yes absolutely. Misleading advertising. The Ostro is not lighter, (it's heavier), the wheels are.

The headset / steerer problems were fixed quite early on. I got a new fork in 2021. My BB area does creak on and off which is annoying. We Loctite d the blue cups in and I regrets the crank axle often. Right now, it's pretty quiet, let's see how long that lasts!

Yeah, buyer beware because I doubt they would accept a return based on weight.

6kg. It doesn't mean much to give a full bike weight, because you could have lots of light or heavy parts on there. For example, my bike is so light mainly due to the 960g tubular wheelset. Indeed, Factor cleverly conceal the increased frame and fork weight by saying how easy it is to build the bike to 6.8kg. But just about any decent modern road bike can be built to 6.8kg, so this doesn't really say much. I could build a V2 to 6.3kg, no problem, but I can build an SL8 to 5.7kg, which is what I prefer to do. As for stiffness, I only put out 280W FTP (65kg) so if an SL8 is good enough for pros (450W, peak 1500++) then it's OK for me. F=ma, so an increase in weight simply cannot = faster acceleration, unfortunately. This is why hill climb bikes are stripped to the bare minimum, because the riders understand Newton and gravity.

Rotor Aldhu carbon. Dura Ace pedals.

Both great bikes, but I fancied a change and I love chasing the last few grams!

Yes, there is quite a bit of variation in weight between all the sizes and colours and even of the same type.

Factor claim 820g as a painted frame

@@andreassakkas7234 Factor claims many things. all i said is that the white will be the heaviest

@@andreassakkas7234 Factor claimed size 54 "painted frame and fork chrome/black", i always take these weight claims with a pinch of salt...whether is Factor or Pinarello...(which nonetheless I have both)

Maybe it all comes down to a misunderstanding. As far as I know, the official weight mentioned is for a Chrome-frame(being Factors lightest paintjob) that adds an extra 35g from the paint. There might have been a mix-up, thinking the weight included the paint for frames ranging between 150-200g... And the white paintjob is the heaviest one as well.

@@JesperGejlHansen I don't think it's a 'misunderstanding' I think it's deliberately misleading. If there is such a big difference in weights then tell us , and also show us the customer that has ANY TYPE of Ostro V2 weighing 820g in a 54.

Not only is the SL8 frame 215g ligther, but the fork is also 150g lighter. 365g is a big difference.

@@CyclespeedToursThat’s huge. I know the head tube on the SL8 divides opinion but I like it myself not a huge leap really from my SL7 but it’s a noticeably more comfortable ride from the rear. Would have considered the Factor myself but after seeing this video glad I have the SL8. I will be Very interested to see what you go with!

@@SAnderson77 I always liked the SL7, and the SL8 isn't so different. I'm OK with the nose! It looks light and fast whereas the Ostro now looks a bit porky. Shame.

@@CyclespeedTours Well if your swinging back to the S-Works stable, now for which colour!? The white one is the heaviest paint of all FYI but you might already known this and there are some LTD ED team frames knocking about in Europe Bora/Soudal/SD Works. Darimo Aero bars Darimo post. I think you would be knocking around 5.6/5.7kg territory. Crazy Light!

@@SAnderson77 I think I've found a 'Ready to Paint' so hopefully around 675g. Only the Bora and SD Works available otherwise and not so keen on those. Yes, I think 5.6kgs.

The don't really do an unpainted version afaik, nothing like the V1 Flickr anyway

That doesn't really tell you very much. The wheels can make a huge difference. Mine only weigh 960g the pair for example, so I could build a new Ostro to 6.3kg, but I can build an SL8 to 5.7.......

Yeah, I was prepared to give them a 2nd chance with the BB area on the V2 OStro (even though it's the same system). But I was already very doubtful that their weight claims were correct which is why I made it a condition of my purchase. Specialized can get below 1050g for frame AND fork, FULLY painted, so it is achievable in the right hands.

Perhaps the Ostro V2 rides as good as the 2019 Venge? That was Specialized's fastest road bike. The Venge is much faster than the SL7 & SL8

Thanks for the feedback!

Nothing really….!

Imagine what could be coming out next year, or the year after that

@@randomname8442 It will be at least 2 more years before the SL9, and I don't see anything else on the horizon that would tempt me...

Yes, for a true comparison you need the fork weight too. And SL8 is very good here.

Yep!

Seems that way....

With the pros riding the SL8 and pushing over 1500 watts in sprints, I don't think there are any major stiffness issues, but I get what you're saying about a heavier rider wanting some strength in the frame. I have a friend that is much bigger than you and he is fine.

@@CyclespeedTours pros are very light yes some put out 2000 watts but the bottom bracket area is never the issue plus we’re seen handle bars break and pros have 10 bikes all the same we ride our bikes alot longer then pros do I wouldn’t use that logic with comfort. We should get more durable bikes were not pros racing tour de’france. At least I’m not.

As an old regular, I appreciate your comments. What I would say is that noone was messed around. My LBS knows me well, and it was made clear that I would buy the frame subject to the weight checking out. It didn't, but there are no hard feelings anywhere. My 'research' told me that a 54 should weigh 820g, but the 52 weighed 915 and the fork has put on 100g too. For some, I totally understand that this is meaningless, but as you know, I like to build a light bike, and if the frame is heavy, then you are crippled from the start. When spending 5k on a frame, it would be nice to have some truth in it's specs. If I buy a Porsche with 400hp, I don't want 350, and a dishwasher at 38dB, should not be a noisy 45dB.......etc. etc. The wheels you mention were also out of spec, but it was impossible for me to know this in advance, or indeed, why would I think to check their diameter? I now have 2 pairs of their tub wheels (339T) which I think are great, at 960g. I cycle 16k kms per year, and I love every minute. Would I enjoy it as much on a heavier bike? Maybe, but I have ridden friend's bikes and they just aren't as 'flickable' as mine, so I think the light weight is a part of what I like in how a bike rides. I'm not TOTALLY obssessed! If that V2 had been say 850g, I still would have bought it, but it was just too far off, and I feel that is now an 'aero bike' not an 'all purpose, light aero bike', although no doubt it is still a great bike that rides well. They will sell many, and have lots of happy customers. I get the SL8 tomorrow, and I will build it light, as I always do, and then let's see how it rides! It will be interesting to compare it to my Ostro V1.

and you ok paying top money for it??

​@@nuttynut722 if somebody would offer a bike with flawlessly manufacturing quality, best in class aero and stiffness and on top a nice geometry and cable routing solution for an average rider and home mechanic, I would be happily pay top end prices even if the frameset was over 2kg. Because weight doesn't matter one fucking bit if you do the math. But I mean, it is the cycling industry. Good engineering and manufacturing quality...good luck finding that...

@@MS-bw7yt for the amount of money they asking for a bicycle, I would demand they "at least" meet spec "they propose", weight might not impact the performance at all and I know that, it's about credibility, only bicycle and tech industrial get away with that kind of claim

If I can find one!

It's nice to have both. O2 not as light as Aethos or as aero as SL8

I think you know this rule. The bike could be light and stiff and not aero, or aero and stiff and not light, or aero and light and not stiff. And we are always somewhere inside this triangle.

@@DominikKulaga True, like the 'light, strong, cheap' triangle! But the SL8 seems to have the best all round properties so far.

Lighter than my 2015 Rim brake s works tarmac 👍

Nice!

Nonetheless, both frame and fork have put on significant weight which goes contrary to how Factor are presenting it in their adverts.

That's a valid point, but the frame does have a lifetime warranty and it's a US company, so we shall see....

aethos is like the old O2 ... a wet noodle.

@@pmcmpc lucky you got to ride both of those bikes, impressive

Maybe if you are 85 kg. But for him with 60 kg would be more then stiff enough

But the SL8 is by far the lightest!

@@CyclespeedTours it is also by far the ugliest! Life is too short to ride ugly bikes. Also everyone has or will have a Tarmac. Your Factor is by far a better looking bike and more unique than having yet another Specialized (yawn) and how will your channel be any different than the hundreds others ones with a Tarmac (yawn).

@@omarcastz There is some truth in this - the Ostro is a good looking bike, and the new one I like, especially with the new paint job. And probably, yes would draw more viewers. But I have very few subscribers or viewers anyway, which doesn't bother me so much as I just make videos for my own fun really. For me it's hard to accept a heavier bike and hard to accept being lied to.