Factor Bike One Road Frameset 2017

Factor Bikes' One Road Frameset has a long, storied pedigree that began as a twinkle in the eye of bf1systems, one of Britain's preeminent motorsport design firms. The One's predecessors, the Factor 001 and the Vis Vires, pushed the boundaries of stiff, responsive handling and aerodynamic frame shapes beyond their logical limits so far beyond, in fact, that they weren't race legal. Given that prohibition, we admit that we regarded them as novelties but never really considered them viable for us because, well, we like to race. Factor's stated aim is to be the best specialty racing bike company in the world with the aerodynamically advanced One, the brand may well have done it. The One combines every bit of aerodynamic technology and frame construction expertise selectively sampled by Factor's other models, the One S and the O2. The exception to this is the One Total Integration System OTIS front end, which is only featured on the One and which is what elevates the brand's flagship frameset to the lofty best specialty racing bike ambition. The One marks Factor's transition from the un race able novelties the brand was formerly known for to sanctioned startlines the world over. OTIS enjoys the obvious benefits of presenting a minimal face to the wind it's practically two dimensional head on and with the inclusion of an external fairing that rotates with the fork and bars disturbing the air as little as possible. These features are designed to work in cahoots with the bifurcated down tube in order to take full advantage of the peculiar design, and without both elements, the significant claims of reduction in air resistance are void. OTIS's integrated barstem combo also does its part, increasing stiffness, boosting the frame's aerodynamic benefits yet further, and actually managing to reduce frontal surface area when compared to the Vis Vires. OTIS's final benefit runs contrary to everything we'd expect to see in an aerodynamic race frame: It contributes ...