Factor Ostro
Moderator: robbosmans
-
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2021 3:33 pm
Just placed an order for my Ostro in flicker with ultegra DI2! Looking forward to delivery.
I got some questions though.. Would the BB and casette be greased up before they are installed on the bike when factor ships it out?
Im asking this because i plan to build it up by myself and it'll be my first build ever
I got some questions though.. Would the BB and casette be greased up before they are installed on the bike when factor ships it out?
Im asking this because i plan to build it up by myself and it'll be my first build ever
Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓ Broad Selection ✓ Worldwide Delivery ✓
www.starbike.com
Factor have previously implied delays were down to their factory being such a long way away and remote (despite owning it and managing it) in Taiwan ... but from what I've heard they don't actually make anything at the Taiwan place - it's just painting and testing and design. Everything made in China by a third party and then shipped in ... hence why all the factory tours show them showing off test jigs and paint rooms, but no production facitlities. So an Orbea-like setup, except it's China -> TW, rather than China -> PT.FabianV wrote: ↑Tue Jun 15, 2021 1:14 pmThe Dutch distributor isn't much better. The LBS ordered a rolling chasis because a full bike would take longer and a frame was in stock. He would get the group set form a different supplier. Both are not in yet. I still love the bike, but i'm getting a bit disappointed by now.ericlambi wrote: ↑Tue Jun 15, 2021 1:16 amI ordered a launch full bike in Sept through my LBS. Today I got the frame set, in the wrong color, with the wrong hub body on the rear wheel. They'd told the shop in March they couldn't deliver a full bike but could ship the rolling frame set immediately, so the shop paid them for it. I guess it took ~3mo to get here, yeah right. Factor has been a huge disappointment this whole way. I get the sense the trouble point is the US distributor, but hard to say.
Wrong hub and wrong color is even worse. It almost sounds like someone has your bike and you have got his.
Possible I could have heard wrong, but I suspect this rather complicated and convoluted setup is causing them issues.
Yeah, I think you heard wrong.RDY wrote: ↑Sat Jun 19, 2021 1:59 pm... but from what I've heard they don't actually make anything at the Taiwan place - it's just painting and testing and design. Everything made in China by a third party and then shipped in ...
Possible I could have heard wrong, but I suspect this rather complicated and convoluted setup is causing them issues.
Can you show me a production line in any of the many videos produced at their Taichung plant?tomato wrote: ↑Sun Jun 20, 2021 4:19 amYeah, I think you heard wrong.RDY wrote: ↑Sat Jun 19, 2021 1:59 pm... but from what I've heard they don't actually make anything at the Taiwan place - it's just painting and testing and design. Everything made in China by a third party and then shipped in ...
Possible I could have heard wrong, but I suspect this rather complicated and convoluted setup is causing them issues.
P.S. Gitelis himself has admitted (NB not to Western press!) that 60% of their frames are made in China. So I suspect you're labouring under the marketing induced delusion unfortunately. Because I'm pretty confident in the industry source I heard from, and Gitelis admitting at least some of the ruse to a Taiwanese paper - see below.
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/a ... 2003748139
Maybe 40% are made in Taichung as he claims ... but I have doubts about that too. Even at 60/40, it's a hugely different picture to the one painted via Western bike media.
In fairness to Factor, they've been quite open about their manufacturing in Xiamen - Rob Gitelis gave an interview in 2019 explaining it all........
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/6012 ... iwanese-hq
Edit: In my view, equating "country of origin" (whatever that might mean) with "quality" (whatever that may mean) doesn't really get anyone anywhere....and I don't even own a Factor.
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/6012 ... iwanese-hq
Edit: In my view, equating "country of origin" (whatever that might mean) with "quality" (whatever that may mean) doesn't really get anyone anywhere....and I don't even own a Factor.
The frames are not made by a third party in China -- Factor owns the factory.RDY wrote: ↑Sun Jun 20, 2021 2:38 pmP.S. Gitelis himself has admitted (NB not to Western press!) that 60% of their frames are made in China. So I suspect you're labouring under the marketing induced delusion unfortunately. Because I'm pretty confident in the industry source I heard from, and Gitelis admitting at least some of the ruse to a Taiwanese paper - see below.tomato wrote: ↑Sun Jun 20, 2021 4:19 amYeah, I think you heard wrong.RDY wrote: ↑Sat Jun 19, 2021 1:59 pm... but from what I've heard they don't actually make anything at the Taiwan place - it's just painting and testing and design. Everything made in China by a third party and then shipped in ...
Possible I could have heard wrong, but I suspect this rather complicated and convoluted setup is causing them issues.
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/a ... 2003748139
Maybe 40% are made in Taichung as he claims ... but I have doubts about that too. Even at 60/40, it's a hugely different picture to the one painted via Western bike media.
- cyclespeed
- Posts: 1126
- Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 8:45 am
Some interesting discussions on the pros and cons of the O2, Ostro and One.
Factor likes to market them as the climber, the all rounder and the aero. But IMO the Ostro kind of makes the One somewhat redundant; they have a very similar aero design, and yet the Ostro is significantly lighter. To my mind, the Ostro is actually a One Mark 2, but they still sell the One because they have the moulds and hey, if people buy them why not?
The Ostro even nips at the heels of the O2, because it's certainly no slouch going uphill, and any few seconds lost to the O2 on a steep climb should be quickly recovered on the descent or flats.
Factor likes to market them as the climber, the all rounder and the aero. But IMO the Ostro kind of makes the One somewhat redundant; they have a very similar aero design, and yet the Ostro is significantly lighter. To my mind, the Ostro is actually a One Mark 2, but they still sell the One because they have the moulds and hey, if people buy them why not?
The Ostro even nips at the heels of the O2, because it's certainly no slouch going uphill, and any few seconds lost to the O2 on a steep climb should be quickly recovered on the descent or flats.
Got my Ostro built ... a little bit of a frankenbuild to get everything I needed ... mix of dura ace and ultegra, roval clx wheels ... the first ride gets a thumbs up though ... did 106mi w/ 7k climbing, average speed more similar to if I'd ridden my triathlon bike than a road bike.
I am looking at getting the bike repainted though, just can't get excited about this Sicilian Peach. My wife has even suggested it's a good idea when I mentioned I was thinking about it, ha.
Of note: bike was a shade under 16lbs fully built (cages, pedals, 52cm, gp5000 TL 28). Think eventually will get sub 15, much lower would take some real effort. Hopefully Darimo will make a seatpost for it relatively soon.
I am looking at getting the bike repainted though, just can't get excited about this Sicilian Peach. My wife has even suggested it's a good idea when I mentioned I was thinking about it, ha.
Of note: bike was a shade under 16lbs fully built (cages, pedals, 52cm, gp5000 TL 28). Think eventually will get sub 15, much lower would take some real effort. Hopefully Darimo will make a seatpost for it relatively soon.
Nice, I think that's a good weight considering the components you have it on, pedals etc. as well. Peach paint not as heavy as I thought, care to share some photos of it all built up?ericlambi wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 3:05 pmGot my Ostro built ... a little bit of a frankenbuild to get everything I needed ... mix of dura ace and ultegra, roval clx wheels ... the first ride gets a thumbs up though ... did 106mi w/ 7k climbing, average speed more similar to if I'd ridden my triathlon bike than a road bike.
I am looking at getting the bike repainted though, just can't get excited about this Sicilian Peach. My wife has even suggested it's a good idea when I mentioned I was thinking about it, ha.
Of note: bike was a shade under 16lbs fully built (cages, pedals, 52cm, gp5000 TL 28). Think eventually will get sub 15, much lower would take some real effort. Hopefully Darimo will make a seatpost for it relatively soon.
Anyone else having problems with the headset not staying tight?
I have the updated plug, but the issue is still here for me. LBS is has agreed to contact Factor about this but the same LBS currently appeared to have moved away from this planet..
I wondering how much space you guys have between the top of the fork and the topcap on the stem. Primary suspect (from my side) is that the fork is still too long
I have the updated plug, but the issue is still here for me. LBS is has agreed to contact Factor about this but the same LBS currently appeared to have moved away from this planet..
I wondering how much space you guys have between the top of the fork and the topcap on the stem. Primary suspect (from my side) is that the fork is still too long
Fuctor Ostro - Campy EPS SR Disc 12sp/P2M NG
Ridley R12 - Campy EPS Record 11sp/P2M NGEco
Thrust something - Campy Chorus/Record mechanical/P2M NGEco
No, that's not a typo
Ridley R12 - Campy EPS Record 11sp/P2M NGEco
Thrust something - Campy Chorus/Record mechanical/P2M NGEco
No, that's not a typo
I just emailed Factor and they said everything is made in Taiwan.tomato wrote: ↑Sun Jun 20, 2021 4:22 pmThe frames are not made by a third party in China -- Factor owns the factory.RDY wrote: ↑Sun Jun 20, 2021 2:38 pmP.S. Gitelis himself has admitted (NB not to Western press!) that 60% of their frames are made in China. So I suspect you're labouring under the marketing induced delusion unfortunately. Because I'm pretty confident in the industry source I heard from, and Gitelis admitting at least some of the ruse to a Taiwanese paper - see below.tomato wrote: ↑Sun Jun 20, 2021 4:19 amYeah, I think you heard wrong.RDY wrote: ↑Sat Jun 19, 2021 1:59 pm... but from what I've heard they don't actually make anything at the Taiwan place - it's just painting and testing and design. Everything made in China by a third party and then shipped in ...
Possible I could have heard wrong, but I suspect this rather complicated and convoluted setup is causing them issues.
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/a ... 2003748139
Maybe 40% are made in Taichung as he claims ... but I have doubts about that too. Even at 60/40, it's a hugely different picture to the one painted via Western bike media.
-
- Posts: 324
- Joined: Thu Oct 24, 2019 5:33 pm
I purchased a ONE a few years ago (rim brake option). My build is about the same weight as the Ostro with disc brakes, so in my opinion is still the better option given the ONE has superior aero performance (and I dislike disc brakes on road frames).cyclespeed wrote: ↑Mon Jun 21, 2021 9:27 amSome interesting discussions on the pros and cons of the O2, Ostro and One.
Factor likes to market them as the climber, the all rounder and the aero. But IMO the Ostro kind of makes the One somewhat redundant; they have a very similar aero design, and yet the Ostro is significantly lighter. To my mind, the Ostro is actually a One Mark 2, but they still sell the One because they have the moulds and hey, if people buy them why not?
The Ostro even nips at the heels of the O2, because it's certainly no slouch going uphill, and any few seconds lost to the O2 on a steep climb should be quickly recovered on the descent or flats.
Why does the Ostro have a spacer on top of the stem, even on a lot of the ISN riders images/bikes. Is it because the (older) faulty steerer plug?
And what is the verdict on the integrated barstem, too flexy or not?
And what is the verdict on the integrated barstem, too flexy or not?
Cannondale SystemSix R8170
Trek Checkpoint SL5 MY2022
Trek Checkpoint SL5 MY2022
I just took delivery of a frameset. The version I received does not use a compression plug, but instead has a threaded insert bonded into the steerer that extends the full length of the steerer. The instructions on the website say the steerer should be cut 3mm below the top of the stem, so if the directions are followed, there won't be a spacer above the stem. I am optimistic that the changes will solve the problem of the headset coming loose.
Factor Ostro
Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓ Broad Selection ✓ Worldwide Delivery ✓
www.starbike.com
Yes, the O2 VAM disc now uses the same system.fruitfly wrote: ↑Fri Jul 23, 2021 3:21 pmI just took delivery of a frameset. The version I received does not use a compression plug, but instead has a threaded insert bonded into the steerer that extends the full length of the steerer. The instructions on the website say the steerer should be cut 3mm below the top of the stem, so if the directions are followed, there won't be a spacer above the stem. I am optimistic that the changes will solve the problem of the headset coming loose.
As a result, though, the fork of even the O2 weighs a ton - 360+ g when cut.
But I guess that's still a good thing, at least the risk of a breaking steerer is minimized.
Minimum bike categories required in the stable:
Aero bike | GC bike | GC rim bike | Climbing bike | Climbing rim bike | Classics bike | Gravel bike | TT bike | Indoors bike
Aero bike | GC bike | GC rim bike | Climbing bike | Climbing rim bike | Classics bike | Gravel bike | TT bike | Indoors bike