{"id":264005,"date":"2026-09-23T09:03:42","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T09:03:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/23\/factor-elara-review-how-does-the-fastest-gravel-bike-in-the-wind-tunnel-perform-in-the-real-world\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T09:03:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T09:03:42","slug":"factor-elara-review-how-does-the-fastest-gravel-bike-in-the-wind-tunnel-perform-in-the-real-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/23\/factor-elara-review-how-does-the-fastest-gravel-bike-in-the-wind-tunnel-perform-in-the-real-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Factor Elara review: How does the fastest gravel bike in the wind tunnel perform in the real world?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When I first spotted the new Factor Elara at The Traka<\/a> this year, it left me quite taken aback. Road bike design in recent years has gone rather wild, with the likes of the now relatively conservative Ridley Noah giving way to the likes of the Colnago Y1Rs and Factor\u2019s own ONE, but gravel bikes, even gravel race bikes<\/a>, until very recently had remained \u2018normal\u2019, for want of a better word.<\/p>\n

Enter the Elara, then, with that whopping fork clearly derived from the design principles of the Factor ONE<\/a>. Our own wind tunnel testing<\/a> concludes that it is the fastest gravel bike out there, at least of those that we’ve managed to lay our hands on, and having given it a thorough run out on everything from fast, flat, well graded gravel to what can be best described as \u2018adventurous terrain\u2019, I\u2019m happy to report that chimes with my own experiences.<\/p>\n

It is, like the ONE, an unapologetically race-oriented machine, with no concessions to non-race utility, but unlike the ONE it\u2019s actually a lot easier to see it in use as a training machine if speed and performance<\/a> on the rough stuff is your goal. It\u2019s not necessarily the right bike for me, but I have very much enjoyed riding it.<\/p>\n

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It’s a mean looking machine, but cover up that fork with your thumb and it looks a lot less out-there. <\/span>(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Factor Elara review<\/p>\n

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(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Verdict: <\/strong>A very good gravel race bike, and while it is less versatile than some other extremely racy competitors it is more every-day-rideable than you might expect from looking at it, providing you want a bike with extremely quick and nimble handling. It’s well specced, though the Force build is a little heavy compared to others and a little expensive. If you’re racing it’ll absolutely be an asset. <\/p>\n

For: <\/strong>Superior aerodynamics, extremely sharp handling, configurable at point of sale, looks pretty cool, is a blast to ride.<\/p>\n

Against: <\/strong>Not the most comfortable so needs lower tyre pressures, perhaps not the best value, heavier than other Force equipped options, can’t actually fit 57mm tyres<\/p>\n

Score: <\/strong>84%<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Tech specs<\/p>\n

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