side for my tastes; it is for flyweight riders.

As mentioned above (and pictured below), the Race Lite OS VR (http://www.bontrager.com/Road/Components/Handlebars/5713.php) is alloy version of the Bontrager XXX bar with a larger radius top bend. I've several of the Race Lite OS VR bars and every one of them is within a gram of 234 grams (42 C-C size) with the same reach and drop. And you won't have to make payments on it either....

Race Lite OS VR alloy on another two of my rides....
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=63598&d=1156650523

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=81652&d=1173756375