George Bennett switched to Israel Premier Tech and its Factor bikes in 2024 after a brief two-year stint riding Colnago bikes with United Arab Emirates Team Emirates. The New Zealander got his first taste of World Tour action aboard his new horse in 2024. He had a quiet start to the season on the recent Tour Down Under.
We got a chance to get an up-close look at the 33-year-old’s bike ahead of the race and talk to him about brake lever position, a controversial topic that came up during the off-season.
Is a new Factor Ostro VAM coming?
Before we delve into the lever-based controversy, let’s take a quick look at Bennett’s aerodynamically focused bike, the Ostro VAM. Factor also offers his lightweight O2 VAM, and if that claim holds true, Bennett should be able to climb on top of it and fly without issue. According to Factor, this is “the world’s fastest climbing bike.”
Given the climbing-focused nature of the O2 VAM, you might expect the Ostro VAM to fill the aerodynamic void, as is the case with most brands that have two dedicated race bikes in their lineup. While it partially achieves that, the Ostro isn’t designed to be a fully aerodynamic machine, with both aerodynamic and lightweight features making it what Factor describes as “a versatile bike that’s fast on any terrain.” It is combined. No matter how you look at it, it’s a super bike. These have been adopted by many brands that have eschewed dedicated aero or lightweight bikes that can do it all. In Factor’s case, he has made the Ostro VAM into an aero superbike while leaving his O2 VAM a pure climbing bike.
All that could soon start to change after mysterious sightings of what appears to be a new Ostro VAM during January. Now that it’s almost four years old, a new version isn’t too far away.
Appearance by Black Inc and Shimano, FSA
Bennett’s bike was equipped with Shimano’s Dura-Ace groupset, but with a twist on the common recipe: an FSA Powerbox crankset. These had built-in power meters and were listed as a 55/39t crankset on Bennett’s physique, but the inner ring looked like a 40t. This is different from his 54/40t option, which is standard for users of his regular Dura-Ace crankset.
The 11-30t cassette was also small, at least compared to other bikes on the Tour Down Under. Most utilized a wide range of 11-34t gear options.
Many of the finishing components, including the 48/58 wheelset, were provided by Factor’s sister company, Black Inc. Currently not available on the website, this appears to be a model that has not yet been released. Black Inc was also responsible for the integrated bar and stem.
The wheels were shod with Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT tires. A popular choice at Proton, as is the 28mm width.
The Selle Italia SLR Boost Pro Team saddle is now complete.
Is it dangerous if the lever is facing inward?
Now, the big topic of the Tour Down Under. During the off-season, the UCI announced plans to introduce regulations during the 2024 season that would limit the inward angle of the brake levers. This is a trend that has emerged in recent seasons as it allows riders to get into tight positions, reducing frontal area and, as a result, drag.
The maximum angle the lever can be placed at has not yet been confirmed by the UCI, but it was first spotted measuring the lever angle on the Tour Down Under. Naturally, this caused a bit of an uproar as the riders I spoke to during the race had conflicting opinions. Bennett is adamantly in favor of the UCI, citing past crashes that may have been caused by the position.
“I think it’s a good rule. I think it’s gotten more and more extreme,” Bennett explained. “I started seeing guys riding with their little fingers wrapped around the bars, unable to react when someone braked in front of them.
“We saw a good example in this race last year, [Tour Down Under]there was a crash in the first stage and a guy came in about five seconds later and clipped everyone from behind because he couldn’t brake because the brakes were basically facing inward.
“If no one is allowed, we all get the same benefits and it’s safer for everyone.”
It is therefore not surprising that Bennett’s levers are set up in a traditional manner. But it’s not the same across the peloton, and many riders are undeterred by the current lack of clarity around the rules. We will continue to monitor how the situation develops over the coming months.