Experimental Factor Aero Bicycle Reportedly Outperforms Ostro Model, According to Factor CEO's Hints
In the unfolding bike scene at the Critérium du Dauphiné, the unexpected appearance of a new Factor aero bike stole the show, alongside Tadej Pogačar's aggressive bunch sprint victory. Reminiscing back to an interview with Factor CEO Rob Gitelis about a year ago, the anticipation for a faster bike than their Ostro VAM was quite palpable.
What wasn't anticipated was the departure from conventional road-going bicycles and the adoption of a unique design more akin to velodrome rivals. The new bike, still unnamed, made its debut under Jake Stewart at the Critérium du Dauphiné, quietly emerging without any slick press releases or calculated video reveals—just crude, raw-carbon experimentation out in the open.
Whether it'll hit the market in time for the Tour de France remains uncertain, but the design's audacity is unlikely to be overshadowed.
Track-inspired front end
The bike's front end exhibits a trend towards ever-wilder design. Drawing heavily from Factor's Hanzo time trial rig, it boasts an impressively deep, bayonet-style fork, one of the most striking in the peloton. Just like the Cervélo S5 and the Colnago Y1RS, this end-extending design enhances efficiency. The fork legs themselves are aggressively wide-set and knife-thin, a concept popularized on the track by bikes like the Hope HB.T track bike and the Look P24.
Jake Stewart's configuration also included a Y-shaped bar-stem combo reminiscent of Colnago's Y1Rs—tall twin struts rising from the fork crown, unlike the Cervélo S5's central connecting strut.
Familiar rear triangle
The rear triangle maintains the trend of going all-in on aerodynamics. Continuing the extremes, Stewart's bike features further dropped and widely positioned seat stays, a nearly vertical seat post, and a deeply scalloped seat tube, reminiscent of the S5.
Kitted out with Black Inc 62mm wheels and Continental GP5000 TT tires, the bike carries a full-on watt-chasing specification sheet. With an evident disregard for weight reduction beyond necessity, it's expected that this prototype may exceed the UCI's minimum weight without added ballast.
Is this a bold new aero flagship, a development mule, or an experimental skunkworks project that just happened to get a run at the Dauphiné? Factor declined to comment, keeping the mystery alive.
As we wait patiently, one thing's certain: Rob Gitelis was not pulling our leg. The next Factor bike does indeed look faster, and with its radical design, it's also quite a sight to behold—in the best possible way.
Bonus Insights
- The new Factor aero bike features a deeply scalloped seat tube close to, or even surpassing the fitment found on the Cervélo S5[3][4].
- Dropped and widely positioned seat stays are designed to enhance aerodynamics and are paired with boxy chainstays[3].
- Being unpainted, the bike could maintain a reduced weight, avoiding issues with the UCI's minimum weight requirement [3].
- A definitive description of the bike's deep bayonet-style fork and Y-shaped bar-stem combo usage isn't explicitly mentioned in the available sources.
- This aero-focused race weapon is likely intended for high-speed stages[5].
The new Factor aero bike, reminiscent of the Cervélo S5 and the Colnago Y1RS, showcases a deep bayonet-style fork and Y-shaped bar-stem combo, both designed for enhanced efficiency in road racing. The bike also features dropped and widely positioned seat stays, a nearly vertical seat post, and a deeply scalloped seat tube, which are all aimed at improving aerodynamics in sports.
Despite Factor's reluctance to provide details, it's clear that the next Factor bike promises a faster performance, with its radical design making it an impressive sight on the road racing scene.
