Factor has launched its new gravel road bike, the Ostro Gravel, which focuses on moving fast, whether you’re tackling unbound or cruising tarmac.
The Ostro Gravel’s carbon frame features aero tweaks aimed at making it competitive at the top of races like Unbound, yet features wide tire clearance of 45mm (on 700c wheels) to suit a wider range of Gravel -To meet driving applications, and enough crossover capability for on-road use.
The aggressive geometry of the bike is intended to “reflect racing use”, while it is also prepared for the rigors of the diverse gravel discipline with additional attachment points for bags, boxes, tools and bottles.
There are six fully SRAM-equipped builds, all with new Black Inc Thirty-Four hookless wheels, an integrated Black Inc cockpit, CeramicSpeed bottom bracket bearings, and a CeramicSpeed headset.
Customers can also choose between a frameset or a frameset-plus-wheelset package, allowing the use of either Shimano or Campagnolo groupsets.
Prices are available from late September and start at £7,060 / $8,199 / €8,120 for a SRAM Force XPLR eTap equipped bike with a power meter, rising to £9,380 / $10,899 / €10,800 for a SRAM Red eTap with a power meter.
Frameset packages are £4,730 / $5,499 / €5,450 without wheels or £6,450 / $7,499 / €7,430 with wheels.
Built for racing
The Factor Ostro Gravel is first and foremost a bike designed for racing at the highest level in gravel racing.
But since Gravel is a diverse and flexible discipline, the Ostro Gravel’s design should also meet the needs of those who want to take it to the streets.
The frame is a blend of TeXtreme and Toray carbon interwoven with Nippon Graphite fibers that together create what Factor calls a “reinforced layup” that’s ready for gravel racing.
It has a painted weight of 900g and features wide aero tubes similar to those on the Ostro VAM all-rounder road bike.
There are wide ovalized but truncated head tube and down tube profiles that are said to be aerodynamically optimized for gravel riding speeds.
In a gravel racing scenario, of course, average speeds are lower than in a typical road race, so ultimate wind-cheating performance at high speeds is less important.
Instead, the Ostro Gravel’s tubes are noticeably canted to promote aero stability in difficult conditions.
Geometry is designed to offer a stable ride while still delivering sharp handling thanks to a steeper-than-average (for a gravel bike) head tube angle of 72.3 degrees.
Factor says it chose the head tube angle (and fork rake) with a focus on giving the Ostro Gravel a “crossover application” — more relaxed behavior with gravel tires installed and sharper, road-like handling with narrower, smoother rubber.
Although exact measurements will vary between tires selected, those running wider, chunkier gravel tires should see trail in the 60mm range, while riders with 30-35mm tires installed will see trail around 57mm.
Elsewhere, a 1,029mm wheelbase in a 56cm size should offer a mix of stability over rough surfaces.
Factor says the head tube angle combined with long chainstays (423mm, size 56cm) and tall stack heights (580mm, size 56cm) should provide a comfortable all-day ride.
Of course, those angles and measurements will change depending on the size you choose, but the handling is meant to be “on the faster handling side for gravel” but delivers precise behavior on more roadworthy tires.
The Ostro Gravel features a T47A threaded bottom bracket that rotates around CeramicSpeed bearings.
All-new integrated handlebar stem
The Factor Ostro Gravel also features fully internal cable routing thanks to the new Black Inc HB02 carbon stem.
Hydraulic brake hose routing runs through the handlebars and stem and down through a split ring at the front of the CeramicSpeed headset. From there it runs down the down tube or fork leg.
The handlebar itself features aero-profiled, flattened tops and a wide T-joint where the stem meets the handlebar. It is said to save up to 9 watts “compared to a normal bar stem setup”.
Black Inc – Factor’s in-house component brand – says the Drops’ flared design makes it easier to find an optimal shifting position.
In addition, it could also improve hand mobility, making it easier for the rider to switch between riding on the hoods and in the drops.
The HB02 stem can also accommodate a new GoPro-style front computer mount that features a second mounting point for a camera.
The fork uses a rounded 1 1/8″ steerer, which makes it easy to swap out to a third-party cockpit if desired.
All complete Ostro Gravel builds as well as the frameset and wheel package come with Black Inc’s Thirty-Four carbon wheelset.
The brand says it’s primarily designed for gravel use, but will also do well for road riding with tubeless tires 30mm and wider.
The hookless rims have an internal width of 25mm and an external width of 30mm, are 34mm deep and are based on Black Inc’s own hubs with CeramicSpeed bearings.
The specified weight for the wheelset is 1.489 g.
Factor Ostro Gravel specifications, availability and prices
The Factor Ostro Gravel is set to be available from late September, with prices starting at £7,060 / $8,199 / €8,120 for a complete bike.
Factor Ostro Gravel SRAM Red + power meter
- Price: £9,380 / $10,899 / €10,800
- Frame: Factor Ostro Gravel
- Fork: Factor Ostro wide stance fork
- Group: SRAM Red eTap AXS
- Power meter: SRAM Red AXS power meter crankset
- Wheels: Black Inc Thirty-Four Carbon without a hook
- Tires: Goodyear Connector Ultimate, tubeless, 40mm
- Seat post: Factor Ostro Gravel (Zero + 20mm Setback)
- Handlebar/Stem: Schwarz Inc. HB02
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost
Factor Ostro Gravel SRAM Red
- Price: £9,030 / $10,499 / €10,400
- Frame: Factor Ostro Gravel
- Fork: Factor Ostro wide stance fork
- Group: SRAM Red eTap AXS
- Power meter: no
- Wheels: Black Inc Thirty-Four Carbon without a hook
- Tires: Goodyear Connector Ultimate, tubeless, 40mm
- Seat post: Factor Ostro Gravel (Zero + 20mm Setback)
- Handlebar/Stem: Schwarz Inc. HB02
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost
Factor Ostro Gravel SRAM Red XPLR + power meter
- Price: £8,430 / $9,799 / €9,710
- Frame: Factor Ostro Gravel
- Fork: Factor Ostro wide stance fork
- Group: SRAM Red eTap AXS XPLR
- Power meter: SRAM Red AXS power meter crankset
- Wheels: Black Inc Thirty-Four Carbon without a hook
- Tires: Goodyear Connector Ultimate, tubeless, 40mm
- Seat post: Factor Ostro Gravel (Zero + 20mm Setback)
- Handlebar/Stem: Schwarz Inc. HB02
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost
Factor Ostro Gravel SRAM Force + power meter
- Price: £7,570 / $8,799 / €8,720
- Frame: Factor Ostro Gravel
- Fork: Factor Ostro wide stance fork
- Group: SRAM Force eTap AXS
- Power meter: SRAM Force AXS power meter crankset
- Wheels: Black Inc Thirty-Four Carbon without a hook
- Tires: Goodyear Connector Ultimate, tubeless, 40mm
- Seat post: Factor Ostro Gravel (Zero + 20mm Setback)
- Handlebar/Stem: Schwarz Inc. HB02
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost
Factor Ostro Gravel SRAM Force
- Price: £7,400 / $8,599 / €8,520
- Frame: Factor Ostro Gravel
- Fork: Factor Ostro wide stance fork
- Group: SRAM Force eTap AXS
- Power meter: no
- Wheels: Black Inc Thirty-Four Carbon without a hook
- Tires: Goodyear Connector Ultimate, tubeless, 40mm
- Seat post: Factor Ostro Gravel (Zero + 20mm Setback)
- Handlebar/Stem: Schwarz Inc. HB02
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost
Factor Ostro Gravel SRAM Force XPLR + power meter
- Price: £7,570 / $8,799 / €8,720
- Frame: Factor Ostro Gravel
- Fork: Factor Ostro wide stance fork
- Group: SRAM Force eTap AXS XPLR
- Power meter: SRAM Force AXS power meter crankset
- Wheels: Black Inc Thirty-Four Carbon without a hook
- Tires: Goodyear Connector Ultimate, tubeless, 40mm
- Seat post: Factor Ostro Gravel (Zero + 20mm Setback)
- Handlebar/Stem: Schwarz Inc. HB02
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost
Factor Ostro Gravel frameset
- Price: £4,730 / $5,499 / €5,450
- Frame: Factor Ostro Gravel
- Fork: Factor Ostro wide stance fork
- Seat post: Factor Ostro Gravel (Zero + 20mm Setback)
- Handlebar/Stem: Schwarz Inc. HB02
Factor Ostro Gravel frameset + Black Inc wheels
- Price: £6,450 / $7,499 / €7,430
- Frame: Factor Ostro Gravel
- Fork: Factor Ostro wide stance fork
- Wheels: DT Swiss ARC 1600 50/62mm
- Seat post: Factor Ostro Gravel (Zero + 20mm Setback)
- Handlebar/Stem: Schwarz Inc. HB02
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