British-designed Bugatti Factor One revealed
We expect the extraordinary from Bugatti - new 'UCI-illegal' limited edition bike lives up to its reputation
Let’s cut to the chase: the new Bugatti Factor One, limited to just 250 examples worldwide, costs 25,799 euros. The ‘standard’ Factor One, claimed by its maker to be the world’s fastest road bike, is 15,499 euros. So if you take nothing else away from the revelation that Bugatti has lent its name to a humble (comparatively speaking) bicycle, know that the project has washed its face - and then some.
Of course, there is more to it than just white Bugatti script on a very fetching Bugatti blue background, though it is additionally worth considering that the range-topping Factor One absolutely looks the part. Responsibility for this naturally rests with the less well-known half of the partnership (to us, at any rate), Factor Bikes. Though any PHer with a passing fondness for cycling - or possessing exceptional powers of recall - might remember that this is the same manufacturer that produced the so-called One-77 bike in conjunction with Aston Martin back in 2012.
As you might expect from this track record, calling the British manufacturer high-end is like describing the iPhone as moderately popular. The fact that its origin story owes much to F1 (again, devotees might recall the mind-bendingly expensive Factor001 that signalled the firm's arrival) is another pleasing tie-in to the world of automotive. At any rate, the Bugatti Factor One’s claim to fame is another shift in the performance benchmark, albeit of the marginal sort.
See, while the two-a-penny Factor One is compliant with the UCI (cycling’s governing body) regulations for race bikes, the Bugatti version ‘eschews the rulebook, resulting in a frame with a wider fork stance and lower drag numbers’. In other words, the collaboration was all about finding the fastest possible configuration, no matter the cost or complexity - a sentiment that you could obviously apply to several of Bugatti’s record-setting road cars.
“The Bugatti Factor One is not simply a bicycle,” noted company founder, Rob Gitelis. “It is a statement. This project challenged us to rethink every assumption and push engineering boundaries in the same way Bugatti has done in the automotive world for over a century.” In other words, it is for customers who ‘demand the extraordinary, both from themselves and their equipment’.
And from their bank account, needless to say. Nevertheless, wonderful details abound (customised Continental tyres? Check. Black Inc Bugatti Hyper 62 Wheels that 1,298 grams a pair? Check. Exposed carbon finish that uses a unique 3K twill weave to mirror Bugatti’s composite? Check.) A full rundown of the Bugatti Factor One’s unique specification can be found here, where you can also declare your interest. Probably best to do that promptly, though; we’d imagine the huge asking price, as with any car that bears Bugatti's name, will prove no impediment to popularity whatsoever.
Doesn't mean people can't buy them for their own pleasure though.
Else every non-pro racing driver with a hyper, sports or super car is breaking the 'rules' too.
You fit the pedals and clip mounting you prefer.
A bike requiring less watts is a faster bike
For sure - If you are riding in a 3 week race and the difference between winning and 2nd place is measured in a few seconds then this matters.
Else it's just a marketing tool and something to brag about.
Nice enough for what it is, however it's not for me. A new fork, cosmetic twill first layer and some decals on the tyres aren't the most in depth development going!
If I wanted 'the ultimate speed machine' to hang on my wall, I'd have to look at a combo of Lotus and Hope for the generational development of track bikes with a 108 and HB.T.
Bikes have had derailer gears for 70 odd years, they work just fine and make no difference to the aero as the forks will be designed to push the air out and around the rider.
As for the bike, thought it would be more- they could charge what they like as some mush will only hang it in their 7 berth garage
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