First ride review: Factor O2 VAM – Aiming for the peaks?

The Factor O2 VAM, one of the lightest bikes of recent years, promises to combine minimal weight and a touch of aerodynamics like no other. It checks all the boxes with details like the integrated seat post. But can the bike live up to expectations, and does the road scene still need climbing specialists?

Factor Bikes and racing go hand in hand. The brand has an undeniable need for speed, and every model in their portfolio is designed to go fast. Factor’s approach was evident in our gravel race bike group test where the Factor OSTRO Gravel proved to be an uncompromising aero gravel bike. Likewise, the new O2 VAM is all about creating the fastest bike on the market. However, true to O2 heritage – aerodynamic efficiency – isn’t its selling point. The bike is all about excelling on the climbs. What has changed on the latest VAM is the introduction of aero-optimisation on a climbing bike. Factor refer to this as “maximum aerodynamics at minimum weight”, clearly making weight savings the top priority. To this end, the speed experts have reached deep into their bag of tricks, but has it paid off?

Light as a feather and fast as lightning? – Factor O2 VAM

The singular goal of creating the perfect climbing bike still demands maximum weight savings, even in times of aero-everything. That’s because riding uphill still mainly consists of fighting gravity. And you’ll typically ride slower when climbing, at which point aerodynamics become a lot less relevant. But depending on the brand, climbing bikes can take very different approaches.
Factor have identified two categories of climbing bikes: the pure, lightweight climbing specialists that completely ignore aerodynamics, and the all-rounders. The all-rounders promise to strike a good compromise between weight and aerodynamics, resulting in a consistently well-performing bike for every scenario, though with a higher weight.
And this is exactly where Factor step in to introduce a third category, offering maximum weight savings with a touch of aero-optimisation, so to speak. The goal was clear, and the boss’ instructions were unambiguous: “Make me the most aerodynamic sub 700 g frame possible”, which can only mean creating a bike while taking an approach that we’ve never seen before. According to Factor, this also means that the complete “race-ready” bike, i.e. including the pedals and transponder, tips the scales at the UCI weight limit of just 6.8 kg. However, that wasn’t entirely the case with our size 56 test bike. Equipped with the SRAM Force AXS eTap groupset, which we admit isn’t top end, the bike weighs 6.93 kg without pedals. However, it should shine with the same stiffness as the aero optimised Factor OSTRO VAM.

Weight savings and wind tunnels? – The Factor O2 VAM

Saving weight sounds simple at first: Just use as little material as possible. But, as always, the devil is in the details, and the 6.8 kg mark isn’t easy to reach, even with modern technologies and materials.
The Factor O2 VAM certainly looks lighter than most other bikes on the market with its heavily tapered top tube, aerodynamic-ish down tube, and dainty seat stays. You’ve also got the fork, of course, on which they clearly used as little material possible, though the aerodynamics weren’t entirely neglected either. The smooth transition between the fork crown and the frame is particularly reminiscent of the aerodynamic OSTRO VAM and OSTRO Gravel.

This is complemented by one of the main features of the O2 VAM – the integrated seat post isn’t just for looks, but also allows Factor to save vital grams and watts. It’s a cool solution that lets the bike stand out from the crowd.
But whether all the aero claims can be backed by hard facts can only be proven in the wind tunnel. And yes, the O2 VAM was taken there! As perhaps the only climbing bike and with completely different requirements compared to thoroughbred race bikes, Factor also had to break new ground here. Air flow behaves very differently at 20 km/h compared to 45 km/h, and so the seat tube in particular has been made significantly wider to hide the rear wheel in the slipstream.

The high-end components of the Factor O2 VAM

Factor went all in when speccing the O2 VAM. Thanks to their cooperation with Black Inc, the bike was supplied with top notch components. And so the O2 VAM comes equipped with the Black Inc Integrated Barstem known from the OSTRO VAM – ergonomic, aero-optimised, and lightweight, of course. As the icing on the cake, the wheels have been specially developed for the O2 VAM. Thus, the Black Inc 28//33 are at the cutting edge of wheel technology, designed for 28 mm tires with an external rim width of 28.5 mm and a wide 23 mm internally, yet tipping the scales at just 1,118 g!

Matching the wheels, Factor spec Goodyear Eagle F1R tires. The € 9,499 model on test is finished off with a SRAM Force eTap AXS groupset. Unfortunately, our bike didn’t yet feature the latest iteration. Factor don’t bother with a power meter either. It’s available as an optional upgrade for just under € 300. The CeramicSpeed bottom bracket is a rarity for a stock bike, which once again demonstrates Factor’s consistent pursuit of efficiency and race performance.

Tuning-Tipp: A power meter to claim that K/QOM.

Like the British brand’s other bikes, the O2 VAM is in the high-end segment in terms of pricing. The “Premium Package” includes a frame set and cockpit, and is available for € 6,049. If you want to add the Black Inc 28//33 wheels, you’ll have to fork out € 8,599. The price for a complete bike with either a SRAM Force eTap AXS or Shimano ULTEGRA Di2 groupset is surprisingly low, setting you back by € 900 more. But for a SRAM RED or Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, the total price is a whopping € 11,999. The option of a custom paint job is particularly noteworthy, giving your creativity free rein for a surcharge of just under € 500.

The geometry of the Factor O2 VAM

Factor have redesigned the new O2 VAM from the ground up, and they haven’t stopped at the geometry. While based on the predecessor, there’s a lot that Factor have learned. To ensure the slightly upright riding position preferred when climbing, the O2 VAM has a little more stack and less reach. This is achieved via a shorter top tube and steeper seat tube angle. To perform on steep terrain, the O2 VAM places the rider a little more over the bottom bracket, and into a more upright position for long climbs.

Size	45	49	52	54	56	58	61
Seat Tube	560 mm	580 mm	620 mm	650 mm	680 mm	700 mm	720 mm
Head Tube	109 mm	117 mm	134 mm	154 mm	172 mm	196 mm	211 mm
Head angle	71.1°	71.7°	72.5°	72.5°	73.3°	73.3°	73.3°
Seat angle	75.5°	74.5°	74°	74°	73,5°	73,5°	73,5°
Chainstay	405 mm	405 mm	405 mm	405 mm	405 mm	408 mm	410 mm
Wheelbase	970 mm	969 mm	971 mm	985 mm	987 mm	1,006 mm	1,022 mm
Reach	360 mm	367 mm	373 mm	381 mm	389 mm	401 mm	410 mm
Stack	502 mm	514 mm	535 mm	552 mm	574 mm	597 mm	611 mm

The sky’s the limit – Riding the Factor O2 VAM

A bike with such clear goals raises high expectations, and the Factor O2 VAM can certainly deliver. As a super direct bike, it’s very precise and manoeuvrable, accelerates incredibly easily, and is just a blast on the climbs. Steep gradients and winding climbs, in particular, really put a smile on your face with this bike, revealing the true strengths of its low weight and responsiveness – a dream on steep inclines and long Alpine passes.
If you venture away from the climbs, the O2 VAM will quickly feel outside of its comfort zone, because the direct handling, which is so appreciated when climbing, feels nervous and robs you of confidence on the descents and straights. Experienced riders will know how to deal with this, but beginners should better take it slow first. As such, the bike is no match for all-rounders or aero bikes despite the aero-optimisation, and the increased drag is clearly noticeable, especially on flat terrain. But the moment you approach a hill and the O2 VAM lets you climb effortlessly to the top, you’ll forget all that and find yourself grinning once again.

Who is the Factor O2 VAM for?

Weight fanatic, climbing fan, and flush with cash – ring a bell? In that case the Factor O2 VAM might be perfect for you. Those who live and ride in mountainous terrain and prefer climbing rather than blasting down descents will love this bike. That said, you must keep in mind that all that climbing prowess comes at a cost, unable to hide the lack of aerodynamics and nervous handling on the descents. But if that’s a compromise you’re willing to accept, you’ll get a truly unique bike that’s sure to put a smile on your face.

Conclusion on the new Factor O2 VAM

Absolute climbing performance. That’s what the Factor O2 VAM promises – and that’s what it delivers! Purpose built down to the finest detail, it performs convincingly with its super-agile handling and mountain-goat-like capabilities. Technical refinements like the integrated seat post and low-speed aerodynamics are the cherry on top. It’s an excellent and unique option for climbers, and not just because of the prominent Factor logo on the down tube. The high-end CeramicSpeed and Black Inc components also make the bike stand out from the crowd.

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Words: Calvin Zajac Photos: Jan Richter, Mike Hunger