{"id":42352,"date":"2022-10-05T15:00:23","date_gmt":"2022-10-05T13:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=699092"},"modified":"2022-10-05T15:16:14","modified_gmt":"2022-10-05T13:16:14","slug":"bike-of-the-week-the-factor-ostro-gravel-is-designed-for-go-fast-gravel-racing","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/bike-of-the-week-the-factor-ostro-gravel-is-designed-for-go-fast-gravel-racing\/","title":{"rendered":"Bike of the Week | The Factor Ostro Gravel is designed for go-fast gravel racing"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Oscar Huckle\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 05 October 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Hot off the heels of its launch last month, the new Factor Ostro Gravel<\/a> has arrived at BikeRadar HQ for testing.<\/p>\n

The Ostro Gravel is aimed squarely at gravel racing<\/a>, featuring aero-optimised tubes to make it competitive at races such as Unbound<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Factor says the Ostro Gravel takes the \u201cwin-everywhere mentality\u201d from the brand\u2019s Ostro VAM<\/a> road bike and, in keeping with that WorldTour-proven machine, has been \u201cdeveloped to dominate its category with incredible aero, superior handling, high stiffness and low weight\u201d.<\/p>\n

Bold claims indeed but, before we deliver our verdict in a review, let\u2019s\u00a0take a look at this decidedly premium build.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s all in the frame details\u2026<\/h2>\n
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The Ostro Gravel is Factor\u2019s take on a gravel race bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Factor says the Ostro Gravel uses a blend of TeXtreme, Toray and Nippon Graphite carbon fibres \u2013 a blend that, according to the brand, balances lightweight with \u201ca strengthened layup\u201d for gravel riding<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The brand claims a 54cm frame in \u2018Naked Grunge\u2019 (a carbon weave finish with white graphics) weighs 900g. It\u2019s only compatible with electronic groupsets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The head tube is certainly distinctive.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Paired with Factor\u2019s Ostro Wide Stance Fork, the head tube is particularly striking and, along with the cockpit, contributes to a claimed 9-watt drag reduction at the front end of the bike.<\/p>\n

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The fork and head tube junction are aero-profiled.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

In terms of mounts, there\u2019s the option for a bento box on the top tube, as well as mounts on the underside of the down tube near the bottom bracket junction for a third bottle or tool keg.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s it for mounting points. If you need to take more luggage with you, you\u2019ll have to strap on bikepacking bags<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The seatstays are decidedly dropped.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Factor says the Ostro Gravel can accept up to 700c x 45mm gravel bike tyres<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not as wide as the clearance on some gravel bikes<\/a>, with progressive machines aimed at bikepacking<\/a> or more extreme riding having space for tyres upwards of 700 x 50mm, though it reflects Factor\u2019s intentions for the bike.<\/p>\n

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CeramicSpeed\u2019s SLT headset bearings are claimed to be unkillable.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

As you\u2019d expect from the brand, the front end is integrated, complete with CeramicSpeed SLT headset bearings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In theory, you shouldn\u2019t need to worry about changing those and having to undo the brake lines.<\/p>\n

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The bottom bracket also comes from CeramicSpeed.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

CeramicSpeed also supplies the bottom bracket, with a hint of blue on this otherwise stealthy machine.<\/p>\n

The bottom bracket standard<\/a> is T47A (T47 Asymmetrical), which uses the same threaded design as T47, only with the wider and oversized interface of BBRight.<\/p>\n

Cerv\u00e9lo pioneered the BBRight standard and Factor was one of a few brands to also employ it. In terms of fitting your chosen crankset<\/a>, the T47A means you\u2019ll need to run a few spacers on the driveside.<\/p>\n

A tasty spec list<\/h2>\n
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A premium build from a premium brand.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Our Factor Ostro Gravel, in its sparkly \u2018Naked Grunge\u2019 matte paint job, is specced with a SRAM Red eTap AXS XPLR<\/a> groupset. There is also a \u2018White Grunge\u2019 paint scheme available.<\/p>\n

It retails for \u00a38,430 \/ \u20ac9,710 \/ $9,799 and the range starts from \u00a37,060 \/ \u20ac8,120 \/ $8,199 for a SRAM Force eTap AXS XPLR build.<\/p>\n

There is also a \u2018premium package frameset\u2019 option. This includes the frame, fork, bar\/stem and a CeramicSpeed headset and bottom bracket, for \u00a34,730 \/ \u20ac5,450 \/ $5,499.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
It\u2019s all top-of-the-range SRAM Red eTap AXS XPLR.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

There are no deviations to the groupset on this halo build and our size medium sample features a 172.5mm crank length<\/a>, a tall 44-tooth chainring and a 10-44t cassette<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This model comes equipped with a Black Inc Thirty-Four carbon wheelset, claimed to weigh in at 1,489g. The 34mm-deep rims, with a 25mm internal width, are built around Black Inc\u2019s own hubs, which in turn feature CeramicSpeed bearings.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
These Goodyear tyes should \u2018connect\u2019 you to the trail.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The wheels come set up tubeless out of the box with Goodyear Connector gravel tyres in a 700 x 40mm width \u2013 generally considered a sensible width for all-round gravel riding.<\/p>\n

The finishing kit is also courtesy of Black Inc, with an integrated bar-stem wrapped in Factor\u2019s own bar tape and, on our test bike, an out-front Garmin mount.<\/p>\n

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Our test bike has a 100mm stem length and 40cm bar width.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The HB02 carbon bar-stem features aero-profiled flattened tops and, on this 56cm test bike, has a 100mm stem length and 40cm bar width.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
There\u2019s a power meter, too.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The one-piece HB02 bar-stem is available in 20mm width increments (36cm to 44cm) and stem lengths starting from 80mm, up to 140mm.<\/p>\n

However, if you want to run your preferred handlebar and stem combo, Factor says you are free to as the steerer tube is round.<\/p>\n

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A Selle Italia saddle sits atop Factor\u2019s own seatpost.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A proprietary non-round aero seatpost slots into the seat tube and a Selle Italia Model X BB FEC with alloy rails saddle fits on top.<\/p>\n

All-in, our 56cm bike weighs in at 8.12kg without pedals.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re currently testing the Factor Ostro Gravel, so you can expect a full review on BikeRadar soon.<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n

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