{"id":51786,"date":"2023-07-10T11:00:16","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T09:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=737951"},"modified":"2023-07-10T11:35:51","modified_gmt":"2023-07-10T09:35:51","slug":"new-factor-02-vam-breaks-uci-weight-limit-with-lightweight-wheels-and-ceramicspeed-bearings","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/new-factor-02-vam-breaks-uci-weight-limit-with-lightweight-wheels-and-ceramicspeed-bearings\/","title":{"rendered":"New Factor 02 VAM breaks UCI weight limit with lightweight wheels and CeramicSpeed bearings"},"content":{"rendered":"

“World’s fastest climbing bike” weighs claimed 6.2kg in complete build <\/p>

By Ashley Quinlan\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 10 July 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Factor has officially launched the new O2 VAM, a climbing-focused race bike ridden by the Israel-Premier Tech team.<\/p>\n

First spotted by BikeRadar<\/a> at the Tour de France Grand D\u00e9part, the new bike brings heavily tapered aerofoil tube shapes and a move to an integrated seat mast design in a bid to optimise aerodynamics while saving weight, Factor says.<\/p>\n

Factor says the new O2 VAM effectively splits the aero difference between the previous O2 VAM and the brand\u2019s dedicated aero bike, the Ostro VAM<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A painted size 54cm O2 VAM frame is claimed to weigh just 730g including the new seat mast, with complete bikes set to break the UCI weight limit \u2013 assisted by the new featherweight Black Inc 28\/\/33 wheelset.<\/p>\n

The O2 VAM is available today, priced from \u00a39,900\/$9,899\/\u20ac9,499\/AU$15,990 for complete builds.<\/p>\n

A frameset kit is also available for \u00a36,300\/$6,299\/\u20ac6,049\/AU$9,990, and a frame and wheelset kit complete with new Black Inc 28\/\/33 wheels will cost \u00a38,900\/$8,899\/\u20ac8,599\/AU$14,390.<\/p>\n

\u201cA bike pro riders would use\u201d<\/h2>\n
\""Factor\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The new O2 VAM\u2019s improvements are hoped to make it appeal more to pro riders in races.<\/span><\/figcaption> Rob Perry \/ Peeled Media \/ Factor<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The new O2 VAM has been designed as an all-round race bike and will outright replace the older model, according to Factor.<\/p>\n

The brand\u2019s CEO, Mark Gitelis, says the new bike was therefore developed to be \u201ca bike pro riders would use\u201d.<\/p>\n

\""Simon\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
We first spotted the bike at the 2023 Tour de France Grand D\u00e9part.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Should riders pick it (like Simon Clarke did at the 2023 Tour de France Grand D\u00e9part), they are set to benefit from a claimed 35 per cent average improvement in stiffness and a 12-watt improvement at 48kph compared to the previous O2 VAM, according to Factor.<\/p>\n

The lightest complete bikes weigh a claimed 6.2kg. We weighed Clarke\u2019s complete 52cm bike at 6.925g complete with pedals.<\/p>\n

Unique carbon distribution and slim tubes<\/h2>\n
\""Factor\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The tubes are slimmed down compared to its predecessor.<\/span><\/figcaption> Rob Perry \/ Peeled Media \/ Factor<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The frameset is manufactured using a blend of Toray T1000, pitch fibre, pan fibre, M60J and TeXtreme carbon.<\/p>\n

The brand says each frame size has a unique distribution of these carbon fibres, which is claimed to keep the bike\u2019s handling characteristics the same across the range.<\/p>\n

The climbing bike<\/a> has a heavily slimmed down and tapered top tube. This tapers down to 10mm where it meets the seat tube.<\/p>\n

The seatstays are dropped in a bid to maximise aero performance and stiffness, according to Factor, and feature NACA aero profiling.<\/p>\n

\""Factor\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The O2 VAM comes specced with CeramicSpeed bearing tech as standard.<\/span><\/figcaption> Rob Perry \/ Peeled Media \/ Factor<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The head tube has been narrowed to increase aero efficiency. The headset retains Factor\u2019s 1-1\/4in lower bearing size.<\/p>\n

Despite the narrower head tube, the bike\u2019s accompanying Black Inc integrated cockpit has fully integrated cable routing.<\/p>\n

The headset employs CeramicSpeed\u2019s Solid Lubrication Technology \u2013 much like Tadej Poga\u00e7ar\u2019s Colnago V4RS<\/a> \u2013 which is said to offer near maintenance-free, low friction performance.<\/p>\n

The threaded T47A bottom bracket<\/a> also uses CeramicSpeed\u2019s ceramic bearings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

New seat mast<\/h2>\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

The new O2 VAM features a seat mast design reminiscent of that seen on the Giant TCR SL<\/a>. A sleeve fits over the top of an extended seat tube and is fastened externally.<\/p>\n

Compared to a bike with a conventional seatpost, Factor says a seat mast design can also simplify a bike frame and minimise the amount of material needed, reducing weight. The potential downside is, of course, a lack of adjustability once cut.<\/p>\n

\""Factor\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
There\u2019s no excess to be found on the O2 VAM.<\/span><\/figcaption> Rob Perry \/ Peeled Media \/ Factor<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The seat mast toppers are available in three lengths (largely dependent on frame size) and two setbacks (zero and 25mm). The setback toppers are 10mm longer than the zero-setback models to compensate for the offset clamp.<\/p>\n

The bike has clearance for 700x32mm road bike tyres<\/a>, although Factor says it is aerodynamically optimised for 700x28mm tyres in combination with the new Black Inc 28\/\/33 wheelset.<\/p>\n

Geometry inspired by the Ostro VAM<\/h2>\n

The Factor O2 VAM\u2019s geometry draws inspiration from the Ostro VAM.<\/p>\n

Seven sizes are offered, from 45 to 61cm. A size 54cm bike has a steep 74-degree seat tube angle married to a slightly slacker 72.5-degree head tube.<\/p>\n

The trail is almost identical across the range at 58 to 58.6mm, thanks to the use of four size-dependent fork offsets.<\/p>\n

The stack height is slightly taller than the Ostro VAM, measuring 552mm on a size 54cm frame.<\/p>\n

<\/colgroup> <\/tr> <\/tr> <\/tr> <\/tr> <\/tr> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
\ufeff<\/th>45<\/th>49<\/th>52<\/th>54<\/th>56<\/th>58<\/th>61<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td>502<\/td>514<\/td>535<\/td>552<\/td>574<\/td>597<\/td>611<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td>360<\/td>367<\/td>373<\/td>381<\/td>389<\/td>401<\/td>410<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>109<\/td>117<\/td>134<\/td>154<\/td>172<\/td>196<\/td>211<\/td> <\/tr>
Rear centre<\/b> (mm)<\/td>405<\/td>405<\/td>405<\/td>405<\/td>405<\/td>408<\/td>412<\/td> <\/tr>
Front centre<\/b> (mm)<\/td>574<\/td>573<\/td>573<\/td>587<\/td>587<\/td>608<\/td>621<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td>970<\/td>969<\/td>971<\/td>985<\/td>982<\/td>1,006<\/td>1,022<\/td> <\/tr>
Bottom bracket drop<\/b> (mm)<\/td>72<\/td>72<\/td>72<\/td>70<\/td>70<\/td>70<\/td>72<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>75.5<\/td>74.5<\/td>74<\/td>74<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td>73.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>71.1<\/td>71.7<\/td>72.5<\/td>72.5<\/td>73.3<\/td>73.3<\/td>73.3<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube length (effective)<\/b> (mm)<\/td>493<\/td>510<\/td>527<\/td>539<\/td>557<\/td>578<\/td>591<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>405<\/td>425<\/td>465<\/td>495<\/td>525<\/td>545<\/td>570<\/td> <\/tr>
Fork length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>368<\/td>368<\/td>368<\/td>368<\/td>368<\/td>368<\/td>368<\/td> <\/tr>
Fork offset<\/b> (mm)<\/td>57<\/td>53<\/td>48<\/td>48<\/td>43<\/td>43<\/td>43<\/td> <\/tr>
Trail<\/b> (mm)<\/td>58<\/td>58<\/td>58<\/td>58<\/td>58.6<\/td>58.6<\/td>58.6<\/td> <\/tr>