Modern Adventure is a UCI second-tier team, but will race Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne this Sunday, and the Hell of the North in a few weeks. The team's riders are also racing aboard the most talked-about road bike of the last year, the hyper-aero Factor One, which must be good for morale ahead of taking on the WorldTour squads, though they also have the Ostro Vam at their disposal.
I shot both models while the team's mechanics worked on them, and they told me the riders tend to want to ride the One and prefer its feel, though some Ostro models were ready to go.
It's hard to look beyond the headtube and fork, but the Factor handlebar drop bar shape is one of the most normal features. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Here's where it get crazy, the super narrow integrated front end just pulls you in every time. The headtube is also a lot deeper than other 'all rounder' race bikes. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Yes, that is the Factor One headtube... (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
It transitions down into those super-wide fork legs. A few brands have told me now, go wide or super narrow, but never in between, when it comes to fast bike design. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
The handlebar tops aren't taped. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
I love how that big Michelin logo looks against the matte black paint. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
The bike is equipped with SRAM Force groupset, and a Red front mech, a mishmash from SRAM'S top two road groupsets. These chainrings were 56/43T. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
A CeramicSpeed bottom bracket has been fitted. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Selle Italia SLR 3D saddle for this rider. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
30mm Michelin Power Cup's were fited to the 62mm deep wheels. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Bit of sealant splatter, we've all been there. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
170mm cranks here, not the shortest, not the longest. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Chunky Factor aero bottle cages are standard. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Here's the team's other, more normal option, the Ostro. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
This was Riley Pickrell's race bike. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
SRAM Force again here for Pickrell, itself a very good groupset, but not as light as top tier Red. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
A monster Black Inc integrated stem here, very agressive. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Time XPRO 10 pedals, part of the SRAM family. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
This one was a size 52 bike. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Paint marker from the mechanic to nail the saddle setup. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
I liked the paint pattern here against the spoke flange. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Ceramic bearings for the hubs too. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
And a different 3D printed saddle here. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Michelin Power Cup's again, they all looked brand new to me. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Don't forget to torque those bolts, 5-6Nm here. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
A narrow headtube, but chunky compared to the One. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
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Tom joined the Cyclingnews team in late 2022 as a tech writer. Despite having a degree in English Literature he has spent his entire working life in the cycling industry in one form or another. He has over 10 years of experience as a qualified mechanic, with the last five years before joining Cyclingnews being spent running an independent workshop. This means he is just as happy tinkering away in the garage as he is out on the road bike, and he isn’t afraid to pull a bike apart or get hands-on with it when testing to really see what it’s made of.
He has ridden and raced bikes from an early age up to a national level on the road and track, and has ridden and competed in most disciplines. He has a keen eye for pro-team tech and enjoys spotting new or interesting components in the wild. During his time at Cyclingnews, Tom has already interviewed some of the sport's biggest names including Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar and Alberto Contador. He's also covered various launches from brands such as Pinarello, Ridley, Specialized and more, tackled the Roubaix Challenge sportive aboard his own rim-brake Cannondale SuperSix Evo, tested over 20 aero helmets in the wind tunnel, and has created helpful in-depth buying advice relating to countless categories from torque wrenches to winter clothing.
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