Designing an aerodynamic bicycle is maddeningly difficult. Compared to a plane or a car, there are a stunning number of surfaces and edges to evaluate. Worse, with each pedal stroke a rider fundamentally changes the aerodynamics of the system. Planes don’t have to flap their wings. When we design, we consider the entire system—bicycle, rider, rider positions and wheels.

The only way to deliberately design a bike immune to the wind is to use Computational Fluid Dynamics software (known as CFD). While most outsource, Factor’s modeling is performed exclusively in-house on powerful workstations that make a home computer look like a pocket calculator in comparison.

To achieve superior performance, we devised our OTIS—One Total Integration System. OTIS includes a one-piece bar and stem for smoother airflow, a proprietary external steering fork to decrease frontal area whilst giving the wind more surface to follow and our Twin Vane split down tube.

With our SLiCK, a triathlon and time trial bike, we left no trick untapped. We designed a specially optimized version of our Twin Vane down tube for the SLiCK to take advantage of the lessons we learned with the ONE. The Twin Vane down tube may look like an unusual response to aerodynamics, but in fact it is the best answer to the problem of creating an aerodynamic road frame that provides the stiffness and feel of a traditional road bike.

Likewise, we also designed the frame and fork to be paired with our Black Inc. Three front wheel and Disc rear wheel for the ultimate in slippery speed.

For us, aerodynamics is a fundamental pillar of our work, not an afterthought.