Until now Factor Bikes have stuck exclusively to smooth roads with their uniquely aero road and TT bikes. That’s all set to change as much of the same lessons learned in aero road get translated to what looks like a slippery fast aero gravel road bike – the all-new Factor Vista.
2019 Factor Vista aero carbon, all-road gravel bike
Factor actually stops short of calling the all-new Vista a gravel bike, instead labelling it ‘all-road’. That distinction does signal the bikes intentions a bit. This is meant to be a super fast aero bike with 700c wheels destined for fact mixed-surface riding and racing, with enough tire clearance to take on gravel roads, but also four-season road riding versatility as well – never confined to smooth asphalt.
Factor Vista aero gravel bike – Tech Details
At first glance, it is the OTIS (One Total Integration System) All-Road fork that stands out on the new bike with its external steerer in front of the headtube.
Usually found on TT or even aero bikes like the split-downtube One, Factor says the OTIS-AR fork allowed them to keep the frontal area low (with a straight 1.125″ steerer) and the steering precision high, while building shock & vibration absorption into the thin tapering fork legs for all-day, all-road comfort.
The front end is rounded out with a OTIS-AR integrated cockpit as well. Fitting neatly inline with the fork, the ‘barstem’ promises handling precision with a vertically comfortable layup thanks mostly to a wide, flat stem design. The bar gets a slight backsweep on the tops and a bit of flare in the drops for more off-road comfort. It is an entirely proprietary setup, with the barstem bolted directly to the top of the fork, not clamped traditionally to the upper steerer tube extension. Stack is adjustable with spacers, but no Reach or bar angle adjustment is possible, and you can’t simply swap out a conventional bar & stem setup.
The frame itself features super thin seatstays dropped low to take both aero advantage and offer more comfort, paired with stout chainstays for pedaling efficiency. The entire frameset, including the bar & seatpost use all-road optimized carbon layup for all day riding comfort over mixed terrain. The squared-off proprietary seatpost is especially designed to flex to reduce fatigue on long, rough rides.
The frame and fork both feature room for up to 35mm tires making the Vista truly capable for any type of roads (still with at least 4mm clearance all around). Plus, both ends of the bike feature low profile hidden fender mounts using removable eyelet hardware, flat mount disc brakes, and 12mm thru-axles.
The bike gets fully internal cable routing, which Factor says is “hassle-free”, in both frame and fork, plus the integrated cockpit. The Vista is designed to work with whatever drivetrain you choose, compatible with electronic and mechanical solutions, and both 1x and traditional double drivetrains (including a removable front derailleur tab).
The bike features a PF4630 bottom bracket, and the frame kit includes a CeramicSpeed BB with Wheels Mfg BBRight adapters.
Available with the bike are a set of 21mm internal x 30mm deep carbon wheels from Black Inc. The Black Inc Thirty wheels feature centerlock hubs, CeramicSpeed bearings, and a tubeless rim with tape & valves installed and ready for your tubeless all-road tire of choice.
Factor Vista aero gravel bike – All-Road Geometry
Designed as an all-road bike to churning away the longest rides without being limited to road surface, Factor gives the Vista a newly developed all-road geometry. Optimized for 30-35mm tires, the bike gets extra bottom bracket drop and more fork offset to deliver trail figures and consistent handling for all five frames sizes 49-58cm), no matter the terrain.
Factor Vista aero gravel bike – Spec & Availability
The new Factor Vista is an integrated solution kind of bike, so it will come primarily as a system chassis frame kit, including the RGi carbon frame & fork, the one-piece OTIS bar+stem, a Cane Creek 110 headset, and the 20mm setback seatpost. Starting off the Vista frame kit is available now from dealers worldwide in one of two paint schemes – the standard gray, or a special edition CHPT3 Devesa black.
The CHPT3 x Factor Vista Devesa Edition pays homage to the Devesa forest outside of Girona, which feeds fresh air to the many pro cyclists that call the Spanish city a second home for training. The collaboration with ex-pro David Millar is as much about exploring the mixed-surface roads around Girona, as it is Millar’s freedom to explore away from the most well-known road climbs in his active retirement.
