Technology with a Side of Style
If you’ve never heard of Factor before, no worries. With previous exposure in the bicycle industry limited to projects done for clients like Aston Martin and custom one-offs, it’s not exactly a corporate behemoth of the likes of Trek, Specialized or Giant.
What it is, however, is a company with plenty of experience in the world of composites engineering, having gained it in Formula One and aerospace under the guise of its parent company bf1systems.
However, with the launch of Factor’s first full-production bike, the Vis Vires, the brand is hoping to put that experience to use on a wider scale.
The Vis Vires is being touted by Factor as the “World’s Most Technologically Advanced Road Bike,” and, if nothing else, it certainly looks the part.
Fully equipped with a host of built-in sensors, including speed, cadence and power all of the electronics communicate via the ANT+ protocol to a Garmin-supplied computer which is integrated right into the cockpit via a custom mount.
With a ground-up emphasis on data-collection and all-around performance, it’s not entirely surprising that Factor designed the wheelset (a 26-millimeter-wide, tubeless-compatible carbon clincher to boot), as well as the proprietary power meter (which will be made available as an aftermarket product as well) featured on the Vis Vires.
The frame itself marks a stark departure from tradition, featuring plenty of integration and the evidence of close attention being paid to aerodynamics.
The Vis Vires will be available this August in two guises—Ultegra Di2 and Dura Ace Di2, and will command prices of roughly $9,000 to $15,000 at current exchange rates.
Related posts:
- Mavic Rolls Out Its First Carbon Clincher Wheelset Mavic Cosmic Carbone 40 C Carbon Clincher Wheelset $2750/ mavic.com...
- Spotlight: Aluboo Bikes Bringing Bamboo to the Masses After seeing production use under...
- Spotlight | AluBoo—The Commuter Nick Frey wants you to have a custom bike, or...
- Spotlight: American Classic Hurricane Wheelset American Classic Hurricane Wheelset $900 / amclassic.com Midnight Adventure Tested,...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
