Factor has an all-new SLiCK, and they are calling it their “first dedicated triathlon bike”. After years in their line-up as a versatile full aero time trial or triathlon bike, Factor has simplified things by making this new generation tri-only. Gone is the split downtube & pierced seattube, as well as that pesky UCI-approved sticker. In its place are more sizes & more cockpit adjustability to improve rider fit, more storage options inside & on top of the frame, plus the bonus of a 20% lower frameset price, 11% more affordable premium
2024 Factor SLiCK, a more affordable triathlon-only race bike
Factor calls this all-new Slick their “new face of triathlon”. Evolved from its aero all-rounder predecessor, the new bike has a similar overall silhouette. But look closely and you’ll see that it’s been simplified quite a bit.
Why did they go triathlon-only?
Factor’s previous Slick that debuted all-the-way back in 2018 had to do double duty as both a triathlon and World Tour time trial bike. But after the UCI recently relaxed its aero frame limitations a bit, Factor dropped an all-new Hanzo TT bike that adapted Slick aero lessons for the more modern wide tire aerodynamics of road racing. So with UCI homologation concerns out of the way, Factor took the new Slick back to the core of what a triathlete really needs.
Tri-optimized geometry, plenty of sizes and cockpit adjustability to fit more riders, integrated hydration, race-ready nutrition & self-sufficient repairs storage, and greater affordability for the amateur triathlon racing crowd.
Wider range triathlon geometry & cockpit adjustability
Going all-in on triathlon also means retooling geometry specifically for triathletes, and with that comes adding one more size. The new Factor Slick now comes in 5 sizes (48-58cm), adding both longer and shorter Reach options to its range, and lowering Stack across all sizes.
Geometry-wise, the new bike doesn’t change all that much, but there is a move towards more stability, with slightly longer chainstays and a little extra BB drop, paired with decreased fork offset that will increase Trail.
Other than that, it features the same headtube angle as before and a slightly slacker seat angle, but with an extra long saddle 42mm adjustment range to let almost any triathlete find their perfect setback. And Ritchey saddle rail clamp hardware for optional compatibility with all types of rails.
Making for easier adjustability, the new tri bike now sticks with a standard 1 1/8″ fork steerer (with a reinforced cable channel). That means you can mount any 3rd-party base bar & aerobars combo to this bike. And it will be easier to disassemble for travel.
What’s new in the details?
Replacing the old split downtube, the new Slick features more conventional truncated aero tube shapes like on the latest Ostro VAM, just deeper here where lightweight is less of a priority. The front end is a perfect example, with the new tri bike adopting a deeper version of the narrow hourglass headtube and smooth transition into the crown of the conventional fork, dropping the fork extension in front of its headtube.
The bigger downtube also means there’s now room for internal frame storage, with the triathlon bike packing a bag inside for roadside emergency repairs – whether out on a training ride or mid-race. And you can bolt any conventional or aero bottle cage on top of that quick-release trap door, too.
More storage continues up top, with a new bolt-on hydration pack attached like a toptube bag, and a small easy-access snack bag just behind that.
Tech details
- Toray and Nippon Graphite Pitch-based carbon fiber layup
- new wide-stance tapered steerer carbon fork
- CeramicSpeed SLT 1-1/8″ upper 1-3/8″ headset bearings
- T47 CeramicSpeed bottom bracket for 30mm spindle cranks, standard
- integrated fully internal cable routing
- electronic drivetrains only
- flat mount disc brake only, max 160mm rotors front & rear
- max 56T chainring
- 12mm thru-axles
- 700c only
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
2024 Factor Slick – Pricing, options & availability
The new and now tri-only Factor Slick carbon triathlon bike is available now with more build options than ever and at more affordable prices. Essentially there are 2 possible complete build kits to suit varying budgets – the standard Slick and the Slick Premium – both sharing the same frame and each available in Shadow White & black or Nebula blue & black.
The most affordable complete bike option is the standard $7200 Factor Slick complete bike gets a SRAM Force 2x drivetrain with a power meter, Black Inc 58 carbon wheels, and a Vision 3-piece TriMax Carbon Aerobar setup.
If you want to go more custom than that, you can pick up the $5000 Slick Premium Package frame kit includes frame, fork, seatpost, headset, Vision Metron TFA Aerobars, and hydration/storage packs…. and build from there.
Another $7600 Slick Premium Package with Wheels adds a set of Black Inc 62 carbon wheels for a rolling chassis you can build on.
From $9200 you can get the Slick Premium Package, 62 wheels & Force. Or go all in for $10,400 with the Factor Slick Premium setup and a SRAM Red groupset with power meter.
More or less all options are available to order now from your local Factor dealer. But it is officially a “Limited Initial Release”, so Factor recommends reserving the bike you want as soon as possible.
