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CeramicSpeed bearings come stock in the bottom bracket and headset(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Black Inc carbon cages take care of bidon retention(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Black Inc components furnish the majority of this particular Factor O2 VAM build(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The Di2 junction box is located in the bar end(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
An one-piece bar-stem ensures there is some semblance of cable integration(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Our Factor O2 VAM Disc weighed in at 6.78kg for a size 56cm(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The black-on-black colourway (with a hint of red) keeps things stealthy(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Pandering to the needs of both the traditionalist and the new world order of disc-brake actuation, the Factor O2 VAM represents the British firm's most athletic road bike to date. Designed to excel in the high mountains where steep, unrelenting inclines are the order of the day, it's not surprising that the raw, unpainted carbon frame has been plastered with the VAM moniker. After all, these three letters are synonymous the world over with climbing mastery.
Having recently returned to the upper echelons of the sport, supplying bikes to WorldTour outfit Israel Start-Up Nation, Factor is looking to re-establish itself as a serious contender in the highly competitive performance road bike space with the O2 VAM.
But just how good is it? A 600km road test through the challenging topography of the Surrey Hills would prove the ideal stress test to answer that question.
Underscored by an oversized downtube and bottom bracket area, slimline seat stays and tapered fork legs the Factor O2 VAM Disc is an intriguing thing to behold, isn't it?
While it adheres to the now-contemporary bicycle design blueprint of dropped seat stays and semi-aero tubing, it was designed with one goal in mind: featherweight performance, as alluded to by the VAM logo.
But why the VAM reference? Well, VAM is an acronym for velocita ascensionale media, an Italian term used to describe the rate at which a rider can climb (average ascending speed). It's a subliminal and tasteful cue that adds impetus to the bike's lightweight demeanour.
Visually, the frame is naked and sports a raw yet functional aesthetic, and the unidirectional carbon-fibre monocoque provides a stunning contrast to the glut of flashy paint jobs popularising the pro peloton of late. Pictured here in stock guise, the only references of colour are the gloss-painted black Factor word-mark logo, red VAM lettering and stylish swooshes scattered about. Each of which can be tailored to meet your design requirements through Factor's in-house Prisma Studio program. This is the colourway you want, though.
Compared to its predecessor, the cable routing has been tidied up - both internally and around the headset, where an integrated Black Inc bar-stem replete with heat shrink tubing takes care of the wires and hoses.
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The gloss-red and black decals do well to complement the matte, unpainted carbon-fibre frame(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The O2 range utilises an integrated seatpost complete with binder wedge (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Another look at the spectacular raw, carbon-fibre finish(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
VAM - an acronym for velocita ascensionale media, an Italian term used to describe the rate at which a rider can climb(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Rolling stock comes in the form of Black Inc 30 carbon wheels (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The O2 model digitisation is pretty stealthy and plays second fiddle to the VAM insignia (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Lightweight recipe and geometry
Save for the additional fork size and minor alteration to the trail number, changes over last season's Factor O2 are difficult to spot and represent more a step up in the manufacturing technique and materials used rather than geometry numbers.
For starters, the carbon-fibre moulding recipe has been updated to help improve stiffness, maximise internal surface smoothness and ensure a better level of carbon compaction through the use of sophisticated internal latex-covered mandrels. The result has culminated in an exceptionally light frame which tips the scales at under 700g. Our fully built test bike weighed in at 6.78kg (56cm).
The VAM utilises three different types of fibres - TeXtreme, pitch fibre and boron fibre - in its construction. TeXtreme is widely known for its decorative weave pattern and while many manufacturers use it purely for its cosmetic properties alone, its 'spread tow' application is better suited for the innermost layers where it has saved weight (around 20 per cent) and improved stiffness.
The most expensive material is the pitch fibre - or high modulus carbon fibre, as it's more commonly referred to in the industry. Its brittle nature (pre-curing) means it's very difficult to work with but its superior strength has seen it used as a reinforcement measure in the chainstays, down tube and top tube.
Boron fibre is another difficult material to manipulate. While it's been applied in and around the seat tube to reduce what Factor calls 'the oil can, buckling effect caused by thin materials', it also offers a notable compliance benefit when it comes to bumpier terrain and lengthier spells in the saddle.
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The cockpit is clean and free of any clutter(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The Black Inc 30 wheel hub bearings come courtesy of CeramicSpeed(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
160mm rotors are fitted both front and rear(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The O2 VAM came tricked out with a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9170 hydraulic groupset as its centrepiece(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
A 52/36T chainring and 11-30T cassette is geared more towards hilly topography(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Fizik's venerable Arione R1 carbon saddle - finished here in Alcantara - offers both lightweight performance and tried-and-tested comfort(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The sum of its parts
As with every model in the Factor portfolio, the O2 VAM Disc can be purchased as a frameset or full build (it's also available in rim-brake guise). Our test bike arrived as a full build and came tricked out with a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9170 hydraulic groupset as its centrepiece. Comprising a 52/36T chainring combo and 11-30T cassette, this particular drivetrain is geared more towards overcoming gravity than straight-line shunt but can still adequately operate at high speeds, albeit at a slightly higher cadence.
Factor has become synonymous with its in-house skunkworks component division, Black Inc, and naturally appoints its bikes with as much of these parts as possible. In this instance, the VAM makes do with a Black Inc-branded seat post, one-piece bar-stem, out-front computer mount and Black Inc 30 lightweight wheels. The balance of the build is garnished with CeramicSpeed bearings in the headset and PF30 bottom bracket, Factor-branded bar tape, carbon cages, bolts, rubber grommets and thru-axles, and a Fizik Arione R1 carbon saddle.
Vittoria's Corsa TLR 28C tyres provided a good trade-off between straight-line and cornering speed (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Ride, handling, performance
The O2 VAM is one of only a handful of bikes that I've managed to gel with almost immediately. The aggressive geometry matched to its lean construction means it's ready to attack the horizon line from the first pedal stroke. It's super responsive, not only to pedal inputs but sudden directional changes too, owing to the ultra-stiff bottom bracket area and taught chassis. Despite it lacking the outright straight-line speed of the Cannondale SuperSix EVO, it's no slouch and can work up a decent head of steam with little fuss.
Of course, you can always unlock extra top-end by swapping out the stock Black Inc 30 wheels for deeper Black Inc 60 rolling stock but this changes the VAM's distinctive character and will only really work if your regular training routes feature predominantly flat roads. If, however, the topography is lumpy and rolling the Black Inc 30s are more than up for the task and provide a communicative platform from which to steer - allowing you to confidently lean into its huge reserves of grip to fully maximise cornering speed. It's all very intuitive.
The Black inc 30 wheels are also fairly immune to cross-winds/sudden gusts and track predictably but you'll need to fiddle a bit with tyre pressure to eke out a balance between pliancy and performance. My psi ratio of 45 front/55 rear using the Vittoria Corsa TLR 28C tyres seemed to provide a good trade-off between straight-line and cornering speed. The rigid and appreciably stiff platform of the O2 VAM has a propensity to err somewhat on the harsh side of the ride quality spectrum which is fine on smoother sections of asphalt but rougher, more abrasive surfaces can get uncomfortable.
Yes, you could trade up some parts if it's a more cosseting ride that you're after but, as I've already stated, this will only take away from the O2 VAM's communicative character and sully the overall racy feel. The only recommendation would be to dabble with tyre choice and pressure - the O2 VAM can accommodate rubber sizes of up 30mm.
The Factor O2 VAM is a master of situations where the road angle tilts upwards and gravity comes into the equation (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Verdict
The Factor O2 VAM Disc can easily hold its own against the segment's best road bikes. It's unquestionably light, superbly efficient on the flats and descends with predictability, sure-footedness and poise. Sure, there are faster bikes out there but unless you're riding at the highest level of the sport or testing it back-to-back against its rivals in a controlled environment those nuances are imperceptible to us mere mortals.
The O2 VAM doesn't profess to be a jack of all trades. It's a master of situations where the road angle tilts upwards and gravity comes into the equation. This is a place where it's at its happiest.
As far as lightweight climbing bikes go, the Factor O2 VAM represents the zenith of the genre and doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it says on the tin. If it's pliancy and outright speed you're after then you're in the wrong place - go find an aero road bike instead.
Aaron was the Tech Editor Cyclingnews between July 2019 and June 2022. He was born and raised in South Africa, where he completed his BA honours at the University of Cape Town before embarking on a career in journalism. Throughout this career, Aaron has spent almost two decades writing about bikes, cars, and anything else with wheels. Prior to joining the Cyclingnews team, his experience spanned a stint as Gear & Digital editor of Bicycling magazine, as well as a time at TopCar as Associate Editor.
Now based in the UK's Surrey Hills, Aaron's life revolves around bikes. He's a competitive racer, Stravaholic, and Zwift enthusiast. He’s twice ridden the Cape Epic, completed the Haute Route Alps, and represented South Africa in the 2022 Zwift eSports World Championships.
