Earlier this month Factor bikes started the first production run of the radical Factor Vis Vires road bike. Previously only available with Shimano's Dura-Ace groupset, Factor have now announced an Ultegra Di2 build. Priced from £6,000 and available in early 2014, the Ultegra Di2 build saves the customer £2,000 over a Dura-Ace equipped Vis Vires.
It's worth noting that a build equipped with Factor's own power meter cranks will cost an extra £2,000, just as it did with the Dura-Ace bike. Also the magnet that the power meter uses is already integrated into all Vis Vires frames making this a true plug and play upgrade. The frame is identical to the one used for the more expensive builds, as is the fork, stem, seatpost and handlebar.
So something has to give, right?
Well, hubs are downgraded from DT's 250 to 350's, but impressively Factor's own brand 45mm carbon clincher rims are still included. Elsewhere titanium frame hardware has been swapped out for stainless steel items whilst the dropout makes a shift from titanium to alloy. TRP's TTV brakes are now alloy models instead of the carbon versions fitted to the Dura-Ace build. There's also a Garmin 510 computer and integrated mount instead of the 810 on the more expensive bike. Rubber goes down a notch to Vittoria's Diamante Pro Lite tyres while the Fizik Arione saddle comes with alloy k:ium rails as opposed to the more fancy carbon rails.
The Vis Vires Ultegra build uses alloy TRP brakes in place of the carbon ones specced on the Dura-Ace version
Losing the use of so many exotic materials must hold a hefty weight penalty right? Nope, there's a claimed 1lb/450g difference between both bikes - this example tips the scales at a claimed 16lbs/7.26kg.
It's also worth mentioning that Shimano's 2014 Ultegra Di2 group looks great in the flesh, but don't just take our word for it, check out our image gallery and judge for yourself. Stay tuned to BikeRadar for a full review of the Vis Vires Ultegra Di2.
