Replica Factor Ostro VAM

[OralMaster]

Thought I would throw this out there for anyone purchasing via F-C:

Tips:

They do not include the silicone seat post cover that sits at the bottom and in mine and the other user (Oralmaster?) opinion the 20mm transition head piece is kind of ass so you should order those parts. Anjoy cycling seems to have them, they even have the official Factor bar tape if you wanna go all the way. I am using F-C's spacers though.

my suggestion to anyone buying replica bikes is to always get the original spacers set, simply because the original are lighter and meshes well. the fake ones are injected molded and many flashings

[A.V.G]

Hey Team.

Update on my Ostro frameset as purchased from F-C:
Last Saturday morning, I took one last desperate look at my tracking info only to discover that my frameset had been handed off to US Customs in L.A. California just after midnight early that same day.
On Thursday, I picked the frame up from the local USPS office.  I thought they might ask for tariff $$$, but they didn't.  The box was somewhat battered from 76 days in transit, but the contents seem to have survived the trip.  The quality is what we've come to expect from F-C.  The BB facing seems fine while the caliper mounts aren't pretty but I think they're workable.  The quality of the bar/stem is o.k. - definitely not as good as the frame.  In particular, I asked for 380/100 and they are marked as such, but I don't really see how they measures out as 380/100.  Still, the bars will work for now at least.

Anyway, I wanted to update this thread.  In the end, I got my F-C frame after approximately 90 days, from order to delivery.  F-C certainly has areas to improve their customer service, and I think Aliexpress is equally to blame.  The shipping is overpriced for absolute sh!t quality.  I've never had a worse shipping experience, and I've purchased a lot of rare/odd auto and bike parts over the years.

I'll post pics of my build as it comes along.  I won't be rushing through it and will likely need to ask some [dumb] questions.

Cheers

[jerozilla]

Hey Team.

Update on my Ostro frameset as purchased from F-C:
Last Saturday morning, I took one last desperate look at my tracking info only to discover that my frameset had been handed off to US Customs in L.A. California just after midnight early that same day.
On Thursday, I picked the frame up from the local USPS office.  I thought they might ask for tariff $$$, but they didn't.  The box was somewhat battered from 76 days in transit, but the contents seem to have survived the trip.  The quality is what we've come to expect from F-C.  The BB facing seems fine while the caliper mounts aren't pretty but I think they're workable.  The quality of the bar/stem is o.k. - definitely not as good as the frame.  In particular, I asked for 380/100 and they are marked as such, but I don't really see how they measures out as 380/100.  Still, the bars will work for now at least.

Anyway, I wanted to update this thread.  In the end, I got my F-C frame after approximately 90 days, from order to delivery.  F-C certainly has areas to improve their customer service, and I think Aliexpress is equally to blame.  The shipping is overpriced for absolute sh!t quality.  I've never had a worse shipping experience, and I've purchased a lot of rare/odd auto and bike parts over the years.

I'll post pics of my build as it comes along.  I won't be rushing through it and will likely need to ask some [dumb] questions.

Cheers

Glad your frame actually showed up. I didn't see any issues with the handlebars right down to the matching v1 off color screws to match. Would be nice to see some photos of your 90 day adventure, at that point I think I woulda got a refund and if it showed up it showed up.

[A.V.G]

Great news, happy for you. You may consider editing your previous posts on this thread with like at the bottom "edit: frame received after [90] days, see thread page 19" ...

Good point Serge, and I've done as you've suggested.  My apologies to the forum for junking up this thread with all my shipping rants.  Cheers

[A.V.G]

Glad your frame actually showed up. I didn't see any issues with the handlebars right down to the matching v1 off color screws to match. ...

Hey jerozilla.  Regarding the bars, I did try to slip them onto the steerer tube but found that I had to use a lot of force, either because the clamp is too small or the steerer tube is slightly oversized.  I only got about 10-15mm before giving up. (I was just playing around anyway.)

I'll investigate further but has anyone else seen this?  What's the recommended fix?

And regarding rotor size: are you running a 160 or 140 on the rear?  I'm assuming 160 on the front.

Thanks

[jerozilla]

Hey jerozilla.  Regarding the bars, I did try to slip them onto the steerer tube but found that I had to use a lot of force, either because the clamp is too small or the steerer tube is slightly oversized.  I only got about 10-15mm before giving up. (I was just playing around anyway.)

I'll investigate further but has anyone else seen this?  What's the recommended fix?

And regarding rotor size: are you running a 160 or 140 on the rear?  I'm assuming 160 on the front.

Thanks

Correct 160 front 140 rear that came with my groupset. I saw someone say they had sand a tiny but of the interior of the handlebar but other than that no issues. I definitely flexed on them and I'm not a small person to see if I needed to swap them for something else.

Few things I would not skimp on are like Patlien said, wheel set, handlebars/contact points.

[patto3]

I had a pair of the Black Inc rep handlebars from aliexpress (not sure if they would be exact same as the ones that ship with the frameset), they looked good, shallow aero section which is comfy in the tops, very light and yes a little flexy but to be honest, I think a bit of flex in the bars/stem is ideal. I now have Enve SES bars that came on my new TCR and they are very stiff! I miss the give.

[jerozilla]

I had a pair of the Black Inc rep handlebars from aliexpress (not sure if they would be exact same as the ones that ship with the frameset), they looked good, shallow aero section which is comfy in the tops, very light and yes a little flexy but to be honest, I think a bit of flex in the bars/stem is ideal. I now have Enve SES bars that came on my new TCR and they are very stiff! I miss the give.

Yeah someone made them sound like they're noodles I think it might be in this thread but seem fine to me. Also endoscoped the interior to look for any issues. Took it out for a quick ride even though its freezing just a quick 45mins but compared to my 2019 Time Fluidity I now understand what people mean when they say "The bike just wants to go". Feels great, feels fast, and didn't explode on me so far so good.

[jerozilla]

You should complain to the seller, either of the bars, or the frame. You can use a vernier caliper (it's cheap) to figure out which of the steerer & stem is the wrong size. Or use another stem. If stem B fits, then stem A is the problem, and if neither fits, then steerer is the problem.
You should complain, but sandpaper is the answer. ideally you'd find some decent diameter rod, wrap sandpaper around it, and sand down (i assume it's the stem that's too tight). You did undo the stem bolts, yeah?
i wouldnt be afraid of sanding that, because if you were able to fit 10 or 15mm, it means you really dont have much material to remove. Do wear a (good) mask, or do it outside, and / or do wet sanding, as that dust is apparently truly, truly bad for your lungs (when i cut steerers I use a water spray bottle so the dust doesnt fly off, then i wipe the black mud off the floor).
If it's the steerer that's out of spec, i'd be less happy, because it raises more questions, given how critical that part of the bike is.

I think from past posts its the Black Inc. bars themselves not the steerer tube. I forgot to check mine with my digital calipers but again, mechanic made zero mention and I could slide my bars on no problem with a bit of force.

[acino]

Hey, happy that A.V.G. received his frame even if it was a struggle and happy that jerozilla survived his first ride

I just wanted to chime in regarding the handlebars. My experience is the same as jerozilla's. They were a bit snug and required a bit force to get on, but nothing excessive or concerning.

My frame has about 500 km and so far so good.

[A.V.G]

Hey All,

Just wanted to update that I tried the stem on steerer again yesterday and it went together ok, so I don't think there's an issue - it's just snug.  Maybe my frameset is acclimating.    Thanks to all who offered advice on this.

Some have asked to see pics of my frameset, and I will do that, but for now you can see it here on RK's store:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807990587185.html

BTW, mine is a size 56 (as pictured). 

The black part of the frame is actually raw.  My plan is to do some custom decals and maybe a coat of clear on the decals and raw sections, just to give it some protection.   

[dieNadel]

Asked RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store for a link to all the available colour options.
https://1638572289.x.yupoo.com/ pw: 654321. I gotta say the paint jobs look insanely nice, i was especially curious about the DUKE version since that is so rich in details.
There's also multiple shots of the BB and Headset area to be found, confirming the great quality.

[Rebel_Yell]

Asked RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store for a link to all the available colour options.
https://1638572289.x.yupoo.com/ pw: 654321. I gotta say the paint jobs look insanely nice, i was especially curious about the DUKE version since that is so rich in details.
There's also multiple shots of the BB and Headset area to be found, confirming the great quality.

Any idea on prices of their painting of the bikes?

[jerozilla]

Any idea on prices of their painting of the bikes?

I'm pretty confident that's the same person as F-C now after seeing the Chinarello's as well. Painting is usually included and you just pick the tier 1/2/3.

[dieNadel]

Any idea on prices of their painting of the bikes?

I found four frames (red-black, heart of the ocean, DUKE, white pearl) on aliexpress, they're all around 800 Euros for the heavier version or 1000 euros for the lighter one. Dont know about the other colour options, but i would guess that they would be prised similarly.