Replica Factor Ostro VAM

[anton.not.wonton]

Question for everyone - FC has no feedback on aliexpress…. Is there a reason no one is leaving them positive feedback given a few people in here seem pretty happy?

[anton.not.wonton]

Finished mine, 7.12kg, with no pedals, bottle cages or computer mount.

Specs are:

Size 56
Wheels Manufacturing t47a DUB bottom bracket
Ultegra 8150
Shimano ice tech rotors 160/140
Wheelsfar Hyper carbon tubeless hooked wheels - 24mm internal, 50/58 height
Chris King tubeless valves
Ultegra 11-34 cassette
Lexon carbon crank, 165, DUB axle
Rotor Aero chainrings, 52/36
Xcadey spider power meter
LOOK Keo 2 Max carbon pedals
Ali power saddle
Ali bottle cages

Lovely build - would you mind sharing where you bought your frameset?

[hagerd]

Lovely build - would you mind sharing where you bought your frameset?

RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store

[estingo]

Beautiful machine! I am thinking of getting this as my next build. Does anyone have the Vam 2.0 yet? It seems pretty difficult to find a reliable seller that has experience with DPD shipping to Europe. RK and FC carbon stores (someone said they are probably the same person) seem to offer the best 1.0 frame. They say the offer shipping including import fees, but I am sceptical (as he said it will be shipped via dhl; which would mean import fees I think).

I am also still in doubt between version 1.0 and version 2.0. Maybe some owners of the 1.0/2.0 can chime in?

I live in Netherlands, Europe and have the so called not so good frame according this forum, My frame is still going strong after 2500km on it, had some difficulties in the beginning but it was basically my own fault, seatpost clamp is not the best but it's okay, the handlebar is okay but I tightened it too hard (even though it was with a torq wrench). Overall, very happy with the frame. Mine is a v1 and I upgraded some parts that came with it, like the headset bearings (not necessary), compression plug, and in the end, also the handlebar.

It's just that yo uneed to pull the trigger for any frame you want, they are not all horror stories, and most of the time it will arrive, just need to find the seller with the tips and tricks that are shared here. Hope this helps. You can also DM me if you want more info

[Jouke]

Thx Estingo!

About to pull the trigger on this frame. The only thing that concerns me is the D shaped seatpost. I am afraid of potential problems with the headset. Factor doenst sell the original D compression plug anymore (great service ...) and i cant find it anywhere online. Deda offered a third party compression plug für d shaped steerer tube. But I cant find that online either. Am I being a little paranoid or should and can I trust the compression plug that comes with the frames?

[estingo]

You're welcome, and I understand your concerns. The more you read about it, the more terrifying it will look. Same as if you have pain in your arm and you Google it. You could then end up with a tennis elbow or nerve pain, and it's maybe just muscle pain from bumping it the day before.

In this forum thread there was no one yet that broken their steer tube because of the d-shape. The recall that Factor made, for that one pro cyclist bumped on the sidewalk and cracked his steering tube because the compression plug wasn't compressed correctly https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/factor-finally-sheds-light-on-that-broken-ostro-vam-steerer-tube/. Full story is on a different website, also Factor their website https://factorbikes.com/news/update-on-isn-team-ostro, this is just my summary. I would compare it to a recall of an Audi TT (old model) to add a rear spoiler, because the rear springs weren't stiff enough at 180km/h. Can you still drive the Audi without the spoiler, yes. Can you add your own aftermarket spoiler to make it better and the rear suspension stiffer, yes.

For the Ostro bike I see it like this, if you use a better quality and a bit longer compression plug 8cm instead of 5cm, and better materials, then I think it should work. That doesn't mean that the compression plug that comes with the frame doesn't work.

Anyway, I wouldn't be too afraid of it, and all the other users here either,r otherwise they didn't buy the frame. The V2 has a different steer tube, not sure if the imitation/replica has a different shape. 

[Serge_K]

Sounding all gangsta until, indeed, you need a proprietary replacement part, you can't find it, and it forces you to bin the frame (seat post, derailleur hanger, and that new fuckery with non round steerer tubes taking exotic compression plugs).
I wouldn't F with botched compression plugs given that a lot of catastrophic failures while riding happen around the steerer / stem.
Also, i doubt that most people who order fakes are aware that the steerer tube uses a proprietary part
Probably best to order spares upfront, and hope for the best. That's a key reason why a lot of people insist on riding round seat posts. Problem is that factories tend to price gouge when you ask for such spares at the time of order.

[estingo]

I appreciate your standpoint, but I politely see things a bit differently. My intention isn’t to change your opinion, but rather to share that I have a different perspective. It seems you’re quite against replicas and D-shaped steer tubes, and I understand your concerns. However, I believe and slightly agree with you that people who order fakes might not be fully aware, such as whether the steerer tube uses a proprietary part, since they might not have seen discussions like ours.

I think both of us genuinely want to share honest opinions about frames and potential issues one might face when choosing different brands or types.

By the way, I’m far from a gangsta, e.g. — I ordered a second seatpost wedge from the original seller on AliExpress, and I paid the standard price, not a premium. The seatpost is a copy, but I’ve also fitted the original Factor seatpost in my frame, along with a lightweight Ali Darimo-type one.

It’s clear that no single type is always the best; often, there are multiple solutions, and more options can lead to good outcomes, also with a d-shape steerer tube.


 

[anton.not.wonton]

Thanks for sharing your experience Estingo! Would you mind sharing which seller you purchased from?

[Jouke]

Thanks for your feedback. What is the quality of the frame ? (Paint, faced caliper, inside carbon,...)

from page 2 of this topic:
I've purchased it on Aliexpress (store: taiwan factory bike parts Store - model New Model Fasterway Ostro)