Thanks Jarrod, the challenge is actually ‘getting’ the bikes. I’m hoping to be able to set up some relationships with local bike shops in Sydney where they lend me a bike for a few days, lets see how we go.
I watch an old UT of yours about the Bianchi and I could see that quiver of love, laced with a sincerity that money couldn’t buy. I wanted one. Still do. Unfortunately every time I got close to saying I can afford this discretionary spend it went up by €500. Now at €8000 for an Ultegra Di2, my sincere love for it doesn’t have the money so couldn’t buy. The same reason was a factor in not buying a Factor. The cost of R&D in the bike industry clearly outstrips that of the space exploration industry.
I think a good mentality towards that is treating the bike industry as the lady’s handbags industry. Women spent insanely amount of money on that thing without asking questions of the utility or the quality. The “luxury brand” also just raise their bags $500 or so every year and everyone is OK with it and the increased price tag even made women more craving it. So I’d say if you are an old school cyclist guy not the Lycra fashion boys these days, STOP BEING THE VICTIM. Do not try to make sense of it because it’s designed being out of sense. Just like the ladies handbag, do not try to argue the price and sanity with your lady friend. The moment you start question it, you are lost. The bike industry now is the same, bike is a simple “machine” compared with cars or other real stuff, it doesn’t need sophisticated “R&D”. It just takes the marketing route of fashion. What “R&D” cost of a $2000 handbag takes??? You start asking the question, you lost. Just ignore it and have fun with whatever you have. If you still don’t have a power meter, get one, it will reveal the truth of cycling, that it’s you that is underpowered, not any “machine”. You are the same guy everyday, even if you find your power goes up 10 or 20 watts on your dream machine, IT’S YOU that are putting more power, not the “machine”. Even if it could be the new bike makes you going harder or you ride more so you are stronger, but still IT’S YOU THAT BECOME STRONGER. Without a power meter you could be deceived that it’s the bike, but actually bike is just a cosmetic thing now.
@@xuchenglin6256 all true. I am an old school bloke and cyclist, but one who understands the value of an expensive handbag more than you know. My experience is that this kind of purchase alway leads to a better ride, whereas that of a bicycle much less so.
@@aidanmasterson50 wow seems “I barked the wrong tree” here 😅 haha. But my point be, luxury bikes are luxuries, it makes you feel “good”, but just do not try to make sense of it. Don’t let the price tag and marketing approach of the brands make you unhappy. I myself drive a “luxury” brand car, even though I know it’s basically the same as a base model Toyota. And I must say what make me so anti luxury bike industry is it’s even less than the handbags. Ladies handbags industry don’t lie. They don’t claim “Our bag is 5% lighter” or “with the same form factor we have 20% more capacity” or “we can makes you 20% faster.” I don’t have a problem with pure fashion/luxury approach, just don’t lie to the other audiences, try to convince the majority of the market “you have to spend $2000 or $4000 to start cycling seriously” or “this $$$$ parts could save you X second or Y% faster”. Current trend is the brands are making people believe that you have to spend $$$$ to just get into cycling, that’s just basically a lie. Ask a non-cyclist and you’ll get a lot of response that “nah, it’s too expensive, I’ll just run or go gym”. This is what makes me hate these trends.
@@xuchenglin6256 totally agree with you. They just play with our feeling, imagine and sometimes social status on the group ride. It's just marketing positions strategy that many of companies utilise to hit their targets. For example AB OSPW for 700 bucks..... Does it make any sense?
I get the emotional attachment, or lack thereof. I was split between a Factor and Chapter 2, in what definitely started as a hunt for an aero bike, but went off the rails. Came down to aesthetics and the handlebars, the factor bars felt very shallow and cramped on the drops. Your opinion that the Chapter 2 bars were a highlight helped justify the emotional attachment to the bike, enjoyed the build and love the new bike. I’m sure I would have liked the Factor maybe just as much.
Crazy timing on this. I just watched that Chris Froome review several hours ago for the first time. I thought this was an old vid that popped in to my feed because I watched that. 😂 Quite liked reviews from both Chris's. Lol
I would value your opinion above a lot of others on RU-vid Chris . I like the way you talked about the super six Evo you rode . Your review on the factor was great . Most reviews seem to be one way or the other . I like the way you were unemotional about the factor
Appreciate that Rusty. Will try to get my hands on a few more bikes in 2023, trying to set up some relationships with LBS’s to try a few … see how we go
I will be riding one tomorrow for the first time, and I purchased it from this standpoint: from a price perspective, who was offering the best bang for the buck and, at that time, this was it. Canyon never has bikes in stock, I’m not paying 14-15k for a bike, when I can get something that’s in the ballpark for less than 10. I can guarantee I will NEVER see the advertised time gains, at 45kph, for the “lighter, stiffer, faster” marketing giants. But I do like a bike that accelerates well, and prior to your review, many others have echoed that sentiment.
Hi Chris, I own this bike too. I was hesitant to buy it at first because it looked relatively boring. My LBS had a really good relationship with Factor was able to pass on discounts that was not available with other brands, so it was definitely worth considering on that level. The LBS owner (fully aware of the conflict of interest) said that it's more about the geometry and total package experience. If felt the Factor delivered that and I still have a dumb grin on my face when I ride it. I don't know what it is, but it has an X factor.
Hi Chris, the only bike I have ever felt emotionally attached to is my late father’s Racelight with aluminium frame and carbon rear triangle and forks. I brought back to Oz with me after his passing at his request, built an 11 speed Ultegra indexed GS on it and some Magic SL carbon hoops. It’s actually an absolute dreamy smooth ride now and the “old man” is most definitely with me every time I ride it on special occasions. Now, the reason I’m commenting here is because I’ve just sold off the Emonda SLR Red AXS with SLR37 hoops and about to jump on the Ostro Vam with Red/Force AXS and a lovely pair of Fulcrum Speed Lite 40 hoops. It’s all about the journey as they say. Thanks for yours and Joel’s ‘casts, they’re fascinating, interesting, challenging and fun to watch and listen to. I’m hooked just like my rims so I won’t be going anywhere. Cheers boys from the Goldy.
kudos to you Chris - another quality piece of content, I'm really enjoying going back through your archives also - all really useful, free content - much appreciated :)
I love my OSTRO VAM. I'm just a weekend warrior and get about 3-4 rides a aweek. This is a very comfortable and very fast bike. Great video. Keep them coming.
@@G-G._ I’m in sales. Lol. I get home at a decent time and once the nicer weather comes and the suns up longer so it allows me to ride when I get home. Lol.
Yep. Good comments and would be in agreement with every point. The summing up spot on. Some folk love art..history..style..some just want the latest tech. World is big enough for all opinions.
Great video. I really like the aesthetics of the factor. I own a TCR and although I enjoy and what it gives me, I don’t feel a loyalty to it or the brand. So I can relate to that. Factor just makes beautiful bikes.
For me, the emotional attachment was easy - the most recent Canadian stage winner at the Tour was on an Ostro (Hugo Houle). Plus my favourite rider (Woods, from my home town) and a number of other Canadians at IPT are all on Ostros.
Great review Chris, very entertaining as always. Bit off topic, but I guess you’re both training and racing on 28mm tyres? There’s a discussion right there.
Bikes are simply overpriced, so if someone wants to put money on branded "super bikes", with average or poor quality, not much value, please do. I ride bikes worth 2K, few years od and with mechanical groupset, wieight 8kg, frames are 950g. Well. They all are made in China, and Taiwan anyway.
Great review Nice bike & love thet you don't see that many which ticks a lot of boxes for me Unfortunately I already have a nice bike thats very rare and all the boxes fully ticked for now - but Factor would definitely be a brand I'd look seriously at
@@ChrisMillerCycling nice to have bike reviews that aren't just endless marketing BS or bias because someone owns the bike & has a need to justify why they spent many many buckets of cash on it
I ride a 2014 Scott Addict Team Issue. I've had it for nearly 8 years and have total and complete emotional attachment going on. If ever I got the chance to replace it, the new Addict RC models sit as first option on the wish list (because emotional attachment etc). Focus Izalco Max are sexy af also, but these Ostro are the smokey. The dark horse. The intrigue of, "If I really did have the option, would emotion really be enough to keep me on a Scott...?" I love the design, the skinny seat stays scream all day comfort, and from everything I have heard, they are genuinely rapid machines.... And I could always keep my Addict for a bit of fun on the side, right?? 😉
@@AdamEwart This would make sense if you are Australian. Not so much if you from elsewhere. I remember Scott from the ski pole and goggle industry. They made some awkward and, ahem, "Ok" bicycle products, but even that really only got going in mid 90's. I think I have that correct-- and even then... yeah... well. Not a very storied, passion-inducing history (real or imagined) for most folks. Certainly looks a bit pale next to the Bianchi history starting in 1885. (you decide if that lineage still applies.) I can see why this brand would draw some affection from the Australians because of the UCI pro team which started 'way back' in 2010 or something like that.
@@alanschlug5418 no... Forget storied and passionate history, blah, blah, blah. I like the bike because it is light. It is nimble, it's fast (enough), and I have been all over this country riding it. I pretty much destroyed it the first year I owned it, in a bunch crash that resulted in the rear triangle cracked in 6 places. It was repaired by a very reputable carbon repair workshop, and has not missed a beat since. My love of the bike is because of familiarity. Reliability. That man/machine connection that only occurs after thousands of hours together. Yes, it is a Green Edge Team Issue, but I only bought it because I liked the look of it and got a great deal at my LBS. Maybe Scott are not the Colnago type, or Pinarello (which are ugly af anyway), but they do make very good bikes these days.
Hey Chris good analogy re: brand. I had a Supersix 2013, it was hot, I loved the brand and the bike. Now I ride a Winspace SLC2.0, it handles tge same, kicks like a rocket is amazing but do I love it? No. There is no love affair with the brand. Am I prepared to spend an additional $5-6k to have a brand name bike? No.
As always, or at least most of the times 😜, great video! Would love to see how you like the Nimbls and compare them to your others as then (cycling) shoe king.
That frame is so soft I used it for my gravel bike. Need proof, I'll send you photos. Although it looked cool, it did not put down the power. Sold it within 6 months.
Hey Chris! I saw your last video with Jay and I was wondering… did you get a chance to ride his bike, if not have you had a chance to ride the new Aeroad? How does the Factor compare to it? I have an Aeroad and I love it, but ignorance is bliss, and I have not tried many bikes. I am taller than most at 6’3, so not many of my friends bikes fit me. Thanks for the upload and I look forward to more great content from your channel. Keep up the good work! Peace😎
Hey QP, I jumped on it very briefly after our ride, sadly it was 2 sizes too big for me to get any idea of the feel. He did mention the Colnago was lighter then the Aeroroad, but not much else.
Worth noting for disclosure that Chris Froome is neither unbiased or impartial due to being an investor/major share holder of Factor/Black Inc and featuring on the board of directors. He raves on as passionately about Factor as he does the Hammerhead GPS of which he also has a financial investment with
Nice one here Chris 🤙. Okay are you going to aus nats? Did see Caleb on your Strava Maybe get your people to speak to his and a whole lot of other riders ‘their’ people for some chats, 1 lap with Nero? You might end up doing 50 haha. Maybe a quick fire same 5 questions? Are you going to TDU? Cheers 👍
Bike is amazing, with that being said as far as issues like SL7 I would delete that part of your review if I was you. Without being more descriptive “the top of the fork” I will leave it at that, only because I like Factor, has had some issues, maybe very big issues, as far as why his bike is lighter and how to get it to -7 it’s couple things, his group-set is lighter, his rotors are lighter, his wheels are lighter, etc… my Ostro with 5.6 SES and Red Axs was 7.28 it all depends what components you have hanging on the bike.
Hey Chris! Great Video. I'm in the market and this answered a lot of my questions. Quick question! You said you're riding a 54 frame. How tall are you? Thx! @Chris Miller Cycling
2nd time I've watched this and each time, "this is a f*cking rocket ship" cracks me up. You are right when you can feel it you genuinely feel it and no other way of putting it. I have a bike (non-mainstream) but it is a "f*cking rocket ship" I have a noah ridley sl; sworks venge vias 2017 ; Scott foil 2015 & 2020 but this thing feels faster than all of them the sworks is faster but sh1t me is it uncomfortable and has no brakes. Do this wins hands down and it is t even a major brand.
Just one comment, that I will leave hanging. FACTOR OSTRO or SEKA Exceed? Are the seat stays secret, is this where the prestige R & D comes in, how long till they are 'copied'?
Chris it seems to me there is a little power break in your pedal stroke, did you have some pain when you recorded or is your saddle too high or your ankle opening up or something? Just my 🧐 from 🇦🇹😅
If u lose the Dura Ace Crankset 2 a Rotor ALDHU Carbon Crankset u will drop 100 grams . Non Power meter 4 both . And 77 grams on Look Keo Ti Carbon Pedals
Bicycle R and D is evolution. Of course the 1st one is expensive but subsequent bicycles in that range are not reinvented from the ground up and should not have the same ground up costs. These things are atrociously expensive.
hi Chris, (big disclaimer, I am gonna say something hyper generic and will avoid naming any brand)...I am not speaking about Factor, but "many brands" are actually known not only to produce in Taiwan but also to buy their designs from engineers over there, which indeed have a much more in-depth expertise to what can be achieved nowadays with materials and molds..as you say, Bianchi or Colnago have their charm, definitely..but wouldn't this charm completely disappear if you knew that even the design is "made in Taiwan"?
Hey GC, check out the video I did about the truth of bike frames “the story behind the new Nero bike” I go into all that details. I totally hear you, it’s a very murky system.
However, everyone takes Tarmac SL7 which weighs less and is THE BIKE par excellence apparently by hearing amateurs and professionals. Factor is definitely below
So I asked Jay that question, does he think pros get special frames. He was adamant they don’t, but that not to say Chris Froome doesn’t get special treatment.
