Last year, when Michael Woods was legendary Puy de Dôme celebrated his first stage win at the Tour de France, the Canadian stole the show from the main protagonists Jonas Vingegaard (then still Jumbo Visma) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates). The professional of the second-class team Israel-Premier Tech needed 4:19:41 hours for the almost 182 kilometre long section with the up to 18 percent steep final climb. Woods' equipment: the Ostro VAM from Factor. A race all-rounder that sits in the portfolio of the British-Taiwanese brand between the aero specialist One and the Lightweight model O2 is located.
But what does Woods' choice of material at the time have to do with the new Ostro model? If you believe Factor's simulation, it has a lot to do with it. After all, Woods would be 2:21 minutes faster with the second generation of the competition all-rounder than he was when he won the day last summer. Factor cites improved aerodynamics and a lower weight compared to its predecessor as the reasons for this. "Same riding characteristics, better performance - that was our goal," says chief engineer Graham Shrive, who was in charge of the development of the S5 aero racer at Cervélo before joining Factor.
Factor Ostro VAM: The most important facts
- Frame weight: 820 grams (size 54)
- Fork weight: 463 grams (size 54)
- Aerodynamics: 7 watts faster than its predecessor
- Impellers: New Black Inc. 48/58 with carbon spokes
- Frame sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
- Prices: 8849 to 11049 Euro
The improved performance is primarily due to the aero performance. According to the manufacturer, the new Ostro VAM is seven watts faster than its predecessor. Factor did not provide any absolute figures at the time of the presentation, a test bike for a TOUR wind tunnel test was not available at the time. For comparison: Cannondale currently offer the fastest race all-rounder with the SuperSix Evo (207 watts) and Van Rysel with the RCR (207 Watt).
New tube shapes thanks to UCI rule change
The Ostro VAM benefits aerodynamically from the cancellation of the 3:1 rule by the UCI, which strictly regulated the dimensions of the tube cross-sections until the end of 2020. However, the aero tuning is limited, with no flat frame shapes. "In our eyes, the competition has pretty ugly bikes that perform well in the wind tunnel, but we didn't want that," says Shrive with a wink. The seat tube and seat post are slightly longer and, according to Factor, the carbon seat post is 36 per cent narrower than on the old model. In addition, the filigree fork blades and the head tube in hourglass design should offer less surface area for the wind to attack.
New full carbon wheels from the in-house brand Black Inc. round off the concept. The set with different rim heights (front: 48 millimetres, rear: 58 millimetres) is optimised for 28 millimetre tyres, should be particularly strong in crosswinds and generate more propulsion than a Cervélo S5 or Cervélo S5 thanks to the sailing effect. Specialised Tarmac SL8. According to Factor, these two wheels were used for comparative tests in the wind tunnel. This was the development department's response to a point of criticism from the pros around Woods, who had criticised the crosswind susceptibility of the old Black Inc. wheels.
A positive side effect of the 1270 gram light wheelset with blade spokes: they are said to be 219 grams lighter than the Black Inc. 45 and thus contribute significantly to the weight reduction of the complete bike. The frame set in size 54 weighs 1283 grams, whereby the frame is 45 grams lighter than its predecessor. Depending on the drivetrain, complete bikes around the UCI weight limit of 6.8 kilograms can be realised.
Equipment and price
Although the so-called launch book for the Ostro VAM is 34 pages thick, Factor does not provide any information on the geometry. Shrive's statement on the consistent driving characteristics at least suggests that the dimensions will change little. The first generation had an STR ratio of 1.44. This clearly distinguishes the competition all-rounder from the O2 VAM which, with its upright riding position (STR: 1.57), would also pass for a marathon model.
The price details, on the other hand, can already be found in the press kit - and unfortunately, as with many current professional bikes, they are quite something. The "cheapest" version with Shimano Ultegra already costs 8849 euros. The top version with SRAM Red AXS and power meter is listed for 11049. There are no variants with mechanical drivetrains or they can be assembled by the customer. The frame set is available for 5799 euros, including the wheels from Black Inc. for 8599 euros.
- Shimano Ultegra Di2: 8849 Euro
- SRAM Force AXS (incl. power meter): 9049 euros
- SRAM Red AXS: 10699 Euro
- Shimano Dura-Ace Di2: 10749 Euro
- SRAM Red AXS (incl. power meter): 11049 euros
Interesting detail: While Factor shows all three colour variants and the equipment variants with Ultegra Di2, Dura-Ace Di2 and Force AXS at the presentation, a product image with the top groupset from SRAM is missing. This reinforces the indications that the component specialist from the USA is about to update the Red AXS. At the beginning of the year, the first images of the presumed new groupset were already circulating on X, formerly Twitter.
Julian Schultz
Editor
