It’s been a couple of years since Factor debuted their uniquely aerodynamic, but UCI-approved split-downtube One road bike. And now there’s no longer just one. Factor has added two new versions of the pro-level aero road race bike – the One Caliper with rim brakes & One Disc, you guessed it with discs.
Factor ONE Caliper, carbon rim brake aero road bike
OK, so even from the beginning there was more than one, with a couple of options to offer more cockpit options. But now Factor’s aero road bike gets distinct rim or disc brake models in the all new One V2, each keeping the radial fork design & split downtube of the original Vis Vires.
That updated, asymmetric ‘Twin Vane Evo’ downtube is the core of Factor’s aerodynamic drag reduction claims. Factor refined tube shaping through further CFD development, wind tunnel data, and velodrome sessions, before real world on-the-road testing. Helped then by the new OTIS external steerer fork and its wide-set legs.
This new version of the bike is said to improve both aerodynamics and increase frame stiffness. Stiffness gains come by way of a continuous downtube-to-chainstay carbon construction around the BBright bottom bracket.
By widening the fork legs and the airfoil seatstays for smoother airflow around the spinning wheels, Factor has bumped tire clearance up for 28mm tires on the direct-mount rim brake bike.
Factor says that the aero improvements mostly come from tricks they learned designing the TT & triathlon SLiCK frameset, now adapting the same tube-shaping know-how into the road racing platform.
The bike uses the same geometry that AG2R races on the O2 in the Pro Tour, available in a seven size range (46-61cm). The One Caliper features completely internal cable routing, but is only compatible with electronic drivetrains – no commoner mechanical shifting here.
The bike also gets a new Kamm tail OTIS Evo aero combination bar & stem that allows all of that internal cable routing. That One Total Integration System is really the combination of everything in front of the conventional headtube. Factor’s OTIS combines an external steerer fork, the bar+stem, and the internal steerer(rod)/1.125″ headset/clamping setup. Together you get improved stiffness, precise steering, excellent aerodynamics, and a slick look (that your mechanic probably won’t like as much as you.)
There still is the ability to adjust handlebar Stack by adding spacers. The bar+stem is available in different stem Reach sizing, with an ergo bar shape and 125mm of bar reach & 80mm of drop.
Both new Ones share a proprietary aero seatpost shape and hidden expander seatpost clamp. Factor offers both 0 & 25mm offset head versions that house a Di2 battery. The one-bolt rail clamp works for metal or carbon saddle rails in 7mm round or 7x9mm oval.
Factor doesn’t list weights, but says they have no problem producing “a stiff and reliable 800 gram frame”. The One Caliper is available as a frameset (called Chassis) with frame, fork bar+stem, and seatpost starting at $5500€. A Rolling Chassis including wheels or a complete Di2 bike is also available.
Right now, there is limited availability of the new One Caliper in this Crimson red only at launch this week. The next two Sterling silver and AG2R black & blue paint jobs will come later this spring.
Factor ONE Disc, carbon disc brake aero road bike
The One Disc has both frame & fork optimized to improve aerodynamics without brake mounting constraints at the top of the wheels. It uses flat mount calipers and 12mm thru-axles at both ends.
The One Disc also takes advantage of the OTIS front end to seamlessly route the front brake hydraulics through the external steerer and down inside the left fork leg. The inclusion of disc brakes also let Factor slim down the fork crown, making for a more aero front profile vs. the One Caliper, while getting more space around the wheel for better airflow. The flat mount disc caliper also gets tucked into a tidy recess in the back of the fork leg.
Like the rim brake bike, the new One Disc will be available in limited numbers and just in Crimson Red. There is no official pricing on the disc brake bike yet, but it should be appearing in Factor dealers at the end of February.
Factor has also updated their SLiCK split downtube TT & Triathlon bike, with more integration and tri-specific storage.
