Factor Bikes, a brand known for its aerodynamic approach to gravel racing, appears to be readying an overhaul of its Ostro Gravel model. Spotted during training rides with professional riders Romain Bardet and Magnus Bak Klaris following the Santa Vall gravel race, the new bike suggests Factor is responding to evolving demands in the increasingly competitive gravel discipline. The potential update focuses on increased tire clearance and refined aerodynamics, addressing criticisms of the original Ostro Gravel’s limited capacity for wider tires.
The original Ostro Gravel was a pioneer, alongside the 3T Exploro, in bringing aerodynamic principles to gravel bike design. However, gravel racing has rapidly evolved since 2023, with riders increasingly favoring larger tire volumes for improved comfort and grip. While still a capable machine, the Ostro Gravel has begun to show its age in this shifting landscape. The timing of these sightings, mirroring the pre-race bike reveals common before events like the Tour de France, suggests an imminent launch.
Images posted by Factor Bikes on its official Instagram page showcase Bardet and Klaris riding what appears to be a significantly updated Ostro Gravel. Whether This represents a deliberate marketing tactic or a genuine leak remains to be seen, but the result is generating considerable buzz within the gravel cycling community. The core rationale behind the changes seems clear: to enhance the Ostro’s capabilities in modern gravel racing, where aerodynamic efficiency and tire clearance are paramount.
One of the most significant limitations of the original Ostro Gravel, colloquially known as the “OG,” was its relatively narrow tire clearance. Marketed around a 32mm tire, it shipped with a 43mm tire but had a maximum clearance of 45mm. This is increasingly restrictive as riders adopt wider, mountain bike-inspired tires for improved comfort and traction, particularly on challenging courses like The Traka, where riders were observed maximizing tire space last year. The new version, however, appears to address this issue with a substantially wider fork, with both Bardet and Klaris utilizing tires around 50mm wide.
From initial observations, the new fork design offers ample room for even larger tires, even though sloping shoulders may present a pinch point at the front end. Rear-end clearance has historically been more challenging to achieve, but the updated frame appears to have dropped chainstays to accommodate larger tires. Even with these modifications, the rear tire remains close to the seatpost on the bikes observed, suggesting that while front-end clearance may increase significantly, rear clearance gains could be more modest.
Beyond tire clearance, the new Ostro Gravel appears to incorporate several aerodynamic refinements. The fork legs are deeper in profile, and the top and down tubes appear subtly reshaped to reduce drag. The head tube features a pronounced hourglass shape, a common design element in modern aero bikes. These changes suggest Factor is doubling down on its commitment to aerodynamic efficiency, even as tire clearance becomes a greater priority.
It’s also likely that the new bike will feature a 1x-only drivetrain. Factor’s Aluto model remains compatible with 2x setups, but front derailleurs can compromise tire clearance and aerodynamic performance. Ditching the inner chainring would allow for greater tire clearance and a cleaner aerodynamic profile.
(Image credit: David Kennedy)
The observed bikes also featured deeper, unbadged wheels compared to the 34mm all-rounder wheels that ship with the current Aluto model. This suggests that Factor may offer the new Ostro Gravel with more aerodynamic wheelsets, a trend mirroring the increasing emphasis on aero performance in gravel racing. These wheels are approaching the maximum depth allowed for road wheels under UCI regulations, a constraint that does not apply to gravel racing.
While Factor has not yet released official details, Cyclingnews has reached out to the company for comment. The coming months will reveal the full extent of the changes and whether this is indeed a new model or a significant update to the existing Ostro Gravel. The evolution of the Ostro Gravel reflects the broader trends in gravel racing, where riders are demanding bikes that are both aerodynamically efficient and capable of handling challenging terrain with confidence.
As gravel racing continues to evolve, expect to see further innovations in bike design focused on optimizing tire clearance, aerodynamics, and overall performance. The new Factor Ostro Gravel, whatever its final form, is poised to be a significant contender in this rapidly developing segment of the cycling market. Keep an eye on Factor’s official channels for further announcements and details regarding the updated model.
