Factor launches its new Ostro VAM, its most aerodynamic bike to date

The evolution of aerolight bicycles seems to have no end. The new Factor Ostro VAM arrives on the market daring to compare itself with the Specialized Tarmac SL8, claiming to improve in aerodynamics and with a reduction in the weight of its frame that leaves it at the limit of 6.8 kg set by the UCI.

The Factor Ostro VAM arrives, the new weapon of Israel-PremierTech

The evolution of aerodynamic bikes seems unstoppable and, just like in Formula 1, with each new version, with each new model, manufacturers manage to shave off a bit of wind resistance here and there.

However, the big news in recent years is the renewed race to have lightweight bikes while improving aerodynamics. The latest to take this fight to the extreme is the new Factor Ostro VAM, which openly compares itself directly with what seemed to be the undisputed queen of aerolight bikes for a long time, the Specialized Tarmac SL8, which this Factor Ostro VAM claims to surpass in the numbers that come out of the wind tunnel while matching it in weight and, surely, not lagging behind in other important parameters such as stiffness.

Just in its second generation, the Factor Ostro VAM has taken care in its design to ensure that the airflow is properly guided, taking into account the cyclist as the element that contributes the most resistance to the whole. To achieve this optimization, Factor has divided the bike into different zones, focusing on improving aerodynamics in some and deciding in which ones it could do without in order to lighten the bike as much as possible.

Thus, the fork receives narrower legs with a deeper profile, while also improving other small details such as the integration of the brake caliper or ensuring that the thru-axles barely protrude. On the other hand, the head tube has a much more pronounced hourglass-shaped section, minimizing its frontal profile in the central area. In any case, it is also narrower in the bearing area.

The top tube, less important in terms of aerodynamics, has been used as a source of weight reduction. Even so, it retains a certain profile with which it seeks to guide the air that comes out of the head tube smoothly to the rear of the bike, where it meets the elaborate seat tube, which becomes one of the key areas for the aerodynamics of this Factor Ostro VAM. A seat tube that now more visibly envelops the rear wheel. In this area, Factor has also worked on the design of the bottle cages, which play an active part in guiding the airflow, collecting the turbulence that comes from the front and concentrating it to flow as smoothly as possible towards the rear wheel.

The frame of this Factor Ostro VAM, after the lightening process, weighs 820 grams, 45 less than its predecessor, and the frame, fork, wheels, seatpost, handlebar, together manage to reduce a whopping 267 g. At the same time, it achieves an improvement of 7 W at 48 km/h compared to the previous version.

To achieve optimal aerodynamics, the Factor Ostro VAM is accompanied by Black Inc wheels, the front one with a 48 mm profile and the rear one with a 58 mm profile, profiles so generous that it increases the merit of achieving a bike at the weight limit set by the UCI. In fact, the pair has one of the lightest weights on the market, tipping the scales at just 1,270 g.

Factor Ostro VAM: Setups and prices

Factor Ostro VAM Shimano Dura-Ace

• Price: 10,749 €
• Frame: 2024 Factor Ostro VAM
• Wheels: Black Inc 48/58
• Group: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
• Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 R
• Seatpost: Factor Ostro VAM 2024
• Handlebar: Integrated aerodynamic Black Inc.
• Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow

Factor Ostro VAM SRAM Red AXS

• Price: 10,699 € (11,049 € with power meter)
• Frame: 2024 Factor Ostro VAM
• Wheels: Black Inc 48/58
• Group: SRAM Red eTap AXS
• Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 R
• Seatpost: Factor Ostro VAM 2024
• Handlebar: Integrated aerodynamic Black Inc.
• Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow

Factor Ostro VAM SRAM Force AXS

• Price: 9,049 €
• Frame: 2024 Factor Ostro VAM
• Wheels: Black Inc 48/58
• Group: SRAM Force AXS
• Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 R
• Seatpost: Factor Ostro VAM 2024
• Handlebar: Integrated aerodynamic Black Inc
• Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow

Factor Ostro VAM Shimano Ultegra Di2

• Price: 8,849 €
• Frame: 2024 Factor Ostro VAM
• Wheels: Black Inc 48/58
• Group: Shimano Ultegra Di2
• Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 R
• Seatpost: Factor Ostro VAM 2024
• Handlebar: Integrated aerodynamic Black Inc.
• Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow

Factor Ostro VAM Frame Kit

• Price: 5,799 € (8,799 € with wheels)