A Year of Special Editions
Embracing true originality
In a year of big highlights, like the release of our revamped O2 VAM, we have had a lot to celebrate. We salute our athletes, our sporting initiatives, our presence on the biggest racing stages in the world. And to do this, we have frequently produced Special Edition designs for our frames. In 2023, we released exceptional examples of how our creativity pairs perfectly with the technical advancements we make in the engineering and development of our frames.
We’ve released so many highly admired Special Editions this year, we thought a gallery recap was warranted, and can give everyone the chance to revisit and focus on their favorites. All these designs are limited editions which means they are available to purchase for a very short time after release. But remember the Factor Prisma Studio gives you the opportunity to create frame designs as original as you are.
OSTRO GRAVEL AMANI EDITION
Jay Gundzik, Factor’s Creative Director, explained his thought process behind his design for the frame: “I based the Amani OSTRO Gravel design on the colors found in the landscapes of the Rift Valley in Kenya and it plays off the Team Amani kit colors for 2023. The stylized print for the forks contrasts the main body colors and is based on a Cheetah print pattern. Cheetahs are found throughout the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Rift Valley Province in Kenya and are a true symbol of speed and athleticism, not unlike the riders on Team Amani. The design is playfully bold and represents the spirit of the East African riders.”
OSTRO VAM IPT GIRO EDITION
Factor’s creative team designed a special colorway for the Israel-Premier Tech team’s OSTROs at the Giro. With frame graphics to support the visual story behind the special edition jersey, the play of colors and geometric designs are emblematic of playful spumante bubbles and orderly vineyard rows. Similar to the jersey, the deep red and aqua blue represent the famous red wine Vini Fantini produces and the Adriatic Sea.
OSTRO GRAVEL SEA WOLF EDITION
As a native of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, Rob Britton has a special connection to that unique environment with its sandy coasts and ancient rainforests.
Fellow Canadian and Factor’s Creative Director, Jay Gundzik worked closely with Rob to create a custom paint job that would really speak to his personality and influences: “The theme of the design is “Vancouver Island”. I used a color scheme that represents the sandy shores, loamy dirt, soil and lush old growth rainforests on the island. I created original graphics and typography that “pops” against the frame color. The graphics feature a Coastal Wolf, which are unique to Vancouver Island, giant Douglas Fir trees, and an abstract logo that’s a cross section showing tree rings. I worked closely with Rob on these graphics (especially the wolf) graphics as they also represent his own character. Coastal Wolves were forced to adapt to their surroundings to survive and thrive. Like Rob Britton, these wolves are chill until they’re not.”
LANDO XC SEA WOLF EDITION
Rob Britton’s LANDO XC Sea Wolf Edition uses similar graphics and takes the same inspiration from Rob’s home region. A flip of the frame color fade distinguishes it from Rob’s OG, tying to the two designs together with a unique vibe and special continuity.
OSTRO VAM PARKHOTEL EDITION
To celebrate our five-year partnership with the Team Parkhotel Valkenburg, we designed this OSTRO VAM to match their revamped team jersey. As a successful ProContinental women’s team, Parkhotel Valkenburg also has an amazing track record of developing the next generation of exceptional athletes. We are proud of our long-term association with the team and love the limited edition design we made for the OSTRO.
Alexey Vermeulen’s LANDO HT Leadville Edition
Following-up Alexey’s 2022 Iceman Cometh-winning LANDO HT Willie Edition, which just popped with color, Factor’s Creative Director, Jay Gundzik went in the other direction when designing the look and feel of the LANDO HT that Vermeulen would use to tackle the Leadville 100 in 2023.
This time, the unique design was all about weight savings. Much of the premium carbon layup was visible under a special clear coat layer, keeping the lightweight theme while highlighting the quality of the build. Look closely, though, and the added touch of the rainbow rattle snake skin on the down tube caught the vibe of the Colorado high country. Even without those extra Willie watts he gets from the LANDO HT Willie Edition, Alexey still took a stellar 2nd place at the Leadville 100 in 2023, which was the fastest Leadville in history.
OSTRO VAM BRUSHED GOLD EDITION
The OSTRO VAM Brush Gold celebrates our racing heritage that has its genesis in F1 technology and follows through today with our most advanced aerodynamic and lightweight frames. No color characterizes victory more positively than gold. Our Brushed Gold colorway for the OSTRO VAM not only positively pops in the sunshine. It celebrates our dedication to making you as fast as you possibly can be.
O2 VAM & OSTRO VAM Froomey Edition
With a design that honors Chris Froome’s African and British roots, we created an O2 VAM and an OSTRO VAM that are representative of his connection to the brand and the contributions he has made and will continue to make. The professional insights into frame and materials design he has already offered will only increase in the years to come with Froome not only a professional cyclist riding our bikes, but also an investor and member of the board.
PAUL SMITH EDITION FACTOR
Though Sir Paul Smith started his fashion empire over 50 years ago, his love of cycling goes back even further. The Paul Smith Edition Factor adds another layer to his storied career and complements Factor’s own commitment to design and originality. Knitting together this special colorway, Sir Paul drew inspiration from the various bicycles in his life that have been most important to his journey. Using the OSTRO VAM as his canvas, he juxtaposes his love of traditional, classic bikes with a passion for innovation.
Fusing Paul Smith style and Factor performance, this special edition offers all of the advanced engineering expertise and precision layup that sets the OSTRO VAM apart from all the competition.
FACTOR HATSUNE MIKU EDITION
Factor-sponsored JCL Team UKYO has a tradition of featuring Miku on a special edition cycling kit every year, and so we've decided to celebrate the team's national success by echoing this design on the OSTRO VAM and HANZŌ.
We are using the image of renowned Japanese virtual singer Hatsune Miku (Japanese: 初音ミク) because Miku represents for many the sound of the future. It is an image we are thrilled to have connected to our frames as well.
What is “Hatsune Miku”?
Hatsune Miku is a music software developed by Crypton Future Media, INC., which enables anyone to make their computer sing by entering lyrics and melodies. As a massive number of users created music using the software and posted their works on the Internet, Hatsune Miku quickly evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Since then, Hatsune Miku has gained much attention as a character, involved in many fields such as merchandising and live performance as a virtual singer. Now her popularity has spread across the globe.
∗Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, Megurine Luka, MEIKO and KAITO are also virtual singers developed by Crypton Future Media, INC.
What is “Racing Miku”?
Racing Miku is a race version of Hatsune Miku and the exclusive mascot of the Hatsune Miku GT Project since 2010. Although officially named “Hatsune Miku Racing Version”, it is normally known as “Racing Miku”. It is designed by a different illustrator every year and is the symbol of the project.
Order your Factor Hatsune Miku Edition
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