Factor Expands Its Range with the New Ostro Gravel

Factor launches the highly anticipated Ostro Gravel, a bike that combines performance and aerodynamics.

Source: Press Release

Factor has applied its road and time trial expertise to the design of a fast bike for varied terrains, conceived for demanding Gravel races where there is a growing desire for aerodynamic optimization. With this in mind, the Ostro Gravel combines elite aerodynamics with practice-specific design details to offer a unique bike.

With tire clearance up to 45 mm and a weight of 900 g (size 54 frame fully painted in Naked Grunge), the Ostro Gravel draws inspiration from the Ostro VAM. The Ostro Gravel was born from an adaptation to the demands of Gravel racing: an aerodynamic frame, even at reduced speeds, a more robust construction, versatile geometry, handling, and mounting options.

As Gravel racing continues to evolve and races are won faster and faster, aerodynamic optimization – or lack thereof – over a 300 km race can make the difference between a podium finish and a top 10 spot. By manipulating the behavior of airflow around the head tube, before it is disturbed by the rider and the bike itself, Factor engineers were able to give this bike unique low-speed aerodynamic efficiency characteristics.

Constructed from a blend of TeXtreme®, Toray®, and Nippon Graphite® fibers, the Ostro Gravel was developed to achieve an optimal balance of lightness and strength, thanks to a reinforced layup. This design allows the bike to cope with the harsh conditions that Gravel racing can involve.

A T47A threaded bottom bracket shell, a rounded head tube, and fully internal cabling maximize the safety and robustness of this bike, while multiple options offer versatile mounting possibilities for essential accessories.

Many all-road and gravel bikes struggle to offer effective and confident steering, both on and off-road, which generally results in an unsatisfactory compromise between soft handling and restricted tire mounting options. The Ostro Gravel breaks this mold by making tire size an integral part of the geometry. Wider tires also have a larger outer diameter (or rolling circumference), which increases the actual trail (the “resultant”); narrower tires have a smaller outer diameter which reduces this resultant trail.

Factor engineers chose a slightly faster side trail value, given the bike’s racing objective, and to prioritize the head angle when selecting fork rake. This leads to a fast Gravel bike with 43 mm tires and an equally satisfying and precise all-road machine as with 32 mm tires, without any wheel wobble at low speeds.

Black Inc Components

Black Inc, Factor’s sister brand, completes the Ostro Gravel build, providing the wheelset and integrated aero cockpit, specifically optimized for Gravel performance. The Black Inc Thirty-Four wheelset is designed for Gravel and off-road, offering a modern hookless rim profile specially designed to accommodate 30 mm tires or wider, while maintaining Factor and Black Inc’s racing pedigree: a weight of 1,489 g, CeramicSpeed bearings, and Sapim CX-Ray and CX-Sprint spokes.

The Black Inc Aero integrated combo was developed to complement the frame’s agility. Featuring a slightly flared design to give the rider confidence, it houses internal hose routing to maximize aerodynamic efficiency. The ergonomic handlebar profile also saves up to 9 watts compared to a conventional stem, as validated by Factor’s wind tunnel tests.

Rob Gitelis, Founder and CEO of FACTOR, stated: “Extending our current Gravel offering to a bike of this caliber is an integral part of Factor’s development. We have invested heavily in technology to create what we believe is the fastest Gravel bike in the world. To see it already succeeding on the world stage is something we are extremely proud of.”

Adam Roberge, 2022 Gravel World Champion and Factor athlete, stated: “I worked closely with Factor behind the scenes on the development of the Ostro Gravel. This bike undoubtedly helped me achieve victory at the World Championships in Nebraska. The bike was extremely smooth and responsive, especially considering the high pace and constant elevation changes. It was a real asset to my season.”

Price:

SRAM FORCE: €9,950
SRAM FORCE + power meter: €10,350

Premium Frame Package*: €5,490
Premium Frame Package + Black Inc Wheels: €7,450

*Includes frame, fork, seatpost, integrated handlebar, CeramicSpeed bottom bracket, and CeramicSpeed headset.

Includes frame, fork, seatpost, handlebar, CeramicSpeed bottom bracket, CeramicSpeed headset, and Black Inc wheels.

Technical specifications:

FRAME: TeXtreme®, Toray®, Nippon Graphite® based fiber
FORK: OSTRO Wide Stance Fork
SEATPOST: 0 and 20 mm setback available
COMBO: Black Inc. Reach 80mm, Drop 120mm. Multiple stem lengths and handlebar widths available
HEADSET: CeramicSpeed 1.5” bearings
HEAD TUBE DIAMETER: 1.5″ upper and lower
BOTTOM BRACKET: CeramicSpeed T47A aluminum cups / CeramicSpeed bearings. Wheels MFG 24mm BBRight Reducers / Adapters
MAXIMUM TIRE CLEARANCE: 45 mm
WHEEL SIZE: 700c
BRAKE TYPE: Disc
FRONT AXLE: 12 x 100mm thru-axle
REAR AXLE: 12 x 142 mm thru-axle
CABLE ROUTING: Internal
FINISH/COLOR: Naked Grunge, White Grunge, custom paint available
MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY: Limited lifetime warranty

Contact: factorbikes.fr, dagg.fr

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