Factor ALUTO

Where does the ALUTO fit in the Factor line-up? The name gives a hint. Taking inspiration from the dormant stratovolcano in Ethiopia, the Factor ALUTO offers a balanced ride that is ready to explode into action the minute you smash the pedals.

Reinforcing Factor’s commitment to high-performance gravel, we’re offering two distinct gravel bikes for a variety of real-world use cases. There is no need to make a one-size-fits-all compromise. In contrast to the OSTRO Gravel’s purebred fast gravel status, the ALUTO has a much brighter, elastic, and responsive ride compared to the stiffness of the OSTRO Gravel. In that sense, the ALUTO holds a similar profile as the MONZA vis-à-vis the OSTRO VAM. They are more than capable of rubbing shoulders with the top-flight racers, but they also offer a bright, comfortable ride feel that will help riders to be faster over the longer distances.

Fast for podiums, refined for endurance

The ALUTO’s first semi-official race tackled the unforgiving Unbound 200 this past June. Piloted by the still very fit David Millar, Factor’s Brand Director, the ALUTO covered the brutal distance without a hint of difficulty, though the same couldn’t exactly be said for its rider. Whatever Type 2 pleasure David may or may not have gained from the experience, one thing he did fall in love with very quickly was the ALUTO.

“I noticed something different about the ALUTO the moment I got on it. It felt like it was alive, I had it fitted with 47 tyres and it still felt light and bright, which I wasn’t expecting. Yet it still feels stable at speed, and the ride quality is so bright. It’s one of those bikes that puts a smile on your face, yet is equally at ease when things get not so happy.”

Photo credit: Josh Croxton

In fact, his love affair with the ALUTO would deepen when he used it during his time covering the Tour de France. Though he had the chance to ride it on all terrains, from the côtes around Normandy to the tops of each summit finish, his experience on Mont Ventoux perhaps best encapsulates the wide range of use scenarios the ALUTO offers:

“I rode Ventoux on the ALUTO. The climb is as hard as I remember, highly unpleasant, in fact. The first kilometres were very slow with all the fans riding their way up as well. It meant I could feel like a “WorldTour pro” as I darted in-between and around fans loaded up with their day's supplies. This was okay until it became utterly gridlocked to a standstill where we do the switchback onto the climb proper. At which point I went cross-country to cut the corner and rejoin further up, optimistically climbing through the forest like Bear Grylls, full #spiritofgravel,” David said.

“I climbed a near-vertical rocky incline through undergrowth and trees and popped out between coolers and seated fans under umbrellas. Which they weren’t expecting. I was proud as punch, micro uphill evacuation complete.”

New all-rounder standard

Though the ALUTO can accept up to 52 mm tyres on the front and 47 mm on the rear, getting the absolute max tire width possible was not the focus of the design. “One of the major highlights of the bike is the delicate dance and balance of all its elements. While most companies are focusing on maximum volume of tyres, we're painstakingly balancing the bike to provide a ride experience that is holistic and purposeful and absolutely high performance,” said the ALUTO’s designer, Mike McGinn.

Consequently, the geometry was developed to work optimally with tyres around 45 mm wide. The ALUTO has a slightly steeper head tube angle and equally short chainstays as the OSTRO Gravel to maintain a shorter wheelbase and enhance agility. We’ve lowered the bottom bracket to shift the centre of gravity downward, stabilising the ride and balancing the shorter wheelbase while increasing control across variable terrain. With a slightly higher stack than the OSTRO Gravel, the ALUTO allows for a more adaptable fit for a wider range of riders without compromising how aggressive you want to set your position.

Pushing for wider and wider tyres in gravel bike design without considering use case scenarios often means that riders are left with bikes where the geometry and wide rubber don’t work in harmony.

“The ALUTO is a perfect synergy of speed and capability with a specific ride feel that allows you to be fast whether it’s rough tarmac or light singletrack trails,” McGinn concluded.

All the design elements of the ALUTO are perfect for a ride that’s balanced to have a tight, bright feel; that goes hard and fast, no matter what the terrain.

“It proves that an all-rounder can be a racer — as long as it's Factor engineered.” – David Millar, Factor Brand Director

Learn more about ALUTO

Find the Factor dealer in your area using our DEALER LOCATOR page.