Replica Factor Ostro VAM

[cryptoken]

These are a few things you must buy if you don't want people to call you out.

1.Ceramicspeed T47A BB, it comes in anodized blue, it is solely made for factor bikes and comes default in the genuine pizza box

2. Black factor bartape. comes default in the pizza box, and it is also a really good bartape.

3. Original headset spacers set, the transition spacer has the "SLT by ceramicspeed". But you don't need to change your headset bearings to the SLT ones, as no one will be able to see your bearings.

4. Black Inc bottle cages, the titanium screws have printed "black inc" on it, will greatly reduce the suspicion, say they are complimentary from the bike shop, make it seem genuine.

5.original seat post cover that has the factor logo imprint

6. rubber grommets cover for DI2/AXS, those small covers have the factor logo imprints too.

I mostly ride for myself, not others—but thanks for the detailed list! 
The most basic items I'll likely go with are the Black Inc bottle cages (I prefer the aero ones since they're the same price as the regular) and the Factor bar tape. That’s about another $150 I can invest in. As for the CeramicSpeed BB, $350 feels too expensive and not worth it in my opinion. For the grommets and seatpost cover, you can always just say you lost them. 

I also ordered a Black Inc wheelset, but the seller told me it's coming in a separate package—which I find doubtful, since I paid for shipping once for both the frameset and the wheelset.

Overall, my experience with Yahoo hasn't been great. They barely respond on WhatsApp, and I had to ask five times just to confirm whether the wheelset was shipped. Their replies have been vague at best.

I'm picking up the frameset tomorrow, but in the past two months, I’ve received only one photo of the frame—so I haven’t been able to check the frame’s condition or any details.

While Yohoo has a solid reputation, I’m feeling a bit skeptical based on my experience so far. Just curious—has anyone here dealt with Yahoo or other Chinese vendors and had a similar experience?

[hagerd]

Thanks! I’ve noticed that many T47a bottom brackets list compatibility with shell widths ranging from 77–79 mm or even 77–83 mm (like this one: https://shorturl.at/XVylJ). The BB shell width on the Factor Ostro VAM is 77.5 mm, and I’m using a Shimano crankset, so I need a 24 mm spindle diameter.

Also, do you happen to have a link to your saddle? I’m only finding Ryet options, which look similar to Specialized.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004983345294.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.21.212d1802Jcm5IW

I ordered this one in 155 width, not sure its available from this seller anymore. I swear Ive seen this saddle around for less though.

[Jecnerwal]

I've been chatting briefly with RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store Store on AliX based on trawling through this thread.

Almost ready to pull the trigger, but just have a question about the difference between 'ordinary' and 'ultralight'
all i can get from RK is that the difference is 'Lighter weight and better materials', but can anyone else provide a little more advice, what did you go for and is it worth almost double the price?

Ordinary ￡651.19
Ultralight ￡1,146.19

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008069790512.html?pdp_npi=3%40dis%21CNY%21%21CN%EF%BF%A5%205%2C000.00%21%21%21%21%21%402140c1e917485128794208717e4fea%21%21im%21%21

Thanks!

[cryptoken]

I've been chatting briefly with RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store Store on AliX based on trawling through this thread.

Almost ready to pull the trigger, but just have a question about the difference between 'ordinary' and 'ultralight'
all i can get from RK is that the difference is 'Lighter weight and better materials', but can anyone else provide a little more advice, what did you go for and is it worth almost double the price?

Ordinary ￡651.19
Ultralight ￡1,146.19

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008069790512.html?pdp_npi=3%40dis%21CNY%21%21CN%EF%BF%A5%205%2C000.00%21%21%21%21%21%402140c1e917485128794208717e4fea%21%21im%21%21

Thanks!

I’d go with the standard version, mainly because I’m a bit wary of the ultralight versions of Chinese carbon frames. The top tube already looks quite thin, and I’d personally feel more comfortable with the “heavier” option — I assume it’s more robust. All the frames I had in my basket were around $900 plus shipping. Check out the reviews and pull the trigger if it feels right, but just be aware — once you pay, you can usually expect less communication and engagement from the seller.

[Dr J]

I've been chatting briefly with RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store Store on AliX based on trawling through this thread.

Almost ready to pull the trigger, but just have a question about the difference between 'ordinary' and 'ultralight'
all i can get from RK is that the difference is 'Lighter weight and better materials', but can anyone else provide a little more advice, what did you go for and is it worth almost double the price?

Ordinary ￡651.19
Ultralight ￡1,146.19

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008069790512.html?pdp_npi=3%40dis%21CNY%21%21CN%EF%BF%A5%205%2C000.00%21%21%21%21%21%402140c1e917485128794208717e4fea%21%21im%21%21

Thanks!

I would go normal version since the weight difference isnt worth double the money.
Beware though; at this moment it is not possible to buy the frame from RK with the “Laser” logo. So only black, white or gold logo is possible right now.

[Jecnerwal]

I would go normal version since the weight difference isnt worth double the money.
Beware though; at this moment it is not possible to buy the frame from RK with the “Laser” logo. So only black, white or gold logo is possible right now.

Interesting, RK said that the green one was available, which is the one I had asked about.


Thanks both for advising, normal version is what I was thinking too, especially as it's just a fun project as opposed to my main ride.

[mamu]

does someone know a source that can produce the team Amani colors? The black orange one
Thanks

[rhenders]

I know there were some early comments in this thread about using a Deda compression plug instead of the one that comes with this frame. It looks like that product is no longer for sale from what I can see.

What are others doing for compression plugs? The one I received with the bike does not fit now that I’ve cut the steerer to size. Any other recommendations?

[OralMaster]

I know there were some early comments in this thread about using a Deda compression plug instead of the one that comes with this frame. It looks like that product is no longer for sale from what I can see.

What are others doing for compression plugs? The one I received with the bike does not fit now that I’ve cut the steerer to size. Any other recommendations?

HY makes an ultralight one that is length of the handlebar stack.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006508448351.html?

[aeroskiii]

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

can you send a pic of the front? is it just as thin as the legit factor?

[jerozilla]

I've been chatting briefly with RK Ultra Extreme Carbon Fiber Store Store on AliX based on trawling through this thread.

Almost ready to pull the trigger, but just have a question about the difference between 'ordinary' and 'ultralight'
all i can get from RK is that the difference is 'Lighter weight and better materials', but can anyone else provide a little more advice, what did you go for and is it worth almost double the price?

Ordinary ￡651.19
Ultralight ￡1,146.19

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008069790512.html?pdp_npi=3%40dis%21CNY%21%21CN%EF%BF%A5%205%2C000.00%21%21%21%21%21%402140c1e917485128794208717e4fea%21%21im%21%21

Thanks!

It comes down to weight and typically better QC is my guess. I ended up going with the highest tier from F-C Carbon, meaning the lightest tier 3 one and nothing about it felt noodly, if anything it felt rock solid. I think I finished it at just sub 7kg but the aggressiveness of the Ostro really didn't end up working for me and I didn't want @SergeK reporting me to the Factor police  so I ride a Enve Fray now.

As @Oralmaster said there's a few parts you need to get to complete your bike if you want it to look and feel legit. I did not put a ceramicspeed BB but I put a BBInfinite on mine and then got all the mini parts (Top cover, factor bar tape, silicone seat post cover.). I did just use Winspace Hypers on my couple rides before I decided it wasn't for me, who cares if someone wants to say something lol. I think the only major faux pas if you try and sell it off as a real one, then you're a POS.

Still got my size 54 in white with both seatposts, OEM PC mount, the anjoy parts minus the bar tape for sale Just been sitting in my office.

[estingo]

Yesterday during a group ride, I saw someone trying to overtake us on a Factor Ostro frame. It was the first time I’d ever seen one in the wild—you recognize it immediately. He was drafting behind us for a while and then tried to jump ahead, but he wasn’t going fast enough to break away from our group (around 40km/h). That gave me the chance to ride behind him and check out the bike.

There were no logos on the frame, just a glossy UD weave. The Black Inc handlebar and wheels stood out—the wheels looked like they were about 50mm deep, with only the Black Inc logo on the hub. It had a solid Ultegra groupset, though I couldn’t really see the crankset clearly. He also had those ultra-light 7-gram bottle cages from AliExpress.

I was pretty stoked to finally see the same bike in person, and I think you guys would love it too—especially since it didn’t have any logos.

Anyway, if the rider was local, it must’ve been somewhere near Goes in the Netherlands.

[A.V.G]

I know there were some early comments in this thread about using a Deda compression plug instead of the one that comes with this frame. It looks like that product is no longer for sale from what I can see.

What are others doing for compression plugs? The one I received with the bike does not fit now that I’ve cut the steerer to size. Any other recommendations?

Hello rhenders,
Did you get this sorted?  I'm having the same issue - I've cut the steerer to length and now the stock compression plug top won't fit down into the steerer.  The options seem to be either take a little carbon out of the steerer OR take a little aluminium out of the top piece of the compression plug.  Since the compression plug isn't structural in the same way as the carbon, I'm leaning toward the latter, but I think either approach would work.  (We're talking about the very top ~3mm of carbon at the top of the steerer.)

Anyone else come across this issue?  I don't think the Deda plug would be any different (if you could get your hands on one anyway).  The issue really is that the carbon of the steerer is too thick.

[A.V.G]

Hey Serge,
Yes, I completely agree with you.  These frames look amazing on the inside and outside, but the "devil is in the details" as the saying goes.

Since I had the surplus ~50mm of steerer tube, I decided to try filing a bit of the excess carbon so the top wedge of the plug would fit without modification.  I was able to achieve that, but it didn't feel right - too much carbon is better than not enough! 
I ended up filing down the top wedge of compression plug, per you advice.  After trying both approaches, I feel assured this is the best way to sort the issue.

The next problem surfaced when I discovered that the top cap bolt was too long and bottomed out about 2mm before the cap was applying compression to the head assembly.  I had to cut the cap bolt by about 3mm. (Cap bolt has 20mm of 1.0 pitch treads - a 15mm bolt would probably work too, but maximum thread engagement is desirable here since the steel top cap bolt threads into the soft aluminum compression bolt.)

Here's a link to the part I'm talking about (if anyone is still reading...)  The too long top cap bolt isn't pictured.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805711708662.html

I'll report the next QC problem if/when I find it.

Cheers

[Dr J]

Happy to help!
None of that sounds boutique
I was really starting to get sold on the whole "yes we make fakes, but we make them with a level of care that's incredible".
And now, "yeah but the steerer doesnt fit. and the hardware doesnt fit either".

The plug not fitting, how much did you have to file? because it's common to use a jeweler's file to clean out an exit cable hole, for example. But then sanding substantial material off is a very different matter.

My frame is on it's way. I will let you know about the 'level of care' that my frame has received . I bought the Deda expander to avoid any problems. But I can try the expander that comes with the frame also.