Meet the race-ready road bike from the aerodynamicists who shape Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis
The One started life as a £25k superbike. But how does the latest, considerably cheaper version fare? Let’s get testing to find out if this is The One for you…
This bike began life as the radical, £25k, Beru F1 Systems Factor001 in 2009. The Factor001 could record your core temperature, power, breathing rate and heart beat trace to medical standards. In 2013 a production version was launched as the Factor Vis Vires but it faded from view. Now under new ownership, Factor is on a charge and the One is at the vanguard.
The One is a development of the Vis Vires; it’s matured but not lost its character. The external steerer fork and split down tube are retained and, we’re told, always will be on top models as signature features. The carbon lay-up has been refined to improve both stiffness and comfort.
Our test bike is the range-topper, with the new OTIS (One Total Integration System) fork that features a single aero section in front of the head tube and mounts a Dura-Ace brake in front. The bike also gets a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, Black Inc 45mm carbon clinchers and a carbon-railed Fizik Arione saddle.
The split down tube was originally designed to boost stiffness under power; Factor admit that it was only when a production bike was taken to a wind tunnel that they realised it offered an aero benefit by better managing airflow from the front wheel. The OTIS fork is claimed to be more aero, too, essentially increasing the aerofoil ratio of the head tube. It integrates structurally with the stem so the One is restricted to Factor’s own one-piece cockpit and, so far, there’s no compatible clip-on extension option, though one may follow. If you want clip-ons you’ll need the One-S, which runs a conventional fork. A full-on tri bike is coming soon.
RACING REFLEXES
The flagship Factor has always been an aggressive race bike and the involvement of former pro cyclists Baden Cooke and David Millar in the R&D since the brand changed hands has done nothing to temper that. The geometry is aggressive, the head tube short and the 23mm tyres exacerbate the firm ride. The fork may have changed but it retains the high torsional stiffness that made the Vis Vires so direct. Combined with the sharp angles, it means the One has the reflexes of a highly caffeinated ninja. It’s the bike’s defining characteristic and thankfully stops short of feeling twitchy and wearing.
Factor claim the Twin Vane down tube saves 100g of drag at 40km/h (or around 1sec/km) and on our most oft-ridden roads the One felt quick relative to our power output. That it achieves this without extravagant aerofoils is to the benefit of stability. The wheels are also good in this regard, as 45mm isn’t deep enough to get blown around too much. Braking is adequate in both wet and dry.
While it’s quick and responsive, we’ve a few niggles. It isn’t that light for the price; the ride is firm despite the claimed changes to the carbon lay-up and the skinny, curved seatstays; and, while Factor say it’s possible to fit 25mm tyres to help smooth the ride out, it’d be a tight fit. Its sibling, the One-S, would be a more appropriate choice for tri use but the Factor we’re really excited about is the imminent and all-new Slick aero rig.