Perfection isn’t something to use lightly, but Factor is onto something. On paper, it’s hard to ignore just how incredible the new Factor MONZA might be for competitive riders and regular folks who ride hard and still want a fast, all-rounder but don’t have a lifetime chiropractor pass. The MONZA looks to prove that you don’t have to turn your body into a pretzel to ride an aero all-rounder. Factor states perfectly that the MONZA is not an entry-level bike, but a purebred race machine for those to push the limits before work and on the weekends.
The honest truth is you and I don’t really need the Factor OSTRO VAM — we all want one and would love to have one in our quiver, but that level of bike isn’t necessary for the core market. The MONZA is built with the same responsive geometry, yielding incredible performance, but with a shorter reach and higher stack across all frame sizes to better match the proper fit of everyday riders. My lower back is already smiling.
The frame shaping of the MONZA is heavily-influenced by the OSTRO VAM, but it’s not identical. No stated aerodynamic differences have been provided, but the shapes follow all the right modern design principles found on today’s fastest road bikes.
Where aerodynamics were thoughtfully considered was the result of the Factor team observing riders in their natural habitat — at local races and rides. Many riders attach a saddle bag with ride essentials to allow for roadside repairs. Knowing that, the MONZA features downtube storage and by moving those essentials to that compartment reduces 6 watts of drag and it opens up the rear of the saddle for lights or radar mounts (like the Trek CarBack).
Factor MONZA Highlights:
- Aerodynamic tube shapes inspired by the OSTRO VAM
- Optimized carbon layup for performance, durability and value — not marginal gains
- Downtube storage for bringing along essentials in the most efficient way
- Tire clearance up to 34mm
- Democratized fit with about 1cm taller stack and reduced reach throughout sizes
- Internal routing with a standard round steerer
- One-piece cockpit with shorter reach and drop
- T47 threaded bottom bracket
- UDH-compatible for current and future groupsets
- Three colors: Steel Green, Solar Blue and Pearl White
- Available as a frame kit ($3999) or in Shimano Ultegra Di2 ($6799) or SRAM Force AXS ($6999)
At the end of the day, the Factor MONZA is still a world-class race bike, but it’s specifically built for regular men and women who ride fast at dawn and work regular jobs. The frame shapes are stunning and the promised performance sounds almost like the perfect bike for my tastes — and likely yours too.
