FACTOR UNVEILS THE ULTIMATE ALL-ROAD BIKE: VISTA

18th October 2018: FACTOR – best known for its high-performance road bikes, including the ONE and O2, supplied to top-level professional race teams – is set to shake up the burgeoning All-Road sector with the launch of its new VISTA carbon road bike, available from tomorrow (Friday 19th October). 

VISTA is a response to the growing trend for road cyclists’ desire to push their rides ever further in terms of terrain, distance and diversity of riding surfaces. This all-new bike pairs FACTOR’s unrivalled expertise in crafting beautifully engineered high-performance machines with a host of innovative technologies designed to optimise handling and rider comfort wherever they choose to go.

No matter how technical, fast or rough the route might be, VISTA is made to cope with every environment. Now no rider needs to be confined to smooth tarmac, but can instead master a mixture of challenging terrains and surfaces, with one incredibly capable, versatile All-Road bike.

FACTOR’s extensive work in optimising the carbon layup on every surface of VISTA is an exercise in finding the best blend of stiffness and compliance for each key element: i.e. the frame, fork, bar-stem, and seatpost. With its own end-to-end design, carbon fibre manufacturing and assembly facilities, FACTOR is able to shorten the development time of each new model while simultaneously expanding the volume of prototyping and testing. The result is VISTA: an All-Road machine with no compromises.

The Frame benefits from size-specific layups (there are five sizes, 49-58cm) that absorb road-buzz, shock and off-road roughness, without undermining its stiffness for direct handling characteristics and efficient power transfer. Careful attention is paid to the joint between headtube and downtube, and the “Power-drive” continuous downtube-chainstay section. 

VISTA’s frame is designed in conjunction with its OTIS-AR external fork (One Total Integration System – All-Road), a design paradigm originally conceived for previous FACTOR road models and optimised for VISTA’s All-Road specialism. The fork has its own layup specifications, and, like the chainstays, takes a 12mm bolt-through axle. Tyre clearance can amply accommodate the 35mm tyres it is optimised for.

Together their geometry creates a balanced stack and reach combination that encourages riding positions characterising the All-Road concept of getting the best from paved roads and beyond. 

Being a wholly integrated unit, VISTA’s OTIS bar-stem features the tailored carbon layup types, providing a stiff, lightweight unit with enhanced shock absorption. It has an ergonomic profile, aerodynamic characteristics and neat internal cable routing, and its height is easily adjustable with stacking spacers.  

The Seatpost’s strong long-fibre monocoque construction features a flat back and otherwise round profile to combine shock absorption and stability while resisting inefficient bobbing under high power. It has a one-bolt alloy clamp and is compatible with Di2 seat-tube batteries. 

Founded in Norfolk, Great Britain, FACTOR is known primarily for its high-performance road bikes and technical partnership with WorldTour team AG2R La Mondiale. Together, FACTOR and AG2R La Mondiale have developed racing bikes that have conquered some of the biggest races in the WorldTour, and it is this same technical insight that is powering FACTOR’s first category expansion beyond road racing bicycles. 

For the design, development and testing of VISTA, FACTOR sought out the expertise of former pro Ryder Hesjedal to provide technical assistance and rider feedback. While best known for winning the Giro d’Italia in 2012, the Canadian’s roots are in the rough, having started out as a mountain biker and winning Cross-Country World Championship medals at Senior, Under-23 and Junior levels. With Ryder’s pedigree, his insight was invaluable in testing and honing VISTA’s adaptable and versatile ride characteristics.