looking for Factor Ostro Gravel rider feedback

[cuda]

I'm in window shopping mode for a new gravel bike. I live in a region that doesnt allow for checking out anything in person besides Trek and Spec and Cervelo.
I'm looking online and talking with a sales rep about Factor OG. I've read all the WW stuff and checked geo on GG. I'm trying to get more info on ride quality and personal experiences dealing with Factor. The price is at the pointy end of what I'd like to spend so trying to get as much info as a i can. Side note, D2C bike shopping is fookinghell.
feel free to pm me if you'd prefer
thanks

[Baron Blubba]

What is D2D Bike Shopping?

No experience with the Factor Gravel. Rode a last gen Ostro VAM and was like 'eh, it feels like a road bike made out of carbon.'

[Jeffie]

I have a 52cm OG. I'm 137lbs and have beat on it as hard as a 137lb man can and I've been really happy with it. I also use it as a road bike and it does that well.

The only real issue with the frame is the seatpost binder bolt. Lots of issues I'm sure you have heard about. It has slipped on me in the past.

I think my question back to you is why the OG over say a Crux? My wife crux is lighter and was much cheaper.

If you are going to race gravel and you are looking to save every watt the OG is a great bike. If that isn't you, I'd take a hard look at the Crux.

Happy to answer any specific questions. Mine is built with 12spd DA. I often run 650x47 when racing as tire clearance is limited with front derail.

Jeff

[cuda]

Originally Posted by Baron Blubba

What is D2D Bike Shopping?

No experience with the Factor Gravel. Rode a last gen Ostro VAM and was like 'eh, it feels like a road bike made out of carbon.'

Sorry. Typo D2C. Direct to consumer

So basically “meh” + hype?

[cuda]

Originally Posted by Jeffie

I have a 52cm OG. I'm 137lbs and have beat on it as hard as a 137lb man can and I've been really happy with it. I also use it as a road bike and it does that well.

The only real issue with the frame is the seatpost binder bolt. Lots of issues I'm sure you have heard about. It has slipped on me in the past.

I think my question back to you is why the OG over say a Crux? My wife crux is lighter and was much cheaper.

If you are going to race gravel and you are looking to save every watt the OG is a great bike. If that isn't you, I'd take a hard look at the Crux.

Happy to answer any specific questions. Mine is built with 12spd DA. I often run 650x47 when racing as tire clearance is limited with front derail.

Jeff

So funny you should mention Crux. I’m basically doing everything I can to talk myself out of give my money to Specialize when I know if it was the same bike under a different brand it would be a done deal. Racing is part of the equation the second part is that gravel where I’m at in RI is either connecting gravel segments with lots of tarmac between or putting the bike on the car and doing the travel for gravel trip. I’m looking at bikes equally capable on pavement and off.

[trener1]

I can't really answer your question as I have never ridden one.
But there is a shop local to me that carries Factor and I gotta say they look amazing in person, really beautiful, and the have a custom paint program that is nice.

[fa63]

Just buy a Crux You can run 47mm tires on it with a front derailleur (GRX or SRAM Wide), and it rides exceedingly well on and off pavement. Plus none of the headset cable routing issues to deal with (though the Factor does come with the Ceramic Speed SLT headset bearings which in theory should be very long lasting).

Originally Posted by cuda

So funny you should mention Crux. I’m basically doing everything I can to talk myself out of give my money to Specialize when I know if it was the same bike under a different brand it would be a done deal. Racing is part of the equation the second part is that gravel where I’m at in RI is either connecting gravel segments with lots of tarmac between or putting the bike on the car and doing the travel for gravel trip. I’m looking at bikes equally capable on pavement and off.

[nmrt]

One of the things I do when I compare gravel bikes, especially those gravel bikes I am going to use to ride on interconnecting asphalt is to look at their wheelbase. The Crux for a size 54 has a 1024 mm wheelbase compared to a 1014 mm for the Factor.

The trail of 67 and 61 (for a size 54) for the Crux and the Factor, respectively, is also very different. Taking the wheelbase and the trail together, the Factor will have a lot more road-bike handling manners. If I were going to do the type of gravel riding that you are describing, I would most definitely not get the Crux.

[cuda]

True, thanks for pointing that out. It is definitely something worth noting. My OPEN has good road geo and is not to shabby offroad but I want a bit more trail and front center to improve handling particularly on sketchy descents but also to alleviate toe overlap. Of course having room for more rubber is also part of it but for my situation 38c-40c is plenty.

[Likes2ridefar]

A lbs now sells Factor and today they had a road model frameset that a customer had ordered. It has a beautiful finish, premium looking..one of the nicest I’ve seen recently. I understand they are all custom and made to order?

[cuda]

Originally Posted by Likes2ridefar

A lbs now sells Factor and today they had a road model frameset that a customer had ordered. It has a beautiful finish, premium looking..one of the nicest I’ve seen recently. I understand they are all custom and made to order?

I believe the frames are a typical size range with a few factory determined color ways you can chose from. You can also for $500 get a custom paint job.

[skiezo]

Ive not rode a Factor so no input there. I can say I have 2 gravel bikes and one that I lend out to others that do not have a gravel bike ride my Pivot Vault.
IMHO this is one of the most under rated gravel bike out there. The quality is top notch, it rides and climbs great and holds speed well.
PPl that ride this with me all really like this bike and at least one person ended up with one in their quiver.
Worth looking into.