Factor Bikes announced the launch of the new O2 VAM, ‘the world’s fastest climbing bike with an unprecedented mix of lightness and aerodynamics’. The new O2 VAM will be raced at the Tour de France by the Israel-Premier Tech team, who played a significant role in its development.
According to Factor Bikes, ‘The new O2 VAM is an aero climbing bike – nothing else this light is as fast, nothing this fast is as light. It’s the ultimate choice for riders seeking performance on big days in the mountains, whether you’re riding the Étape du Tour or the Tour de France.’
The new frame is complemented by the all-new, 1,146g Black Inc 28//33 wheelset with carbon fiber spokes. Complete builds weigh from 6.2kg (size 54, Dura-Ace Di2).
Factor Bikes Director of Engineering, Graham Shrive, says: “We began by asking the riders of the Israel-Premier Tech team ‘On what terrain do you get your results and how can we help that?’ They wanted a bike that would be under 7kg in race trim, with pedals, transponder and number.
“Then we asked, ‘What’s stopping you from riding the previous O2 VAM?’ They said aero and stiffness. So, we made the new O2 VAM as stiff as the OSTRO VAM, a 35% increase, and 12W faster than the old O2 VAM in the wind tunnel, which is around half the difference to the OSTRO VAM and at low yaw angles of 0-5˚ it’s only 5W behind.
“The new O2 VAM is right on the UCI weight limit when race-ready and faster than any other bike this light.”
Ride comfort has been increased by the external seatpost and ultra-thin toptube, which reduces to 10mm to promote controlled deflection at the saddle over bumps. The riding position has also evolved, with a 10mm increase in stack height across the size range in response to customer fit data.
The handling geometry is identical to the well proven OSTRO VAM, which pros and customers alike have raved about. A consistent 57mm trail figure is achieved across all seven sizes thanks to four different fork offsets.
KEY FEATURES:
• Complete bikes from 6.2kg
• Frame weight 730g, size 54
• 12W faster than previous model, average +15/-15º sweep, 48kph
• 35% stiffer on average across all sizes
• External seatpost
• D-shape truncated aero profiles
• Optimized for 28mm tires
• 32mm max tire clearance
• 10mm higher stack, in response to customer fit data
• 7 sizes, 3 paint schemes
• Prisma Studio custom paint available immediately
• New Black Inc 28//33 wheelset with carbon fiber spokes, 1,146g
