{"id":51595,"date":"2023-06-29T13:31:26","date_gmt":"2023-06-29T11:31:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=737032"},"modified":"2023-06-29T13:35:42","modified_gmt":"2023-06-29T11:35:42","slug":"new-factor-o2-vam-spotted-at-2023-tour-de-france","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/new-factor-o2-vam-spotted-at-2023-tour-de-france\/","title":{"rendered":"New Factor O2 VAM spotted at 2023 Tour de France"},"content":{"rendered":"

Israel-Premier Tech\u2019s Simon Clarke riding updated race bike with new Black Inc wheels <\/p>

By Stan Portus\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 29 June 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Factor has teased a new version of its lightweight climbing bike, the O2 VAM.<\/p>\n

BikeRadar is currently in Bilbao ahead of the 2023 Tour de France<\/a> Grand D\u00e9part this Saturday. The new O2 VAM we spotted will be ridden by Israel-Premier Tech\u2019s Simon Clarke.<\/p>\n

The new bike has been given the aero-yet-lightweight treatment with new tube shaping, dropped seatstays and low weight on the BikeRadar scales.<\/p>\n

Like a Giant TCR?<\/h2>\n
\""Simon\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Simon Clarke\u2019s Factor O2 VAM.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The previous Factor O2 VAM<\/a> had seatstays that met the seat tube near the seatpost clamp, but the new bike has dropped stays, giving it a profile that\u2019s very similar to the current-generation Giant TCR.<\/p>\n

In fact, the O2 VAM\u2019s new integrated seat mast means its silhouette is similar to a Giant TCR SL.<\/p>\n

\""The\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Factor O2 VAM has an integrated seat mast.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

These are often used in order to reduce the weight of a bike, because they do away with the excess material of a seatpost and even the need for a wedge clamp, in some instances.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, the new O2 VAM has a thin, tapered top tube, which appears to drop at a slightly more extreme angle than the outgoing O2 VAM, furthering its similarities with the TCR.<\/p>\n

\""Simon\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The seat tube has a D-shaped profile.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

However, unlike the Giant TCR, Factor\u2019s new climbing bike<\/a> has all its cables routed internally, which appears to be one of several features intended to improve the bike\u2019s aerodynamics.<\/p>\n

The frame looks to have been designed to reduce aerodynamic drag, with a refined front end and a D-shaped seat tube replacing the round seat tube on the outgoing model.<\/p>\n

How much does the new Factor O2 VAM weigh?<\/h2>\n
\""Scales\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Our scales show a weight of 6.925kg for the Factor O2 VAM.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

On BikeRadar\u2019s scales, Simon Clarke\u2019s new Factor O2 VAM weighs 6.925kg, which is just over the UCI weight limit of 6.8kg.<\/p>\n

The low weight is in part due to Clarke himself, who is 175cm tall and rides a 52cm frame, which is sure to keep the bike\u2019s overall weight down.<\/p>\n

\""Simon\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The seat tube has a UCI sticker.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

We\u2019re not sure if this bike is completely ready for the Tour de France just yet, but Clarke appears to be running a single bottle cage<\/a>, which will also keep the weight down by a few grams.<\/p>\n

Clarke also has an FSA crankset<\/a> with carbon crank arms, which will also save weight compared to Shimano\u2019s alloy cranks.<\/p>\n

New wheels, to boot<\/h2>\n
\""The\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The new Black Inc wheels have a 28mm-deep front rim and a 33mm-deep rear rim.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Clarke\u2019s bike is also fitted with a set of new Black Inc wheels.<\/p>\n

Black Inc is Factor\u2019s in-house component brand and, while our team on the ground hasn\u2019t weighed the wheels separately, they will likely be featherweight from the visual cues.<\/p>\n

The carbon road bike wheels<\/a> have carbon spokes and the front wheel has a shallow 28mm rim and a 33mm-deep rim at the rear.<\/p>\n

\""Calipers\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Calipers showing 30.6mm tyre width on the Factor O2 VAM.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The wheels are fitted with 28mm-wide Continental GP5000 S TR<\/a> tyres. Mounted on the Black Inc wheels, the tyres measure up to 30.6mm wide, suggesting a generous internal rim width<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The tyres<\/a> have also been given the permanent marker treatment, with the markings on the tyre wall scribbled out.<\/p>\n

\""Black\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The tyres have been given the permanent marker treatment.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Teams often do this when a product they\u2019re using has not yet been released, or when a component isn\u2019t from one of its sponsors. In this case, it\u2019s the latter with Israel-Premier Tech\u2019s official tyre sponsor being Maxxis.<\/p>\n

Simon Clarke\u2019s cockpit<\/h2>\n
\""Simon\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Simon Clarke has a lengthy stem.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Simon Clarke rides a small frame size, but clearly favours a stretched-out position.<\/p>\n

The one-piece Black Inc cockpit on his Factor O2 VAM has a 150mm-long stem section.<\/p>\n

\""Simon\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Simon Clarke\u2019s Factor O2 VAM has his in-turned shifters.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The handlebar is 38cm wide and Clarke has his shifters turned inwards, which is something of a trend among pro riders looking to eke out every aerodynamic saving.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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