Factor Monza endurance test: My first few kilometres on the aero road bike

I’ll admit it: I haven’t been out on my bike as often this year as I’d have liked. But when the Monza When it arrived at my house two weeks ago and I freed the stylish carbon setup – complete with SRAM Force AXS – from its bubble-wrap prison, one thing was clear: things were about to change. First, I had to bolt the individual components together to form a bike, fit my pedals and adjust the saddle height to suit. I was able to stow a spare inner tube, multi-tool, tyre levers and a pump in the integrated storage compartment in the down tube. And not to forget: I had to charge the batteries for the electric SRAM Force AXS so I wouldn’t accidentally get stuck on the smallest sprocket before tackling any climbs...

The Factor Monza with SRAM Force AXS, for example, is available here for 7,999 euros.

Despite the changeable weather and the stresses of everyday life, I managed to go for my first ride at the weekend and was hooked after just a few turns of the pedals. On straight stretches, the bike accelerates powerfully without me having to exert much effort. The gears shift up and down quickly and quietly, just as I like them to on varying gradients. Even tight bends feel smooth and stable. The riding position is relatively relaxed for such a sporty road bike – at least enough that I didn’t get any neck pain after my first short ride, despite having had a long break from cycling. It’s not just a pure racing bike, but is also suitable for training.

In the footsteps of ‘Around Cologne’

My second ride took me through the Bergisches Land near Cologne, where I managed to clock up a few metres of elevation gain. Despite its aerodynamic design, the Monza is also built to be lightweight. And even though the 35/33 gear ratio isn’t primarily designed for climbing, I have to put the difficulties I faced on the steep ascent at the Wand von Sand (up to a 13 per cent gradient, source: quaeldich.de) down more to my fitness, which could do with some work. But as we all know, what goes up must come down – even if not straight away – and the winding descents were all the more fun on the Factor.

Anyone who has ever cycled on a road bike in the Bergisches Land, however, knows that the region isn’t exactly renowned for its smooth tarmac roads. The ‘back roads’ in particular are riddled with potholes, turning the route into an obstacle course. Here, the comfort of the road bike once again came into its own, effortlessly absorbing minor bumps. However, the 28 mm-wide Goodyear tyres didn’t stop me from being thoroughly shaken about on the cobbled section near Bensberg Castle...

Initial interim conclusions

The Factor Monza fitted with SRAM Force AXS As you’d expect, it’s a high-end road bike that has impressed across the board so far. It’s been particularly enjoyable on straight stretches and descents – hopefully I’ll start to enjoy the climbs too once my fitness improves. In any case, I’m really looking forward to putting the aero road bike through its paces over the next few months and perhaps even breaking with one or two conventions along the way...

Just a quick note: The data from the wind tunnel test and the TOUR test laboratory is expected to be collected in the autumn, once the Factor has returned safely to the Munich editorial office.