The research and development that brought the world the Factor O2 frameset design provided Factor's engineers with huge amounts of data and knowledge as they built a fantastic riding, sub 800 gram road race frameset that sacrificed nothing in the pursuit of wins and personal bests. So after a few years of incredible success for this smaller frame company, what did Factor do? How about going to back to the O2 drawing board, albeit with a head start, and create the O2 VAM frameset, with a new carbon production process, some different material technology, and a commitment to maintaining or improving the O2 across the board. We built this 02 VAM Disc frameset as a platform to show off the new frame, as well as Factor's Black Inc wheels and cockpit set-up, with the Shimano Dura-Ace R9170 Di2 and hydraulic disc groupset, with an upgrade to the Ceramic Speed OSPW pulley cage system. Incredible build, no? Of course, but it all starts with the frameset.

Enter the sub 700 gram O2 VAM (Velocita Ascensionale Media- average ascent velocity), frameset. Unlike many superlight road framesets, the VAM was not only built to climb, but to dominate descents and ride like a dream. The cockpit set-up is pro-style low friendly with a new headtube and headset top cap/spacer system. Overall the geometry is incredibly close the O2, with the same Stack and Reach. Current O2 riders who desire the lightest version will find it all very familiar, aside from the approximately 10% reduction in frame weight. So what is different? VAM is manufactured with a completely new method of carbon compaction. Pressurization greater than normal allows the engineers to wring excessive resin from the various base carbon materials, therefore making the carbon stronger, lighter and more efficient.

As with all Factor frames, the VAM was optimized with a strategic layup of mixed modulus carbon that helps further define and augment VAM'S decisive handling and riding characteristics. The materials list is impressive as well with Factor adding TeXtreme®, Nippon Graphite pitch fiber, and boron fiber to their secret sauce. The combination of fiber and materials used in with the new compaction process combine to deliver the lateral and torsional stiffness required to keep the frame efficient and a perfect platform for power transfer, while resulting in a solid and sure feel when descending or sprinting. Boron fiber is not new to cycling, as several frame manufacturers have used in superlight frames, but Factor has used it primarily to reduce weight while maintaining proper lateral stiffness in the seattube, with no compromise in ride quality.

The 54cm rim brake bare VAM frame weighs in at 640 grams, with the disc model coming in at 690 grams. The superlight platform is a perfect choice for building a complete bike that destroys the UCI minimum weight limit, yet can still be ridden in all conditions and situations. Even the tapered fork received the VAM treatment, looking slightly wasted next to the standard O2 model. The essentially nude carbon, with the slight touches of a sharp red, looks raw and ready to go. The VAM frameset we started with for this build is the Full Chassis version, so the Black Inc Carbon seatpost, and Integrated Carbon stem/bar are part of the frameset package, along with the Ceramic Speed headset and bottom bracket. We added the Black Inc 50 Carbon Disc Wheelset and 700x28 Vittoria Corsa G2.0 tires to round a truly spectacular kit.

So much has been written and spoken about the supreme precision and reliability of the Shimano Dura-Ace R9170 Di2 electronic shifting system that their is no need add more. The sleek ergonomic R9170 Di2 Dual Control levers offer superior feel and tactile response, while still providing what is essentially the master cylinder of the hydraulic disc braking system. With the exception of the Ceramic Speed bottom bracket and rear derailleur cage-pulley system, the entire group is Dura-Ace, even down to the Center Lock disc rotors. The crankset is a 50-34, matched with an 11-30 cassette to provide great range, especially for high cadence climbers. The Di2 e-Tube system is fully internal, along with the seattube battery. We added the Ceramic Speed OSPW system as a recognition of the role Ceramic Speed plays in Factor's framesets, as well as their prominent use in the pro peloton. The OSPW derailleur cage and pulley wheels are the result of an in-depth development process and have been designed to reduce friction to the greatest extent possible. The oversized 17T pulleys are capable of spinning with as much as 60% faster speeds than stock pulleys, which can help to create the ultimate efficient drivetrain. Testing has demonstrated that at just 2.4 watts of power, energy is being saved in the pulley system.

The O2 VAM Disc is a truly exceptional frameset, and we spec'ed this complete bike to match that level. This is truly a pro build, with zero limitations. We hope you are as exited by the performance and possibilities of the O2 VAM as we are and if this build isn't your favorite, until they sell out, we have an O2 VAM frameset for you to build as your dreams inspire you.