Factor Ostro VAM 2024 In Depth Review

[@darrenbarlow5759]

Love my Ostro vam. I have the TDF version from 2 years ago. I also put Arundel cages on. Factor make great bikes and they're not too common either. Great review

[@Cat3ForLife]

I'm definitely seeing them popping up more and more. I wonder how much of an impact the Phil Gaimon sponsorship has. Quite a few pro crit racers are on them and I totally know why!

[@coreycannon4511]

Totally agree with you on the review length. The more something costs within its space, the more the extra detail is required. My 15(ish) year old Giant Defy (2X10 105 group, aluminum frame, carbon fork/seatpost) would be worthy of 10-15 minutes at most. For me it’s (almost) perfect for my ability and what I do - and Harv I was willing to spend at the time. If I were to replace it tomorrow, or could go back in time, the only significant changes I’d make are internal cable routing, and the ability to take fatter, tubeless tires. Living in the Kelowna area, I’d love to be able to ride the Myra Canyon and the north half of the Okanagan Rail Trail, which are both gravel.

[@tsutpen36]

Great review. It confirms my decision to get an Ostro VAM. I ordered the same black Ostro VAM with black wheels as yours. I’ve never ridden anything but Tarmacs. I was deciding between the Factor and the Tarmac Pro SL8. The deciding factor was the customization you talked about. I actually like that the branding is subtle. My favorite LBS is a Factor dealer so they’ll build it up and do the bike fit included in the price. I feel like I got great value and I great bike. I’ll write a follow up once I get my bike and put some miles on it.

[@Cat3ForLife]

FWIW, I have an SL5 S Works Tarmac. The person who sold it to me said that it will make me want to ride like an A-hole since it knows 2 speeds - parked and 'a-hole'. I come back to that all the time. I feel like Tarmacs, while great bikes overall, are one-trick ponies. The Ostro VAM truly feels versatile. I can sit on it all day without issue - take it to the coffee shop, and then go hammer on it immediately after.

[@esweg]

Great review. Ironically, I came from the Bianchi to the new factor as well. Same models. I agree with your assessment. Super job.

[@Cat3ForLife]

I love to hear it! I still love my Bianchi, but I can't get behind their new designs. I switched when I was chasing Will down a descent and at over 50mph, my brakes melted trying to corner with him on his new cervelo. I knew I needed to move to discs at that moment.

[@esweg]

@@Cat3ForLife That is scary. Glad you are okay. Enjoy the ride:)

[@williamwalmsley2940]

Excellent review. Thanks for the detail and thoroughness of it! My 2025 race bike is looking like a 58cm Ostro V2 in Pearl White with Dura Ace. Can't wait!

[@Cat3ForLife]

The team my son just signed to is racing that same config except he'll be using a mix of force and red AXS. I think you'll love the new bike!

[@terrellpickett7904]

This was a very informative review. I was literally 50/50 between an V2 Ostro VAM and S-Works SL8 for my current build because I recently cracked the top tube on my Bianchi Specialissima. I also have an Oltre XR4 that I use for crits and this bike is for all of my other road riding. I ended up ordering an RTP SL8 to build custom because the weight of the Ostro was higher than what Factor originally said it would be but I honestly might have felt differently if I had seen your review and real world riding data (especially the comparison with the XR4 with Countervail because I agree with you that it is noticeable). I am looking forward to finishing my SL8 build and I have a buddy that has a V2 Ostro (that is a size smaller than my size), but I am going to try to compare the 2.

[@Cat3ForLife]

I'd love to hear your final comparisons between the 2. Will comes home from college in a month and I'm going to have him thrash the crap out of the Ostro and compare it to his Cervelo. I'll be curious to hear that comparison too. I may have him review his Soloist with SRAM Red '24

[@terrellpickett7904]

@@Cat3ForLifeYou got it, I’ll come back with comments. I have everything except a damn cockpit, which I didn’t realize was going to be such a hassle to source. As soon as a 40x120 in either the Roval Rapide or the EXS Aerover shows up, I’ll order it and finish the build. It’s kind of funny, the celebration of the Ostro customization in this review is the exact reason I decided not to go with the Ostro. I use Assioma pedals and have no use for the 48/35 chainring or the powermeter they force you to buy. That was a $600 unnecessary swing and Factor acted indignant when I tried to get a 50/37 with no powermeter (I did not have nearly the good experience you did with Factor including paying for Prisma paint for a bike I never received but that’s a story for another day). That led me to decide to do a frame-up build and direct comparison of the Ostro frame and the S-works SL8. Im a heavier guy (84Kg) and need all the climbing help I can get so that somewhat dictated the decision. I really wish I could have ridden a new Ostro before making the decision. Again, appreciate you doing such an in-depth review!

[@Cat3ForLife]

@@terrellpickett7904 Man, I'm bummed to hear about that. I had a great order experience. That being said, I did ask for it without a PM and they said no - SRAM only provides them the kit with the PM (which sucks, but I get it). They did have a 50/37 available in the 170mm crank length. Will uses the 50/37, but I just don't climb as well as he does and need that little bit of a boost. Definitely shoot me a few notes on the new build when you get it done!

[@andrewbaggett8664]

I might have missed it, but I didn’t catch which size it was (for the weight comparison). Also how does this match up with your height and Factor’s recommended sizings? Great review BTW, my Ostro v1 has just been written off in a crash and I loved it so much I’ll hopefully be replacing it with an Ostro v2

[@Cat3ForLife]

Yeah, I totally forgot to mention. It's a 54. I'm 5'9" and ride a 55 on my Bianchi. I could DEFINITELY go with a 53 on the Bianchi. Just like on this, I could totally ride a 52. However, I do prefer to be a little stretched rather than a little cramped. In all, I think their sizing guides are pretty solid. The other nice thing - they don't have any one measurement on their bikes that is crazy out of the ordinary like a super tall head tube or long top tube with short down tube config (like Pinarello).

[@andrewbaggett8664]

@@Cat3ForLife superb. Thanks for the reply. I'm 5ft 11 and I'll be on a 54 (same as my v1.0)

[@duncancycles]

Excellent review

[@Cat3ForLife]

Thanks!

[@ilja2947]

I had this bike on my wish list because of the integrated aero extension for the handlebar. However, I didn't expect these attachments bolts to be so prominent. Are the very noticeable when your put your hands right above them?

[@Cat3ForLife]

Not in the slightest. And I added them on. They come with very small rubber grommets instead, but I added the bolts to add a pop of color. Sadly, the bolts that I bought from Amazon 'looked' to be low-profile. They indeed were not. If you choose to use bolts instead of the rubber grommets (which will promptly fall out, btw), if you go with low profile ones, you'll be happy. That being said, I definitely don't have any issues with them on the tops. In fact, they add a little grippy comfort.

[@ilja2947]

@@Cat3ForLife Thanks for the reply and your in-depth review. Very much appreciated. Sent the link to a friend who was going for the new Aeroad.

[@farnchristmas337]

Same gear ratio as the Bianchi? Hows the climbing performance?

[@Cat3ForLife]

Exact same ratio. I climb a LOT. I can't say that, despite the little extra weight that I've noticed any degradation in performance on the climbs. That's saying quite a bit since the Bianchi is insanely good on climbs.

[@joemendozaCAN]

Heavy bike! 😁

[@Cat3ForLife]

You know it!!!

[@MrSzwarz]

99% of carbon bikes, are manufacture with the same old layup technology. Already achieved years ago perfection with this limited technology. So all bikes, are very much the same, besides colors scheme, weight, and finish quality. 700g or 900g makes no difference, because if you buy heavier frame, you can afford to purchase light wheel set, tires, groupset, handlebar, stem, saddle or other components, so to achieve the low weight is not a problem. The problem is with comfort, stability, and the of quality of ride. The costs of manufacturing are high, but they do not reflect the real costs, and paying 4-6K for the frame makes no sense. They excellent manoy making machines ; )