Replica Factor Ostro VAM

[bdyck]

Update on my situation if anyone is interested:

I've been back and forth with the seller from RK Ultra (FC Carbon) in the last few days. I provided a lot of proof of the issue, including a report conducted by a bike shop outlining that the frame has a manufacturing issue and is unsafe to use. The seller initially offered me a 50% refund to keep the frame or a full refund upon receiving the returned frame. I told them that I will return the frame as long as they can guarantee me that they will cover the shipping costs, but they haven't been able to confirm this to me this clearly. I also offered to provide proof of destroying the frame to show that I'm not trying to get a second frame for free.

At this point, I am going to make a claim through AliExpress. As far as I'm concerned, my evidence is very strong that the frame has a manufacturing defect, even though the seller continues to state that the problem is solely that I'm dissatisfied with the product.

I'm disappointed to have received a frame with a problem, but I understand that even though this should have been caught, mistakes happen. I'm much more disappointed in their consistant denail, and insistance that the only issue is me being dissatisfied with the product. He said that they cannot confirm it is a manufacturing issue until they receive the frame.

I bought from them becasue the quality seemed to be the best on offer, but at this point I can't recommend anyone to go through either of these sellers. I will look at Yohobike for the next frame if the refund goes through because the quality seems to be good in the recent posts.

[meysow]

Yoho quality may seems fine, but keep in mind that they sold a frame that self broke at the bottom bracket not so long ago.
And in term of after sales service they seem as bad as RK, since they tried to ghost the guy in the first place, finally taking action after the guy made bad press on all over the Internet

[OralMaster]

lol! Are you trolling, what happened? pics of your frame posted on this thread have certainly driven a lot of sales for F-C Carbon / MK ultra?

there were people who immediately noticed my color scheme was not part of factor's offering, so i had to lie to them that I ordered it through prisma studio, then they gave me a "oh yeah i see" kinda look. screw these idiots why can't they go about their own lives?

Anyway Serge, I now ride an authentic enve melee and authentic scott addict gravel with fake handlebars (because no one will call them out, right?).

I also actively call out fake frames in group rides and shame them publicly and feel very good about myself afterwards.

/s

[Ludo]

Let me help you old man, on The Internet, /s means sarcasm lol

[strayan_rice_farmer]

Back from the first ride, with all my teeth intact.

Frame feels good and stiff, no issues ripping it up climbs and sprints.
No other issues either, like creaks, instability or slipping seatpost (i didn't put grease, just torqued to Factor's specs), FYI i am 84kg
Also accidentally went over a huge pothole no issues, which I will consider the structural test 😂

TCR currently waiting a new stem (bolt snapped in old one RIP), before i can do any back-to-back comparisons (Same wheelset).

Still need to get my fitness back after joining the dad life so unable to make any "It's so slippery through the wind at 50kph" comments yet.

[Tpower59]

Back from the first ride, with all my teeth intact.

Frame feels good and stiff, no issues ripping it up climbs and sprints.
No other issues either, like creaks, instability or slipping seatpost (i didn't put grease, just torqued to Factor's specs), FYI i am 84kg
Also accidentally went over a huge pothole no issues, which I will consider the structural test 😂

TCR currently waiting a new stem (bolt snapped in old one RIP), before i can do any back-to-back comparisons (Same wheelset).

Still need to get my fitness back after joining the dad life so unable to make any "It's so slippery through the wind at 50kph" comments yet.

Arghhh got a SL8 but this Factor is absolute beast

[aeroskiii]

Back from the first ride, with all my teeth intact.

Frame feels good and stiff, no issues ripping it up climbs and sprints.
No other issues either, like creaks, instability or slipping seatpost (i didn't put grease, just torqued to Factor's specs), FYI i am 84kg
Also accidentally went over a huge pothole no issues, which I will consider the structural test 😂

TCR currently waiting a new stem (bolt snapped in old one RIP), before i can do any back-to-back comparisons (Same wheelset).

Still need to get my fitness back after joining the dad life so unable to make any "It's so slippery through the wind at 50kph" comments yet.

use a Dremel to move the cages lower

[deltrum]

My finished build

[bdyck]

My finished build

How did the build go? How is the quality overall?

[BIFO17]

Hello everyone.
New in this forum, I wanted to share my (extensive) experience.
First of all, counterfeit bikes are often talked about as being dangerous, etc... but they're no more dangerous than generic bikes. The important thing is to choose your supplier carefully. why a generic frame will be good and the same generic with brand sticker bad ? 
I've been riding generic and then counterfeit bikes for over 15 years, (around 7000 km/year) => about 150000km I've never had any problems (I've had two generic bikes, then an SL3 (3 years), 2 Venge (2016-19-2022) and other bikes
PS: The design (the shape of the bicycle) is not registered. It is the trademarks and logos that are registered.
my 2 Venge come from Eisen (but actually the seller is no longer responding, whether via WhatsApp, AliExpress, or their website.  :'( )

I'm looking to buy one other, the Factor appeals to me. I've contacted quite a few suppliers...

[keyserSoze]

My finished build

wheels also from taiwan glory?

[mozart]

very happy with the new bike. much stiffer than the sl8. very easy build without any problems. I'm wearing ltwoo erx v3 and tangoolas' 50 wheels.

[BIFO17]

Hello everyone.
New in this forum, I wanted to share my (extensive) experience.
First of all, counterfeit bikes are often talked about as being dangerous, etc... but they're no more dangerous than generic bikes. The important thing is to choose your supplier carefully.
I've been riding generic and then counterfeit bikes for over 15 years (I've had two generic bikes, then an SL3 (3 years), a McLaren Venge (4 years), a Venge (2019, 5 years), and an SL8 until now. I've never had any problems (around 7000 km/year) => about 150000km
PS: The design (the shape of the bicycle) is not registered. It is the trademarks and logos that are registered.
my 2 Venge ans my SL8 come from Eisen (but actually the seller is no longer responding, whether via WhatsApp, AliExpress, or their website.  :'( )

I had a bad fall recently and my bike is broken, so I'm looking to replace it and the Factor appeals to me. I've contacted quite a few suppliers...

I'm looking for ... I wrote to:
Luci Carbon:doesn't have version i want but showed me a cervélo with a similar color, so it might work. I asked for photos of the inside of the frame and the weight for a size 52 and prices

Taiwan Glory Bike: Very responsive. He provided me with HD photos of the frame and interior and confirmed EPS. Weight of the raw frame (900g). amazing Price : 750 euros including shipping with XDB)

Polar Bicycle Store:Weight 860g (but I don't know if that's without the frame or with the screws). The price is high (around 1050 euros including shipping via XDB).

ApexStorm : 955 euros with XDB

and Eisen (no answer due to )

[brembilla]

Hello, first time post but thought I would share my frameset coming from Yoho. Will be coming from a legit V1 Ostro so I will try to compare the two once I transfer the parts over after the frameset arrives. Went down a size on the rep to a 56 vs a 58 though.

As others pointed out, communication with Tom after initial purchase requires a good deal of patience but took around a month from ordering to shipping.

[robinoco]

Just finished putting together my Factor OSTRO VAM 2.0 build and thought I’d share some details for anyone interested — especially as there isn’t a huge amount of real-world info out there yet.

Frameset: Factor OSTRO VAM 2.0 (size 56cm)
Purchased from Mirror Carbon Fiber Store on AliExpress.

The buying process was a bit odd at first — the store page itself isn’t very helpful (I assume because this is essentially a “replica”), and communication only really got going once I reached out via AliExpress messages. After that, it was pretty smooth.

They sent me a Flickr album with a ton of paint options to choose from. Once I’d made my choice and asked a few questions, I placed the order and paid through AliExpress as instructed.

🕒 Timeline:

~4 weeks from payment to dispatch

~2 additional weeks stuck at the airport in China before it finally moved

Included in the package:

Frame, fork, seatpost

Darimo Nexum Drag (copy) cockpit – 120/380

Headset, spacers, top cap, expander

Seatpost collar + internal clamp

Thru-axles and small hardware bits

Build Details:

Groupset (reused from previous bike):

Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed – shifters, calipers, derailleurs

Wheels:

Serenade carbon – 50mm rear / 40mm front

Carbon spokes, lightweight hubs – 1188g for the pair
(Posted about these separately – really happy with them so far.)

Drivetrain & Components:

ZTTO Ultimate 12s 11–34T cassette (185g)

ZTTO 12s oilslick ultralight chain

GUB ceramic T47a bottom bracket

RYET OSPW

BigRock 165mm carbon cranks (24mm Ti spindle)

XCadey spider power meter

Pass Quest aero 52/36T chainrings

Onirii carbon pedals (Ti axles)

Superlight bottle cages

Berijie carbon shell saddle (105g)

Weight:
👉 7.03 kg as pictured

It’s been pretty wet and miserable here lately so I’ve only done a couple of short laps around the estate, but everything’s working perfectly so far. Really happy with how it’s come together and looking forward to getting some proper rides in when the weather improves.