FACTOR HANZO

AERO PRIORITY

It’s a common saying that bikes have become as aerodynamic as possible. However, the Factor HANZŌ proves otherwise. When designing it, we set out to capitalize on the revised UCI rules with the goal of making the fastest time trial bike in the world. By focusing on every part of the bike, both individually and as a whole, we pushed each UCI directive to the absolute limit in innovative ways. Other manufacturers who don’t have their own factories can’t come close to the level of process control that makes such precision possible. This means that we’ve been able to make the HANZŌ faster and more aerodynamically efficient than the SLiCK and even faster than non-UCI-sanctioned time trial and triathlon frames.

Sharp leading edge

The front of the frame sets the standard for aerodynamic efficiency. A change in the UCI rules now allows the minimum cross-section of all tubes to be as small as 1cm, compared to a previous minimum of 2.5cm. With this new rule, we can reduce the frontal area by up to 60%. However, it’s not as simple as it sounds, as the front inevitably has large functional constraints such as headset bearings and cable routing that get in the way. By focusing on reducing the surface area, we have managed to reduce the net aerodynamic drag of the area exposed to undisturbed airflow. Simultaneously selecting the perfect aerodynamic profiles while considering the angle of attack remains the key to ensuring the bike performs optimally in real-world racing conditions.

AIRFLOW BASED AERODYNAMICS

Designing the HANZŌ to handle the different types of flow a rider will encounter means considering several distinct conditions in the design process: the undisturbed flow behind the rider’s body, the rotating air reacting to the wheels, and the turbulent flow coming from the rider’s legs and calves. Having the thinnest possible frame thickness and allowing plenty of clearance between the frame and the spinning wheels contributes to aerodynamics. At the same time, radical chainstays serve as in-line aerodynamic flow regulators to channel the vortices emerging from the rider’s rotating legs and feet.

A true aerodynamic profile is essential

Having an extremely thin front end, where the fork shape combines with the frame shape, creates a true aerodynamic profile to optimize the lowest possible drag by facilitating full laminated grip at low angles of attack. This incredibly aerodynamic design with a one-piece fork, external steerer, combined with the mono-riser, also improves structural efficiency, as it is a single-piece solution that would normally be made up of dozens of bolted and stacked elements. The ability to mold the entire assembly in one piece provides exceptional stiffness and weight improvements over systems that have extensive material overlap in glued joints or sliding joints. Each part of the bike has been carefully shaped, paying particular attention to the transitions between tube shapes to provide the best possible performance at low and high angles of attack.

Cut the times

Whether the race is WorldTour level or a local time trial series on a Wednesday night, every competitive cyclist wants equipment that enhances every performance. The HANZŌ time trial bike pushes the boundaries of UCI design regulations to make it one of the fastest UCI-approved time trial bikes in the world.

Reduced projected area

By reducing the front of the bike so drastically, resulting in the narrowest possible head tube, the projected area is reduced. The projected area is the area hidden by the object as it moves in its direction of travel. By reducing the projected area of the HANZŌ by 31% compared to the SLiCK, drag is effectively reduced at all speeds.
Aerodynamic interaction between wheels and frame

Spinning wheels and tires present a unique challenge. The fully reversible flow comes from the spinning tire and interferes with the frame and fork, causing drag. With the HANZŌ, we carefully distanced the airfoil sections from the spinning tire, avoiding the interaction effect and allowing both sections to function optimally. This approach accommodates tires up to 28mm. More space around the tires reduces the effect of a tire’s shape on airflow through the fork and frame. The one-piece fork, with its wide footprint, not only improves efficiency with the spinning front wheel, but at the rear, the seatstays are as wide as UCI regulations allow to smooth out airflow between the rear wheel and frame, as well as airflow off the rider’s calves.
INTEGRATION AND COMPATIBILITY

As the first bike to fully exploit the potential of the new UCI design rules, the HANZŌ uses never-before-used streamlined sections across the entire 16cm length enabled by the alignment of the head and down tube housings. The design also integrates the frame’s chainstay and top tube into one aerodynamic section, with smooth transitions between these shapes to ensure minimal airflow detachment. Cable and brake line integration also plays a key role in ensuring the HANZŌ presents the most aerodynamic face to the wind possible.

BOM MINIMIZATION

The radical approach to front-end design results in a one-piece fork with an external head tube and monoriser. What this solution achieves in one piece would normally require dozens of components bolted together and stacked on top of each other.

PURIST DESIGN FOR TIME TRIAL

Every aspect of the HANZŌ has been designed to be most effective for serious time trial racing and very fast triathlon events. This laser approach is the result of pushing the UCI design rules to their limits while remaining 100% compliant with UCI regulations.

NACA 3:1 PROFILE SEAT POST

We used the same 3:1 NACA profile seatpost found on the SLiCK model, as it is already extremely aerodynamic and offers the practicality of being able to accommodate a Di2 battery.