FACTOR Bikes – part of a visionary firm that has helped to revolutionize the aerospace industry, Formula 1 racing and some of the most advanced supercars in the world – has unveiled the FACTOR Vis Vires road bike. With electronics incorporated from the ground up, the bike has ‘data captured like never before – with a complete, accurate and fully integrated system of high-end monitoring devices.’
The Latin words Vis Vires equate to power, strength and authority – and FACTOR Bikes is clearly looking to spread its influence with its technology packed, albeit super-premium priced, product offering.
Needing flexible and reliable technology, FACTOR used ANT+ as its wireless sensor technology of choice making the Vis Vires compatible with the millions of ANT+ devices that dominate the cycling market today.
Two models will be sold, Vis Vires Ultegra Di2 (£7999/US$10,441 with Factor Power Cranks and £5999/US$7,830 with Ultegra cranks); and the Vis Vires Dura-Ace Di2 (£9999/US$13,051). The Dura-Ace model will be available in August 2013, while the Ultegra model will be available in January 2014.
Already a few years in the making – and with engineers, designers and an extensive expertise rooted in Formula 1 racing and supercars such as Bugatti and Aston Martin – the team at bf1systems (parent company of FACTOR) set out to design the ultimate road bike. The FACTOR Vis Vires is targeted at serious cyclists wanting speed, data and detailed performance feedback.
Using ANT+ ultra-low power wireless technology, the FACTOR team designed the Vis Vires from day one to capture data accurately, efficiently and easily with a full system of ANT+ compatible electronics seamlessly built in to the bike frame.
The stem features an integrated mount for either a Garmin Edge 510 (Ultegra Di2) or 810 (Dura-Ace Di2) bike computer allowing riders to view heart rate, speed, cadence and power data from the included ANT+ sensors. Riders can also mix-and-match sensors and displays from any other ANT+ devices that support the same profiles.
The ANT+ enabled FACTOR Power Cranks included as standard on the Dura-Ace model and optional on the Ultegra model measure left and right leg power individually, and output this as total power with a detailed left/right leg power balance. As noted by FACTOR, the reliability, flexibility and ease of use with the widely adopted ANT+ devices, provide cyclists with a well-known, customizable and trusted system for performance monitoring.
Both models of bicycles use the same Vis Vires frame, and have total weights of 15.2lb for the Dura-Ace and 16.3lb for the Ultegra model. Each also comes equipped with full carbon clincher wheels, custom all internal cable routing and an ENVE Composites Compact handlebar.
Using bike industry juggernauts such as Cervélo and Specialized bikes as benchmarks, FACTOR’s Vis Vires aims to excel in terms of stiffness, aerodynamics, comfort and weight, specifically performing its best at high yaw angles.
FACTOR’s Vis Vires features include:
- Built-in handlebar mounted ANT+ Garmin Edge 510 or 810 with heart rate strap (depending on model)
- FACTOR Power Crank with internal torque and force measuring circuitry, allowing left/right leg performance monitoring (Dura-Ace model)
- Included AeroComfort TSA travel bag protecting bike frame from impacts and vibrations during transport
- Dura-Ace 15.2lb (Power Crank and Garmin included) / Ultegra 16.3lb (Garmin included)
“This bike was carefully crafted to incorporate the best in design, components and electronics so ANT+ technology was our natural choice,” said John Bailey, Managing Director at FACTOR.
“Apart from allowing us to transition seamlessly between modes, ANT+ also immediately links us to an established ecosystem of best in class interoperable cycling devices, which is important as we will also be offering our Power Cranks as an aftermarket product.”
Factor will soon be taking deposits for the first 100 limited edition Dura Ace Team Orange and Stealth Black bikes. Each bike’s chassis number will be shown on the top tube, it will also be verified with a certificate of authenticity for every owner. FACTOR Vis Vires Ultegra White will be available from January 2014 and will not be part of the first 100 production run.
