I bought the same bike i am 1,84 cm tall and I had doubts between size 56/58, finally chose 56 I think that I made the right choice, It is and incredible bike, fast and comfortable Many thanks for your review 👏👏
Great video. Was looking at disc brake bikes last year, ended up purchasing an Ostro VAM. As you say great bottom bracket and love the bars. All adds to the feel of speed.
Rode an Ostro Vam for 2 rides....it was quite comfortable, but I hated how it felt descending - not sure how to say it say it - it simply did not make me feel confident. Have not felt that way on other bikes and I know the roads used well...so it was the bike for sure. Cannot explain it as I really wanted to like the bike...unbelievably light and quite comfortable.
I’ve had a similar experience and it was down to the stack height of the bike. Especially when descending I feel like the stack/larger frames feel less comfortable underneath me as there’s more frame to ‘catch the wind’. When I downsized this felt better and more comfortable for me. I had the same when I was riding my old rim brake and then started riding the EnVe Melee with a lower stack. It because a lot more enjoyable to descend
Hey Max! Have you heard about the upcoming indieVelo Grand Tour later next month? It’s a 5 day stage race with 6 stages. GC, mountain, and sprint jerseys are all to fight for! Would make for incredible YT content! It’s a team race too so get your crew together and prepare your tactics!
The Factor stuff is very nice. I think when you look at their products they do seem to be less gimmicky, I mean it's like the design has been thoughtfully considered with no faff. And their frames don't look boxy and chunky like may others.
@@thewattlife just had his: '' You guys are getting paid?!'' moment 😄 Factor has some very nice bikes and a great website (bike builder), but I wouldn't describe Factor as the best price/quality
I'm 183cm and I'm riding a 57" and fits fine I've always rode a 56 and also tried a 53cm when I went from 53 to 57 tho8ght 57bwas way too big felt like I was riding a massive big too big and thrn after few rides felt normal which is odd 😂
Did you manage to weigh it? That’s one area I don’t see too much data on from independent people. I’m surprised Cyclist mag hasn’t been given one to test.
The new T1550 has a better bottom bracket- a T47, which I think is the same as the Factor. If they did the T1500 in a plain carbon look with less graphics then it really would be a lower price direct competitor to the Ostro, but you’d have to convince them to make an unpainted one. I haven’t ridden the aeroad, but I really like the geometry of the T1550 and could ride a large (55) while I was on a 54 Factor which gave me less room but only slightly. Everything on the Factor is nice- the bar tape, the shape of the bars, the bottom bracket- the ZERO SL bars aren’t shaped as nicely, but that’s not to say there’s anything wrong with them but ergonomically they are more simple. I know canyon do a lot of demo days so reach out and see if you can go ride one. The Factor is the expensive choice, the Aeroad I haven’t ridden and the T1550 I like very much but you would most likely have to build it yourself or pay a bike shop
the bike is great but the "BLACK INC" on the wheels just looks "naff" to me. Maybe if it was in a different font? Can't deny - ENVE have the best wheel graphics! (Nobody suggest Comic Sans!)
I think you have the option to buy the whole bike without wheels- so if you already have a nice set up you don’t have to take the Black Inc wheels. As a man who has put a monogram on his own wheels- I reserve judgement on brands who splash logos on their wheels 🤣😝
We didn’t change the saddle height at all really. +/- 1mm. This bike hasn’t had a bike fit, but I did try and take a few measurements across but also ride enough to get my saddle and get it pretty bang on without a measure tape
Straight seat post and interestingly what I had set up on my original bike was pretty exact as to what was suggested. The stem for the 54 should have been 100mm
@@thewattlife we are about the same size it sounds like but that would be a bit compact for me on the 54. I definitely need the setback post but either a 110 or 120 stem running 170 cranks.
Good question- I haven’t had the chance to ride a Raptor but I will make an effort to go up and ride one for a review and keep this in mind. I might try and find which open mould the Raptor comes from too
Yes- I cut that part out as I didn’t think ppl would care. I ride a 172.5 and it recommended I try a 175- partly I think because my lower back isn’t very flexible so it doesn’t close my hip angle.
I think the best value for money Bike is the Van Rysel RCR Pro 7.3KG £5500 it's 400grams off The Pro Van Rysel Pro Team Bike which is £9000 Weighs 6.9KG.
Ouff that’s a good question and if I’m 100% honest I think I prefer the geometry of the Melee. Was just so nice to ride. But the styling and the CeramicSpeed BB on the Factor are cool. If I got a Melee it would cost me a bunch of cash to get it kitted out how I wanted it. I don’t like the two piece bar and stem. When I had it, it was only available in one colour, which is mental! A lot of people buy bikes in how they look and EnVe probably need to understand that. If I wanted fast and flat then I’d go Factor 54, if I wanted hills and all rounder then I’d go EnVe 56
@@thewattlife I have the Ostro vam 2 at the moment and thinking of swapping over to the melee. Custom paint job dura ace di2 and full aero integrated handlebar. Chris king BB. Difficult to pull the trigger because the Ostro is a joy to ride but I like the classic looks of the melee.
Yeah Enve going to hookless is a bit of a PR issue. Means you can only run them tubeless and even then… well we all know the incidents. I’m meeting them in a few weeks to chat wheels so will see what they have to say
@@thewattlife😂😂 they are lovely, the Ultegra version comes in over £9000 though - very expensive. I have been considering one, choice would’ve been made by now if it was £2000 cheaper!
I still don't get it, bikes like Factor, S-Works, Look 795 Blade SR, and many others are a waste of money for average cyclist, they are not comfortable, stiff, and super expensive. If you cycle over 70km it is like riding on the brick. Ostro uses ol carbon lay up technology, it has ist limitations, (eg adding additional material is impossible) and imperfections. Also, you have not tried TIME Alpe d'Hues 01. This is the best bike ever, if you like balance, stiffness, and control with exceptional technology. Using Japanese or American made steel bearing with higher smoothness give an identical effect and BB quality.
I've heard the Porsche GTRS is a hard uncomfortable ride, but i still want one. Fast is fast- and yes most people dont need the extra seconds over a 20km TT and a few grams might not make much of a difference to a weekend group ride at 30kph, but theres more to bikes- you have to want to ride it.
Men who work hard and are passionate about hobbies are willing to spend money. Boats, watches, sports cars, bikes, motorcycles, audiophile equipment - it’s a big list. And there are women who will drop insane money on designer clothes, shoes, and handbags:
I bought the same bike i am 1,84 cm tall and I had doubts between size 56/58, finally chose 56 I think that I made the right choice, It is and incredible bike, fast and comfortable
Many thanks for your review 👏👏
Very informative video and well worth watching 👀🚴♂️👍
Thank you man
Great video. Was looking at disc brake bikes last year, ended up purchasing an Ostro VAM. As you say great bottom bracket and love the bars. All adds to the feel of speed.
Rode an Ostro Vam for 2 rides....it was quite comfortable, but I hated how it felt descending - not sure how to say it say it - it simply did not make me feel confident. Have not felt that way on other bikes and I know the roads used well...so it was the bike for sure. Cannot explain it as I really wanted to like the bike...unbelievably light and quite comfortable.
I’ve had a similar experience and it was down to the stack height of the bike. Especially when descending I feel like the stack/larger frames feel less comfortable underneath me as there’s more frame to ‘catch the wind’. When I downsized this felt better and more comfortable for me.
I had the same when I was riding my old rim brake and then started riding the EnVe Melee with a lower stack. It because a lot more enjoyable to descend
That colourway looks 😎
The bare carbon is 🥵🥵
Great video, Max
Bike fit without hoods is insane
Great review well done
Love a factor ❤
Stunning bikes
Hey Max! Have you heard about the upcoming indieVelo Grand Tour later next month?
It’s a 5 day stage race with 6 stages. GC, mountain, and sprint jerseys are all to fight for!
Would make for incredible YT content! It’s a team race too so get your crew together and prepare your tactics!
Hey man no I haven’t but will definitely look into this because I’m keen.
My turbo broke the other day so I have to set another one up asap
The Factor stuff is very nice. I think when you look at their products they do seem to be less gimmicky, I mean it's like the design has been thoughtfully considered with no faff. And their frames don't look boxy and chunky like may others.
Unfortunately they spend a lot of money in marketing, which you're also paying for
Wait…. So should I ask for money next time?!? Lol
But yes World Tour teams must be expensive to sponsor I should imagine
@@thewattlife just had his: '' You guys are getting paid?!'' moment 😄 Factor has some very nice bikes and a great website (bike builder), but I wouldn't describe Factor as the best price/quality
I'm 183cm and I'm riding a 57" and fits fine I've always rode a 56 and also tried a 53cm when I went from 53 to 57 tho8ght 57bwas way too big felt like I was riding a massive big too big and thrn after few rides felt normal which is odd 😂
Nice bike 🔥🔥
Cheers ✌🏻
Bought one (Ostro Vam) 2nd hand. Unbelievable machine 🤘
Awesome, hope you love it. What frame size and how tall are you?
@@thewattlife thanks 🙏 I’m 1.73m (at 55 years old I lost 3-4 cm from when I was younger 😳), frame 54 feels bang on. Every ride PB’s getting smashed 🤘
Honestly- it makes a few degree of gradient feel flat
Did you manage to weigh it? That’s one area I don’t see too much data on from independent people. I’m surprised Cyclist mag hasn’t been given one to test.
Random question - which glasses are you wearing?
They are SunGod Airas or the Vulcans
How would you compare that to your t1550? Im on the fence between the ostro, t1550, and aeroad. Thank you for your time!
The new T1550 has a better bottom bracket- a T47, which I think is the same as the Factor.
If they did the T1500 in a plain carbon look with less graphics then it really would be a lower price direct competitor to the Ostro, but you’d have to convince them to make an unpainted one.
I haven’t ridden the aeroad, but I really like the geometry of the T1550 and could ride a large (55) while I was on a 54 Factor which gave me less room but only slightly.
Everything on the Factor is nice- the bar tape, the shape of the bars, the bottom bracket- the ZERO SL bars aren’t shaped as nicely, but that’s not to say there’s anything wrong with them but ergonomically they are more simple.
I know canyon do a lot of demo days so reach out and see if you can go ride one.
The Factor is the expensive choice, the Aeroad I haven’t ridden and the T1550 I like very much but you would most likely have to build it yourself or pay a bike shop
@thewattlife wow. Thats an extensive advice. Thank you so much! I appreciate your time and wisdom! 🙏
Awesome how much does it cost for the ID match ? Pete 🚴🏻👍
£300. Don’t tell them I said this, but you might be able to wangle some of the cost off it if you end up buying a bike 😜
the bike is great but the "BLACK INC" on the wheels just looks "naff" to me. Maybe if it was in a different font? Can't deny - ENVE have the best wheel graphics! (Nobody suggest Comic Sans!)
I think you have the option to buy the whole bike without wheels- so if you already have a nice set up you don’t have to take the Black Inc wheels.
As a man who has put a monogram on his own wheels- I reserve judgement on brands who splash logos on their wheels 🤣😝
Frankly when the bike is moving it will look just like the enves 😂
What height did the ID match set your saddle at and was it any different to a previous bike fit?
We didn’t change the saddle height at all really. +/- 1mm.
This bike hasn’t had a bike fit, but I did try and take a few measurements across but also ride enough to get my saddle and get it pretty bang on without a measure tape
What stem length did it suggest for you and would you ride the straight or setback seatpost?
Straight seat post and interestingly what I had set up on my original bike was pretty exact as to what was suggested.
The stem for the 54 should have been 100mm
@@thewattlife we are about the same size it sounds like but that would be a bit compact for me on the 54. I definitely need the setback post but either a 110 or 120 stem running 170 cranks.
How does Factor compare to Raptor with the wide/external frame for the bottom bracket? Do they feel similar?
Good question- I haven’t had the chance to ride a Raptor but I will make an effort to go up and ride one for a review and keep this in mind.
I might try and find which open mould the Raptor comes from too
@@thewattlife Looking forward to seeing the video when it happens 😁
Would i be a size 52 if i am 175cm? Usually i ride 54 on trek
I imagine you might be able to fit a 52, depends how you like to ride and if you like riding a bike with a higher stack height
My dream bike max have win lottery buy factor bike 😂
I will buy 2 if I win the lottery
Does the id match adjust crank length?
Yes- I cut that part out as I didn’t think ppl would care.
I ride a 172.5 and it recommended I try a 175- partly I think because my lower back isn’t very flexible so it doesn’t close my hip angle.
But yes- it looks at hip angle and will suggest crank length too
I think the best value for money Bike is the Van Rysel RCR Pro 7.3KG £5500
it's 400grams off The Pro Van Rysel Pro Team Bike which is £9000 Weighs 6.9KG.
Would love to take an RCR Replica out for a ride
@@thewattlife I'm sure if you Emailed a Decathlon Sales Rep for your Area, They Would Let You Take One out for a Review 👍
How to compare the enve Melee vs the Ostro vam?
Ouff that’s a good question and if I’m 100% honest I think I prefer the geometry of the Melee. Was just so nice to ride. But the styling and the CeramicSpeed BB on the Factor are cool.
If I got a Melee it would cost me a bunch of cash to get it kitted out how I wanted it. I don’t like the two piece bar and stem. When I had it, it was only available in one colour, which is mental! A lot of people buy bikes in how they look and EnVe probably need to understand that.
If I wanted fast and flat then I’d go Factor 54, if I wanted hills and all rounder then I’d go EnVe 56
@@thewattlife I have the Ostro vam 2 at the moment and thinking of swapping over to the melee. Custom paint job dura ace di2 and full aero integrated handlebar. Chris king BB. Difficult to pull the trigger because the Ostro is a joy to ride but I like the classic looks of the melee.
If I could get a Chris King/Enve build together then that might be my preferred way to go. Such a good looking bike and loved riding it
@@thewattlife only issue I have with the enve 4.5 SES is that they are hookless. Not a fan of those hookless rims.
Yeah Enve going to hookless is a bit of a PR issue. Means you can only run them tubeless and even then… well we all know the incidents.
I’m meeting them in a few weeks to chat wheels so will see what they have to say
The real question is… why is your bike in the kitchen? 🤣👍
Obviously you’ve never lived in a tiny flat in London!!!!
Pinerello Dogma F is about 1/2 sqr ft prime London real estate!!!
FML
You should buy the new Factor Ostro Vam.
You sir, are speaking sense. But my bank says NO
@@thewattlife😂😂 they are lovely, the Ultegra version comes in over £9000 though - very expensive. I have been considering one, choice would’ve been made by now if it was £2000 cheaper!
I quite want to test a Sram version- I’m a bit of a Sram fan boy too.
@@thewattlife SR*M!? 🤮 no thanks! 😂
@@thewattlife Do it! I have Sram Red and it's....alright 😆
Sell all your Winspace bikes and get a Factor ...or Tarmac 😝
I still don't get it, bikes like Factor, S-Works, Look 795 Blade SR, and many others are a waste of money for average cyclist, they are not comfortable, stiff, and super expensive. If you cycle over 70km it is like riding on the brick. Ostro uses ol carbon lay up technology, it has ist limitations, (eg adding additional material is impossible) and imperfections. Also, you have not tried TIME Alpe d'Hues 01. This is the best bike ever, if you like balance, stiffness, and control with exceptional technology. Using Japanese or American made steel bearing with higher smoothness give an identical effect and BB quality.
I've heard the Porsche GTRS is a hard uncomfortable ride, but i still want one.
Fast is fast- and yes most people dont need the extra seconds over a 20km TT and a few grams might not make much of a difference to a weekend group ride at 30kph, but theres more to bikes- you have to want to ride it.
Ill try and find a way to test and ride more bikes, especially with steal bearings
Men who work hard and are passionate about hobbies are willing to spend money. Boats, watches, sports cars, bikes, motorcycles, audiophile equipment - it’s a big list. And there are women who will drop insane money on designer clothes, shoes, and handbags:
Hey OP - an ALPE D'HUEZ DISC with SRAM FORCE D2 AXS is $8200. Your argument is pretty flawed.
The beauty of it is, you don’t have to “get it”. It’s not your money.
Just another Chinese frame
What would be your preferred country of origin?