This radical Factor Aero prototype seen in Dauphiné could change the paradigm of road bikes

We were talking about the renewed Cervélo S5 that Visma-Lease a Bike was testing at the Critérium du Dauphiné, well, they are not the only ones. Israel-PremierTech is also testing a new aerodynamic Factor, although, in their case, it is not a pre-series bike but a prototype that radically changes the design of their current aero bike opening a new path for engineers.

Track bikes are the inspiration for Factor engineers

Radical is the only word that comes to mind to describe the aerodynamic bike prototype that Israel-PremierTech is testing at the Critérium du Dauphiné. A bike that completely leaves aside any hint of versatility like the one sought by current aerolight bikes and focuses on high speed on flat stages.

To design this prototype, Factor has used some of the solutions employed in their track and time trial bike Hanzo, something they have been able to do thanks to the latest relaxation of UCI rules regarding the design of this type of bikes, which Cervélo also took advantage of for their new S5.

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At first glance, the Factor prototype stands out for the use of a bayonet fork with the front part that fairings the huge profile of the steerer tube. This profile joins the steering tube block itself that extends to the gap between the top tube and the down tube in a very generous way. The fork legs, which by the way, seem to have a very vertical angle, also gain a very significant profile.

The front end is complemented by an integrated handlebar with a design, can you not imagine it? Well, yes, in the shape of a Y, emulating the one used by Cervélo in their S5 or by Colnago in the Y1Rs, and whose lines integrate perfectly both in the steering tube and in the horizontal tube.

So far, usual and more or less proven solutions. However, at Factor they are not satisfied with this and have gone much further. If we look at the bike from the front or from behind, we can see how the separation between the wheels and the fork legs in front and the seat stays and chainstays behind has increased generously in a design that was popularized on the track by the spectacular Hope HB.T used for years by British Cycling and emulated by other brands, including Factor with their Hanzo model for track and time trial.

The idea behind this design is that the airflow coming out of the fork is directed straight towards the cyclist's legs and, in turn, the rear part collects the air coming out of the legs so that this dirty air does not interfere with the laminar flow that affects the center of the bike through the steering tube, down tube, seat tube, and both profiled wheels. By the way, pay attention to the asymmetric design of their fork to also include the front disc brake in the equation. Undoubtedly, a machine that will make waves and promises a revolution in the design of this type of bikes.