This Factor VAM R9170 Di2 Disc bike was in service as a DEMO/race back-up. Overall the complete bike is an excellent shape and completely maintained to the highest standards. There are clear signs of use, and there is a small rough area of clear coat on the non-drive chainstay near the brake caliper. That was from a mild abrasion and the frame integrity was not compromised. This is a lightweight, exceptionally high-end build with 11-speed Dura-Ace Di2 components, CeramicSpeed bottom bracket, headset, wheel bearings and OSPW rear derailleur pulley upgrade. It is a tremendous climbing/descending bike, with fast acceleration and responsiveness for superlative all-around riding. For geometry reference, this was the original 2019 frame design, which is slightly different than the current offering

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. The engineers went back to the O2 drawing board, albeit with a head start, and create the VAM Disc frameset, utilizing a new carbon production process, some different material technology, and a commitment to maintaining or improving the O2 across the board. 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 road race; incredibly close the O2, with the same Stack and Reach. VAM has been manufactured with an innovative and advanced form 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.

The VAM was optimized with a strategic lay-up 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 49cm disc brake VAM frame (bare) weighed in at 679 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 is the Full Chassis version, so the Black Inc Carbon seatpost, and Integrated Carbon stem/bar were part of the frameset package, along with the CeramicSpeed headset and bottom bracket.

So much has been written and spoken about the supreme precision and reliability of the Shimano Dura-Ace R9170 Di2 electronic shifting system. It delivers the most precise, informed shifts at high speed. The derailleurs are simply superb- while demonstrating durability over long years of use. With the exception of the Ceramic Speed Bottom Bracket, the entire group is Dura-Ace, even down to the Center Lock disc rotors. The crankset is a 52-36T and is coming with a new Stages Left Side Powermeter, matched with an 11-28T cassette to provide road race range. The CeramicSpeed OSPW pulley cage system allows you run up to a 32T large cog cassette (11s Dura-Ace offers 11-30T, Ultegra 11-32T options). The Di2 e-Tube system is fully internal, along with the seattube battery and handlebar end junction/charging port.

Cockpit creation on the VAM is simple. You get the UD carbon integrated Black Inc bar-stem, which is light, stiff, and incredibly well executed in every way. Black Inc also supplies the lightweight 27.2 round carbon seatpost. The Selle Italia NOVUS Superflow EVO saddle a short-form model with carbon shell and rails. New Lizard Skins DSP 2.5 tape offers some comfort along with a nice feel and grip in all conditions.

You'll love the everyday reliability and lightweight race-day performance of Black Inc Thirty Disc Wheelset. The 30mm aero profile carbon rim has the 21mm internal/30mm external width dimensions for incredible ride quality and optimal stability, while the road tubeless / clincher design ensures options. The machined alloy hubset is sublime, and incredibly smooth with low resistance throughout thanks to the CeramicSpeed bearing package. The Center Lock rotor mounts and the thru-axle interfaces feel perfect, as you'd expect.

If you have direct questions on this DEMO bike, please email sales@excelsports.com or call us at 800.627.6664 during business hours.