Factor One: 22 Percent Faster Is Absolute BOLL*X And Everyone Knows It

Factor have launched the Factor One and announced it is more than 22 percent faster than another UCI legal race bike, specifically the Specialized SL8. 22 percent. Not marginal gains. Not free watts. Full on warp drive.

If you are nerdy enough to do maths. The ONE should have 42% less drag as it's speed squared.

In this video I politely ignore the marketing department and apply basic physics, which immediately ruins everything. We look at the frame, the fork, the hinged front end, and a head tube so short it looks like it is trying to hide from responsibility. The integrated cockpit offers fit options best described as optimistic.

Then we move on to the white paper, or as I like to call it, the vibes document. Normalised graphs with no units because numbers are scary. CFD with non rotating wheels because reality is inconvenient. Static rider legs because modelling movement is hard. Claims of net thrust because apparently the bike is now helping you pedal.

To achieve the headline number, the Specialized SL8 in the comparison is conveniently set up with a stack height that would make a Dutch commuter proud. The rider is basically sitting upright, waving to traffic, while the Factor gets to play aero hero.

If you think swapping bikes will take you from 40 kilometres per hour to 50 without changing anything else, congratulations. You are exactly who this marketing was written for.

Are there aero gains on the Factor One. Yes. Mostly at the front end, where every modern aero bike already focuses. Are they worth 22 percent. Only if we are allowed to ignore units, physics, and common sense.

This video is a sarcastic engineering reality check for anyone tired of glossy brochures, sponsored media outlets, and marketing departments treating grown adults like toddlers with credit cards.

Like the video if you enjoy sarcasm backed by engineering. If not, crack on and enjoy the fantasy numbers.

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