We take a closer look at the Israel Start-Up Nation leader's new bike
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Chris Froome's Israel Start-Up Nation Factor Ostro VAM(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
The VAM Ostro frame combines lightweight with with aero-tubing(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
An 11sp Dura-Ace groupset is specced, although rumours suggest this could change(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
One guess as to which company is providing Froome with power data(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Froome will be using Ceramic Speed's oversized pulley system and bottom bracket(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Froome will be racing discs for the first time, using Dura-Ace calipers paired with SwissStop pads and rotors(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Froome is impressed with the braking performance but has expressed his concerns regarding the reliability of road disc brakes(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
The integrated Black Inc bar/stem has a stem length of 130mm (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Ride data will be collected and managed by Hammerhead Karoo 2 head unit(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Froome uses a 38cm handlebar(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
The integrated bar and stem has fully internal routing to maximise aero efficiency(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
For Chris Froome, 2021 brings a welcome fresh start and an opportunity to put the difficulties and setbacks of the last two years behind him. Like many, 2020 is probably a year that Froome will likely choose to forget.
With a disrupted race calendar and a difficult recovery from a career-threatening crash at the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné, he was unable to display the performance that we have seen in previous years from the four-time Tour de France winner.
Last summer it was announced that Froome would be leaving Ineos Grenadiers, the team that he had ridden with for the last 11 years and repeatedly achieved some of the highest accolades in cycling. The 35-year-old signed a long-term contract with Israel Start-Up Nation and is set to lead the team's 2021 Tour de France campaign and, if successful, collect his fifth yellow jersey.
A new chapter with a new team also means a new bike. Froome has raced on Pinarello bikes for the last 11 years of his career in which he has achieved seven Grand Tour victories. For the next two years, he will be riding Factor Bikes who signed a three-year contract with Israel Start-Up Nation in 2020.
Factor Bikes, an English brand based in Norfolk, will supply the team with four bikes: The OSTRO VAM, O2 VAM Disc, the ONE Disc aero bike and the SLiCK Disc for Time Trials.
Froome will be riding Factor's new OSTRO VAM frame in a size 56cm. This is one of many do-it-all lightweight yet aero road bikes, designed to rule across all race scenarios. Notably, the frame features NACA tube shapes and dropped stays amongst other design features for better efficiency through the air.
Factor tube optimisation has meant that the OSTRO is claimed to almost match the ONE frameset in aerodynamics. This hasn't come at a weight penalty with the frame weighing in at a claimed 780g for a size 54cm and is able to be built to match the UCI weight limit. With the Black Inc 30 wheelset, Froome's bike weighed just under 7kg, the switch to the deeper 60mm wheelset will have added a little extra weight although it's likely there have been some further adjustments to bring the bike closer to the UCI weight limit.
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For Froome, the biggest change on his new bike is the move to disc brakes as Factor doesn't offer this bike with any rim brake frame options. He has already expressed his concerns surrounding road disc brake technology although he should be in good hands with Shimano Dura-Ace levers and callipers set up with SwissStop pads and rotors.
Along with a new bike comes new components and kit sponsors as well. The team bikes will run Factor’s in-house brand, Black Inc, who will supply wheels, seatposts, bars and stems. The drivetrain is Shimano’s current 11sp Dura-Ace Di2 groupset with 4iiii providing power metrics which Froome will be familiar with, however, efficiency has been boosted with CeramicSpeed bearings and an OSPW (Over-Sized Pulley Wheel). The rest of the kit comes from Selle Italia Saddles and Maxxis tyres, of which Froome will be using Maxxis' ICA exclusive Yalla Academy tyre with HYPR-S compound and a 170tpi casing. The wheel and tyres available will give Froome the option to run tubeless however it's not confirmed what set up he will choose to race on.
Froome made his Israel Start-Up Nation debut aboard his new bike at the UAE Tour and, despite still working towards reaching peak racing condition, was feeling positive about his performance. Froome's next test will be the Volta a Catalunya, which gets underway on March 22.
Frameset: Factor OSTRO VAM
Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace with Swissstop brake pads
Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace with Swissstop brake pads
Rotors: SwissStop Catalyst
Brake/shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace
Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace with CeramicSpeed OSPW
Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace 11-30
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace
Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace with 4iiii power meter Size:175
Bottom bracket: Ceramic Speed
Wheelset: Black Inc. 60 tubeless
Tyres: Maxxis Yalla Academy 25mm
Handlebars: Black Inc Integrated Bar/stem, 38cm
Handlebar tape: Black Inc
Stem: Black Inc Integrated Bar/stem, 130mm
Computer mount: Black Inc/Hammerhead
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace PD-R9100
Saddle: Selle Italia Novus Boost Evo
Seat post: Factor (OSTRO)
Bottle cages: Elite Superleggero 2.0
Computer: Hammerhead Karoo 2
Seat height (from bottom bracket at centre): 79.4cm
Bike weight: TBC
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Graham has been part of the Cyclingnews team since January 2020. He has mountain biking at his core and can mostly be found bikepacking around Scotland or exploring the steep trails around the Tweed Valley. Not afraid of a challenge, Graham has gained a reputation for riding fixed gear bikes both too far and often in inappropriate places.
