Exclusive Review of the FACTOR Slick

After testing the One at the beginning of the year and the 02 VAM in the spring, 3bikes.fr had the chance to exclusively test the Factor Slick, a unique aerodynamic frame with its double down tube. Originally designed to UCI standards for time trials, the Slick has been available in a triathlon version since summer 2019, only accommodates electronic or wireless drivetrains, and will soon be available with disc brakes. A second-shaving machine for cyclists or triathletes in a hurry.

By Pierre-Maxime BRANCHE – Photos: @3bikes.fr / DR

At the last Roc d’Azur show in October, it irresistibly caught our attention. Prominently displayed on the stand of Dagg, a Parisian bike shop and French distributor of several high-end brands such as Castelli, Gir’s, Speedplay, CeramicSpeed, Black Inc, Maurten, and of course Factor, the Slick captivated us in a fraction of a second. A few discussions and a round trip to the Triathlon Store in Nice later, we are now very proud to present this little gem to you. A quick test, a first hands-on, a feel for the sensations, before letting it join the garage of triathlete (and revelation of the year?) William Mennesson, winner of the Deauville L Triathlon, the legendary Embrunman, and the VentouxMan in 2019.

All for triathlon

The Factor Slick is not new. It was released in 2017, the result of extensive collaboration with the French team AG2R-La Mondiale, which was looking for more than just an equipment supplier—a designer capable of providing total investment, adaptation, and adjustment to specifically work on time trial positioning and performance. This development was so centered around the professional athlete that bikes available to the general public were very rare.

The novelty, however, is this triathlon version, launched shortly before summer 2019. Although this frame still intrinsically meets UCI standards today, it now accommodates a Nutribox on the front of the top tube, a carbon fiber StoraPak (which can hold two inner tubes, a tire, and a small multi-tool) on the back of the seat tube, as well as a zero-setback seatpost for triathletes to promote a forward position, and finally the option to adapt a straight or rising stem.

A unique bike

“A second-shaving machine for the rider in a hurry. A bike that smooths out the road. If you have an obsessive relationship with cycling, if every second separating you from your goal is your next battle, if you appreciate beauty and well-made things, our new Slick will not leave you in peace.” Yes, the brand couldn’t say anything else, we agree, but this Slick is truly unique, and you just have to lean over the down tube to be convinced. Or rather, the double down tube!

With its Twin Vane Evo, Factor achieves a small technological feat here to offer superior aerodynamics and frame stiffness. A feat, but also a signature, as Guillaume Girout, director of Dagg Distribution, explains: “The English brand is revisiting a strong concept here, one that is dear to it and that it had already developed on its F001 about ten years ago. This double tube reduces aero drag while maintaining the necessary stiffness. The more you slim down a down tube, the more you reduce stiffness. On the other hand, to be aerodynamic, you have to slim down that same tube. Here, turbulence passes between the two tubes, but you still maintain the desired stiffness. It’s technically quite difficult to achieve, especially for mass production, but that’s what makes it a unique bike, both very light, stable, and aerodynamic.“

To cut through the air

Obviously, all the tubes, in their design and section, have been worked on to offer the best possible aerodynamics. Thus, we find a front fork with wide, straight, widely spaced fork legs that integrate the custom front brake; the rear chainstays are also very wide to allow air to circulate freely around the frame;

the large chainstays also deflect airflow and integrate the rear brake caliper; the seat tube perfectly hugs the rear wheel to protect it from the wind, even featuring a carbon “appendage” at the junction of the seatstays and seat tube. The goal is for air to pass the seat tube without disturbing the rotation of the rear tire, which benefits from clearance for 28 mm sections (here 25 mm during our test).

Finally, the connections of the front triangle, bottom bracket shell, head tube, and seatpost/top tube are extremely reinforced.

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Millimeter-perfect ergonomics

The 51 Speedshop Mono-Riser System cockpit, made of stainless steel by a British collective of ergonomists, is designed to optimize biomechanical alignment, support points, and aerodynamics. The radial shape and 5° inclination of the handlebar allow for greater control and thus better steering safety. The width of the armrests varies from 142 to 255 mm depending on the wing used. The extensions offer three different grip shapes (classic, S-bend, and Ultimate), the carbon-reinforced nylon armrests ensure comfort and elbow support and have small channels to allow air to pass through and facilitate cooling.

Finally, the included spacers allow you to adjust your arm height by up to 60 mm. Directly mounted on the handlebars, the Slick features a BTA bottle cage mount. Ideal for grabbing your energy drink on the fly in aid stations and placing it directly in the holder without risk or loss of time.

Disc version coming soon

The Slick is currently only available with an electronic drivetrain setup in Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 or Ultegra Di2. No mechanical setup, but it will soon be available in Sram Red and Force eTap. Similarly, while we tested the rim-brake version, it will soon be offered in a disc version at no extra cost, according to the brand’s policy. Note the CeramicSpeed bottom bracket, as well as the Black Inc wheel bearings, here with a 75 mm rim depth. It can be sold with lower rim depths such as 45 or 30 mm, or with combos, for example 75 mm at the rear and 45 mm at the front. In our test version, the frameset (with 51 Speedshop cockpit, seatpost, and bottom bracket) assembled with the Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain, Black Inc 75 mm wheels equipped with Continental GP4000 RS 25 mm tires, and a fi’zi:k Arione saddle weighs 8.2 kg and costs €8,500. The Shimano Dura Ace Di2 version costs €11,000.

On the road

Whether you are used to riding in an aerodynamic position or not, the Factor Slick is a fairly accessible bike. Obviously, after the first few kilometers during which novices will lose their usual positional bearings, the Slick is quickly adopted. Despite its great stiffness, especially in the steering due to this enormous connection section, which can be surprising during accelerations, one of its primary qualities is surprisingly comfort, especially if your position is good and does not cause you any muscular discomfort. Indeed, this frame filters vibrations well, both at the fork and cockpit and at the seat tube, which allows your rear end to fully enjoy the kilometers passing by. This comfort is also a consequence of this double down tube: the sections of these two tubes are thinner than if it were just one large carbon tube. Thinner means more vibration absorption, therefore more comfort, because there is no stacking of carbon layers here to compensate for a thin tube section.

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Comfortable and light

Honestly, we would have liked to test this Slick on one or two very long rides of several hours, just to see if this comfort is still present over the long haul, but the opportunity did not arise. So we turned to a sure bet: Thomas Navarro, a triathlete licensed with A.S. Monaco Triathlon (winner of the Trigames de Cagnes-sur-mer, 3rd in VentouxMan among others in 2019) who rode the Slick all last season. Here is his comment:

“The Slick is really a great bike. For triathlon, it’s ideal on slightly hilly courses. It seems very similar to the Scott Plasma I had in 2018, which was also a great bike. I can really settle into it easily, and the comfort is good. I regularly do 6-hour rides without any problems. It also has good climbing abilities, as my setup is quite light. I achieve almost similar times on steep climbs compared to a classic road bike. The only downside is emergency braking, especially the rear brake.“

Indeed, the rear caliper placed under the chainstays, next to the bottom bracket shell, is a real weakness. In this position, the wheel’s power is far too great to achieve decent braking, especially in an emergency, for example, to correct a trajectory error on a descent. Let’s say you don’t brake, but rather slow down. The advantage of this position here is to prioritize aerodynamics, especially on a bike where everything is designed for speed.

A strong point, however, is its lightness! At 8.2 kg on the scale in this test configuration without pedals and without a bottle cage, the Slick is sharper than other segment benchmarks like the Cervélo P5, which weighs around 8.6 kg. Four hundred grams less, that’s more watts… Because just because there are two down tubes doesn’t mean there’s twice the weight. It just means the weight is better distributed for as much stiffness as if the Slick had one enormous down tube. This lightness gives it a certain versatility: in climbing sections, whether regular or more pronounced, as well as on the flats for pulling straight lines by spinning a big gear.

A balanced road companion

The Slick loves speed; it’s its preferred domain, its comfort zone. Once launched and well-positioned, it’s easy to ride, it glides like on rails, and it facilitates your changes of pace on the flats. It’s lively in its trajectories, with precise steering at the start of turns, and feels reassuring when leaning into a corner. Only accelerations left us a bit flat, as the frame’s stiffness and the virtual absence of lateral deformation with each pedal stroke tolerate very little lack of physical condition, as was the case at the beginning of November. We also reserve judgment on its efficiency in climbs, not having been able to take it on long, steep, or high-altitude rides. But the Factor Slick is a balanced, fluid road companion, striking a balance between the power it can help you deliver and the comfort it provides for endurance. It can thus be considered for many triathlon courses in France, Europe, and worldwide, as seen at the last Ironman Hawaii in October, where it took 11th place with Swiss rider Jan Van Berkel.

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