2024 Factor Ostro sighted

[hobe]

From the cycling news review:

The carbon fibre used on the down tube is so thin that you can flex it with your hand. You probably shouldn't, because you can damage the layers of fibres, but it shows how far the brand has gone to minimise the weight.


Anyone who has a new ostro confirm whether this is true in general (or indicative of a manufacturing defect in the particular bike being reviewed)?


https://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/fac ... -the-best/

I just tried this on my 58cm frame and didn't notice any significant flex.

[spud]

Never bothered to replicate on mine, and can't be bothered. Can tell you I've done all out sprints at well over 1K watts, and have not felt anything untoward.

[wickedstealthy]

From the cycling news review:

The carbon fibre used on the down tube is so thin that you can flex it with your hand. You probably shouldn't, because you can damage the layers of fibres, but it shows how far the brand has gone to minimise the weight.


Anyone who has a new ostro confirm whether this is true in general (or indicative of a manufacturing defect in the particular bike being reviewed)?


https://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/fac ... -the-best/

A bit of you pinch but I can do the same on my supersix. Likely all new bikes

[wheelbuilder]

Never bothered to replicate on mine, and can't be bothered. Can tell you I've done all out sprints at well over 1K watts, and have not felt anything untoward.

Lol. You seriously can't be bothered to squeeze the down tube? Boss!

[hobe]

I've finished building mine up and taken it for a few longer rides.  Thoughts below:

Build Thoughts

• - I much preferred the internal routing through the 1.5 inch top headset bearing on the Ostro Gravel.  The odd D shape of the fork means that you can only use the supplied headset expander and everything is (even more) squished.
  - As someone else commented I also had to very slightly file the openings on the bottom of the handlebar to get the brake hoses through.
  - I was able to get a very similar position to my Ostro Gravel by adding 20mm of spacers and going to a 110mm stem from 100mm.
  - I feel like the frame manual/documentation leaves a lot to be desired.  Comparing it to the Specialized SL8 manual is a night and day difference.  That being said, the build (aside from the first two points) was pretty straightforward.

I got the 48/58 wheels along with the frame.  The freehub started pretty draggy (i.e. the wheel spins the crank around a bit when you spin it up and let it spin down in the stand).  It's eased up a bit after a few rides but still has more than my I9 Torch gravel wheels.  There is also no manual for the wheels or hubs, so figuring out how to open it up required reaching out to Factor support to get a list of bearing sizes and some tips on the internals.

I really wish Factor would invest in some good technical writers to update their support documents.  It would have made more sense IMHO for Factor to just use DT hubs or at least internals for these hubs.

In 58cm size with a Dura Ace group, Red E1/Sigeyi/DuraAce Rings Crank, 48/58 wheels, 28mm GP5000 TR set up tubeless it's right around 7.55kg.  So not a super lightweight build but considerably lighter than my previous bikes.

First ride impressions:
I took it out on a 80 mile / 4400 ft loop from San Francisco to Point Reyes.  I'm 87kg but felt like the frame had plenty of stiffness for sprinting and accelerating.  It definitely gets up to speed and just wants to keep rolling and was great fun on the roads around NIcasio and back south on highway 1.  No PRs but quite a few 2nd & 3rd fastest times on segments I PRed 10+ years ago so pretty happy with that.  It's a stiff bike but I didn't find the ride too harsh and didn't feel too beat up after the 4.5+ hours in the saddle.

[spud]

agree on build documentation - it could be a lot better.

[benltr]

@kode54 do you still have that Darimo seatpost for sale ?

[tlcyclist]

In 58cm size with a Dura Ace group, Red E1/Sigeyi/DuraAce Rings Crank, 48/58 wheels, 28mm GP5000 TR set up tubeless it's right around 7.55kg.  So not a super lightweight build but considerably lighter than my previous bikes.

My stock Ostro at 54cm with 172.5/52-36/11-30 crank and cassette, two factor bottle cages, dura ace pedals and rear lights came in at 7.2kgs (no power meter or computer mount - which will be installed later).

I also intend to replace the stock F1s with tubeless Conti 5000 S as well.

I've yet to find time to properly ride my new bike, however - from some short kms that I've ridden the thing, it felt fast (coming from a TCR with 11 speed Mech Ultegra).

[wickedstealthy]

Would love to see gelu produce this for the factor
Currently only for sl8 and dogma f.
Primarily he can produce whatever but it depend on the requests he gets ...
Seems that shops ask for the dogma and spec versions

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBLaAQ0u ... FjMmNuMGMx

[macwatt]

Hi

It's decision time tomorrow if I choose Factor Ostro VAM V2 I've choice between Black or Grey UK Edition size 52 with DI2 Ultegra, Black Inc cockpit and 48/58 wheels.

Any short or long term feedback on owning I currently have Tarmac SL7 size 52.

[wickedstealthy]

Hi

It's decision time tomorrow if I choose Factor Ostro VAM V2 I've choice between Black or Grey UK Edition size 52 with DI2 Ultegra, Black Inc cockpit and 48/58 wheels.

Any short or long term feedback on owning I currently have Tarmac SL7 size 52.

For me ? I have now around 1000km on it. Best bike i had. Still have a supersix evo lab71 and had a Colnago v3rs and some others.
Never bothered with spec as almost everyone rides it here

[macwatt]

Hi

It's decision time tomorrow if I choose Factor Ostro VAM V2 I've choice between Black or Grey UK Edition size 52 with DI2 Ultegra, Black Inc cockpit and 48/58 wheels.

Any short or long term feedback on owning I currently have Tarmac SL7 size 52.

For me ? I have now around 1000km on it. Best bike i had. Still have a supersix evo lab71 and had a Colnago v3rs and some others.
Never bothered with spec as almost everyone rides it here

Thanks for the reply

Do you have the Black Inc 48/58 wheels? if so what tyres do you run and what is measured width?

[wickedstealthy]

Hi

It's decision time tomorrow if I choose Factor Ostro VAM V2 I've choice between Black or Grey UK Edition size 52 with DI2 Ultegra, Black Inc cockpit and 48/58 wheels.

Any short or long term feedback on owning I currently have Tarmac SL7 size 52.

For me ? I have now around 1000km on it. Best bike i had. Still have a supersix evo lab71 and had a Colnago v3rs and some others.
Never bothered with spec as almost everyone rides it here

Thanks for the reply

Do you have the Black Inc 48/58 wheels? if so what tyres do you run and what is measured width?

No I have duke Baccara x 56/56 wheels laced with tactic hubs. 1290gr including rim tape.
Dimensions 23/29.6
I run 28mm on them and they are flush with the rims. The rims are 29.6 at the edge.
Likely the same you will get with black inc if I see their dimensions

I'm now fitting carbon ti discs, got bike back and protected with thin xpel ppf.
Ordered a 110 bar now and switch from 100 and see if I can get along. Currently have the shifters a bit down causing a depression just before the shifter. So 110 could better fit

But to give some perspective I'm considering getting a prisma colour frame and swap the lab71

I will soon try my reserves 52/63 and they have 28mm blowing up to 30.7mm
Considering trying out the scope wheels

[Zstar88]

Anyone running a garmin varia on their v2 ostro? If so, what mount do you use/recommend?

[macwatt]

After several weeks deciding which bike to choose finally pulled the trigger on Factor Ostro VAM V2.

I thought all the difficult decisions were passed now it's the which dual power meter for Shimano 12 speed wouid prefer to stick to Shimano chain rings to ensure smooth shifting.

I've emailed a few websites on any suggestions based on the above, 4iiii dual sided Shimano Precision 3 Pro + or Assioma power pedals is what I was thinking for easy solution will see what responses I get back.