The prelude and the secrecy were probably well thought out - the aim of causing a stir and staying in the limelight for a long time was undoubtedly achieved. Factor had already launched a sensational prototype at the Critérium du Dauphiné in early summer and promptly won a stage with Jake Stewart. The spectacularly designed bike was also frequently used at the media-effective Tour De France in the summer, in plain black, without lettering and without any background information even when persistently asked. Later, the bike was even presented on the stand at the Eurobike trade fair, still nameless and the company remained silent on information such as weight, market launch, design details or prices until the very end. Only now, at the end of the year, is Factor clearing the fog and announcing the official market launch: the new ONE will be available as a specialised aero model alongside the Race-Allounder Ostro and the lightweight model O2 V.A.M. complete the portfolio of the British-Taiwanese manufacturer.
At the official presentation of the racing car, the makers were not stingy with superlatives: For company founder Rob Gitelis, the ONE is "the culmination of the work of the last ten years." "The best bike I've ever made, and I think the best the road bike industry has ever built," says Chief Engineer Graham Shrive. For ex-pro and brand director David Millar, "the bike feels alive in a way that's hard to explain." And Factor-sponsored pro Pascal Ackermann from Team Israel - Premier Tech reported after test rides: "It feels like the bike is helping you - it's not just cutting through the air, it's pulling you through it."
Factor ONE: Best aerodynamics are the top priority
It is obvious that the best aerodynamics must have been at the top of the specifications. The spectacularly designed model stands out not only due to its bayonet fork with extremely wide fork blades, which were only made possible by the latest UCI rule changes to the frame design. The handlebars, which are reminiscent of outstretched seagull wings - and are also called "gull wings" -, the extremely narrow and elongated headset area and the rear triangle also look unusual and have not yet been seen on road bikes to this extent. The ONE thus borrows from the Factor time trial bike Hanzo and current competition track bikes from Hope or Canyon.
According to Factor, wind tunnel tests confirm its aerodynamic superiority: it is said to be eight per cent faster than the OSTRO VAM 2.0, 15 per cent faster than the Cervélo S5 (2024) and a whopping 22 per cent faster than the Specialized Tarmac SL8. According to Factor, the bike's ability to maintain its aerodynamic advantages even in crosswinds of over 15 degrees, where other platforms lose efficiency, is particularly remarkable.
More aerodynamic seating position
The development team took the reality of modern cycling into account when designing the ONE: Riders today sit further forward, use narrower handlebars, shorter cranks and ride with more aerodynamic positions than ever before, Factor says. The "hinge steering", which decouples the handlebar attachment from the steering axle, enables positions that would previously have required unstable, very long stems. An additional five millimetres of bottom bracket drop compensates for the change in handling due to shorter cranks and modern, i.e. wider tyres, enabling a lower and more aerodynamic riding position and keeping the bike stable at high speeds. The geometry has been designed to offer identical steering characteristics across all five frame sizes. The seat tube angle can be adjusted from 73.5 to 77 degrees via the adjustable seat post, which means the effective fit is the same as the Ostro VAM despite the steeper nominal seat tube angle.
Integrated steering system
The ONE's new integrated steering system completely replaces the conventional stem with a choice of five sizes that correspond to stems from 110-150 millimetres. There are also three rise options that place the top link at different heights and up to 15 millimetres of spacer adjustability. This offers riders an adjustment range of 35 millimetres in height without compromising aerodynamics or handling. According to the manufacturer, the stiffness values of the "Gull-Wing" handlebars are exceptional - up to 50 per cent higher than a comparable handlebar-stem combination. The ONE is therefore clearly aimed at powerful sprinters; you shouldn't expect suspension comfort, at least at the front.
Technical details
The Factor ONE is manufactured entirely in Factor's own factory in Taiwan, allowing for rapid prototyping and refinement without waiting for external tooling. The frame is made of high-modulus carbon composite material with a layup optimised for sprint loads. The weight of the frame in size 54 is said to be 900 grams, the fork weighs 540 grams, the cockpit (size 3) 210 grams and the seat post 230 grams. The ONE offers a tyre clearance of 34 millimetres (measured). The bike is designed exclusively for electronic shifting systems with fully internal cable routing.
Further information on the aero racer
The Factor ONE is available in five frame sizes (47, 52, 54, 56, 58) and four colour options: Blush, Nimbus Grey, Onyx Black and Silverstone. The base price for the Factor ONE is 8199 euros, but this only includes the frameset. Even with Black Inc. own-brand wheels, the price is 11399 euros, but then the bike has neither drive nor brakes, no tyres and no saddle. The cheapest complete bike comes with Shimano Ultegra and costs 13099 euros. With Dura-Ace, as ridden by the pros, the bike costs 15099 euros. The top of the line-up is an equipment variant with Campagnolo Super Record: 15899 euros are due for this.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
