A Guide to Factor’s Gravel Bike Range

Factor’s current gravel range consists of three specialist race platforms: ELARA for Race Speed, ALUTO for Race Balance, and SARANA for Race Endurance. Each exists to answer a different performance question as gravel racing has evolved into increasingly specialised forms of competition.

Modern gravel can mean high-speed racing where aerodynamics and positioning matter, mixed-terrain events where agility and adaptability are decisive, or ultra-distance races measured in days rather than hours. Factor does not ask one bike to compromise across all three. Each platform is engineered around the demands of its intended racing environment.

Factor gravel bikes compared: ELARA, ALUTO and SARANA

ELARA

• Best for: High-speed gravel racing

• Performance Focus: Race Speed. Aerodynamic efficiency, precise handling, large-volume race tyres and maintaining speed over broken ground

ALUTO

• Best for: Racing across mixed and changing terrain

• Performance Focus: Race Balance. Agility, efficiency and adaptability

SARANA

• Best for: Ultra-distance and self-supported gravel racing

• Performance Focus: Race Endurance. Sustained efficiency, stability and control as fatigue accumulates

Factor ELARA: best for high-speed gravel racing

The Factor ELARA is the gravel bike for riders who prioritise outright race speed. It combines road-race urgency and aerodynamic discipline with clearance for tyres up to 57 mm, giving riders the traction, stability and impact management required to keep carrying speed when the surface becomes unpredictable.

The ELARA replaces OSTRO Gravel as Factor’s dedicated pure-speed gravel race platform. It is not an updated OSTRO Gravel, but a complete redesign developed for the greater speeds, tyre volumes and technical demands of contemporary gravel racing.

All Factor bikes owe a lot to honest, unvarnished rider feedback, and the ELARA is no exception. Actually, it may be the most extreme recent example of feedback, deep into the development process, causing our engineers to go back to the drawing board and redesign nearly from scratch: "We'll redesign eighty percent of a bike six months into the design phase if that's what it takes… that's what makes Factor unique," explained Mike McGinn, Factor Industrial Designer.

The original idea was to revamp the OSTRO Gravel, which still worked exceptionally well as a fast gravel racing bike, but was due for an update. The design that was fated to become the ELARA started out as an update evolved into something far more ambitious: a project that marks what the engineering team called “the third era of Factor design.” At first, the goal was to make the next-generation gravel racer sharper and faster, borrowing aerodynamic intelligence from the ONE and composure from the MONZA.

But as geometry, clearance, and performance targets shifted, the design pivoted repeatedly. It’s not that the engineers and designers were uncertain what they wanted, rather the feedback they were receiving from Factor Racing athletes who were already testing early prototypes were able to give the engineering team feedback that would result in a complete redesign. In early development conversations with Factor’s sponsored gravel racers, particularly Magnus Bak, 2025 Gravel Earth Series winner, the team was challenged to think differently about what fast really means on rough terrain.

Magnus wanted the option of running 57 mm tyres front and rear, something the engineers initially considered excessive for a high-speed race bike. But he made a clear case: at the speeds these riders hold, the impacts are amplified. Larger tyres don’t just absorb shock, they reduce rolling resistance across broken surfaces and drastically lower the risk of punctures. “It’s not about comfort; it means I don’t have to slow down. I can hold speed without thinking,” Magnus explained.

Having what are effectively racing MTB tyres on a gravel bike lets him plough through rough terrain and stay closer in the slipstream, even when visibility is low, or when the racing becomes aggressive through technical sections. The larger volume tyres give him the margin he needs to make mistakes when fatigue sets in and precision fades, while the speed remains high.

Though the wide tyre clearance will inevitably be the spec that makes people stop and look, there is a lot more going on with the ELARA than tyre clearance. Every aspect of the frame has had a laser focused development, with every aspect thought through. “There’s the oft-used analogy that designing a bike is like putting a fitted sheet on a mattress: once you pull on one corner, you pull and change position of the sheet on the other three. And there’s a lot of truth in that,” Graham Shrive, Factor Chief Engineer, explained. “You can’t just widen the rear stays and call it good. Adding that much volume for the tyres impacts everything to do with the geometry and consequently the handling. But it still needed to handle like a racing bike. Like a Factor.”

The ELARA is built for riders who race gravel like they race road, aerodynamic positions, precise handling, full-gas focus, no looking back. For those who demand traction, stability, and control when the going gets rough, with no option but plough through and hold speed. “We wanted the handling to feel fast again. A lot of gravel bikes have gone soft in pursuit of comfort. We’re bringing back that sense of urgency,” said Mike McGinn, Factor Industrial Designer.

The success of the design has been apparent even before the bike’s official release since multiple Factor Racing athletes have been competing on it in the most important gravel events of the 2026 season. Australian National Champion, Nicole Frain has taken many victories and podiums aboard the ELARA: “One of the first things I noticed about the ELARA design is the aerodynamics and the huge tyre clearance, which is a big advantage for gravel racing,” Nicole explained. “It differs from other gravel bikes that I have used in that it is super aerodynamic while still being comfortable. It’s that speed that you have in a real race bike while also being a capable gravel bike that I can ride for hours.

“So the ELARA…is built to blur backgrounds, hold speed when the ground gives way to great gobs of rocks, roots and whatever else you fancy mowing down at a million miles per hour.”  – Peter Harrington, regroupwithus.com

Factor ALUTO: best for mixed-terrain gravel racing

The Factor ALUTO is designed for riders who race across a wider range of surfaces, course profiles and technical demands. Where ELARA narrows its focus around outright speed, ALUTO prioritises balance: agility, efficiency and adaptability without giving up its racing intent.

The Factor ALUTO has received the same attention to detail in its development as all Factor bikes. Designed for racing with a twist of off-road endurance, the ALUTO is built for riders who demand a balanced ride that combines Factor-level handling with the perfect synergy of speed and capability. With a geometry tuned to perform across changing terrain and on longer rides, the ALUTO has been engineered to feel agile. 

“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 Mike McGinn, Factor Industrial Designer.

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. As Factor’s Chief Brand Officer, David Millar found out on his lap around France in 2025, the ALUTO is the type of bike that you can start riding up Ventoux via the usual road route, and then dive into the woodsy trails once you get past Saint Estève.

“I rode Ventoux on the ALUTO the same day the race tackled it in 2025. The climb is as hard as I remember. The first kilometres were very slow with all the fans riding their way up as well. It was fun darting through the slower riders on the ALUTO, feeling like a real pro again. But once we hit that first switchback where the climb really begins, it became utterly gridlocked,” David remembered.

“At that point, I went cross-country to cut the corner and rejoin further up, optimistically climbing through the forest. 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. The ALUTO was just the perfect option for a ride like that: one that was both an extremely difficult road and demanding gravel ride.”

“It’s clear the ALUTO isn’t chasing trends. Instead, it’s carving out a deliberate identity of its own. I rode the ALUTO across a wide range of terrain, and it felt assured and nimble in every situation.” – Luke Meers, Bicycling Australia

Factor SARANA: best for ultra-distance gravel racing

The Factor SARANA is engineered for ultra-distance and self-supported gravel racing. Its performance is defined not by peak speed during one decisive hour, but by sustained efficiency, stability and control across days of accumulated fatigue.

Designed to be able to support 57 mm (2.2-inch) tyres with loads of room to spare, the SARANA is a capable gravel racing bike that has been specifically designed to be ridden not only for hours, but for days without stop.

Every Factor begins with a question of performance. For the SARANA, we asked: How can a race bike stay fast when the rider is too exhausted to think about speed?  When thinking about designing a bike that can allow a rider to sustain fast, efficient pace for events like the BC 1000, the Badlands, or the Transcordilleras, you need to create a bike that has the geometry that is aggressive, but not so aggressive that the rider’s form collapses after hours in the saddle. Factor-level handling is also necessarily non-negotiable, which translates into needing to be responsive and sharp, while still maintaining control over seriously rough terrain.

“This is an incredibly versatile bike. There’s nothing you can’t do with it, especially if you can swap back and forth from the rigid to the suspension fork, like I do. It has a bunch of different personalities,” Rob Britton said. “The cool thing about this bike too is that it climbs so well.”

Rob’s words rang particularly true when Factor Racing’s Victor Bosoni used the SARANA in June 2026 to set the Fastest Known Time on the Tour Divide. The fact that the route that is now referred to at the Tour Divide, used to go by the name Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, seems to indicate that the type of bike that will inevitably be required is a mountain bike with suspension. That Victor chose to use the SARANA with a rigid fork indicates the sheer versatility and capability of the bike.

“I knew the SARANA would be the perfect bike for it,” Victor said. “Because you can run the wider tyres, to have the 2.2 tyre was perfect for the race. I think it is the perfect bike for the Tour Divide. I didn’t have any pain in my hands, which I frequently can get in races. I have the perfect setup for this race. I think being on a dropbar frame makes a big difference on the fast-rolling parts during the race. I can be much more aerodynamic and faster on the paved and smoother roads. And I was lighter than others, since they had suspension which adds lots of weight.”

“The SARANA blends mountain bike-like trail manners and control with gravel bike speed and aerodynamics… the SARANA delivers, quite easily, the best ride quality and comfort I've experienced from a drop-bar gravel bike to date.” – Aaron Borrill, Cycling Weekly Technical Editor

Factor gravel bike FAQs

What is the difference between the Factor ELARA, ALUTO and SARANA?

The Factor ELARA, ALUTO and SARANA are three specialist gravel race bikes built for different forms of competition. ELARA prioritises outright Race Speed, ALUTO prioritises Race Balance across mixed terrain, and SARANA prioritises Race Endurance for ultra-distance and self-supported events.

Which Factor gravel bike should I buy?

Choose the ELARA if outright speed is your priority and you race fast gravel events where aerodynamics, positioning and precise handling matter. Choose the ALUTO if you want an agile race bike for varied surfaces and changing terrain. Choose the SARANA if your focus is ultra-distance or self-supported racing where efficiency, stability and control need to last for days.

What is the fastest Factor gravel bike?

The ELARA is Factor’s pure-speed gravel race platform. It is designed for the fastest expression of gravel racing, combining aerodynamic development, road-race-influenced fit and handling, and clearance for large-volume race tyres.

What is the difference between the Factor ELARA and ALUTO?

ELARA is more specialised around outright gravel race speed, while ALUTO is designed around balance and adaptability. ELARA suits high-speed events where aerodynamic efficiency and maintaining speed over rough ground are priorities. ALUTO suits riders racing across a broader mixture of surfaces and technical demands.

What is the difference between the Factor ALUTO and SARANA?

ALUTO is designed for competitive performance across changing terrain, while SARANA is specifically engineered for ultra-distance and self-supported racing. SARANA places greater emphasis on sustained efficiency, stability and control as fatigue accumulates over many hours or days.

Does the Factor ELARA replace the OSTRO Gravel?

Yes. ELARA replaces OSTRO Gravel as Factor’s dedicated pure-speed gravel race platform. It is a complete redesign rather than an update to OSTRO Gravel.

How much tyre clearance does the Factor ELARA have?

The Factor ELARA provides clearance for tyres up to 57 mm on 700c wheels when measured with approved rim widths. The large tyre capacity is designed as a performance tool, helping riders maintain traction, manage impacts and continue carrying speed over broken terrain.

Which Factor gravel bike is best for ultra-distance racing?

The SARANA is Factor’s dedicated ultra-distance gravel race bike. It is engineered around sustained efficiency, stability, control and fatigue management for self-supported events that can continue for days rather than hours.