Tested: Factor Aluto – fast and fun

In a cycling world increasingly filled with ultra-specialised gravel machines, the release of the new Factor Aluto came as something of a surprise. Fresh off testing Cervélo’s fully committed aero race-gravel machine, the Aluto was not the style I expected. Skinny-ish tube profiles and playful colour schemes make this bike look more spirited than all-business. Perhaps it’s the counterpoint to Factor’s race-focused sibling, the Ostro Gravel.

The Aluto positions itself squarely in the middle of the spectrum: a performance-driven gravel bike designed for speed, efficiency, and versatility rather than pure ruggedness or outright aerodynamics. After some time on the bike across a range of terrain, it’s clear the Aluto isn’t chasing trends. Instead, it’s carving out a deliberate identity of its own.

First impressions

Everyone has different tastes. Call me a traditionalist, but I’m a sucker for understated tube profiles rather than chunked-out aero sections. I’m well aware this isn’t always best for outright performance, but aesthetically it’s my jam. So at first sight of the Aluto, I was immediately enamoured. It spoke to me of what a gravel bike should be: spritely, fun, lively.

The tube profiles hint at aerodynamic considerations, with an emphasis on minimalism and weight reduction. But let’s dive into a few details and see whether the proof is indeed in the pudding.

Geometry and key numbers

Dylan Johnson has suggested that tyre clearance is one of the most important considerations in a modern gravel bike, with around 45 mm being the minimum worth having. Gravel riding and racing continue trending toward larger tyre volumes, sometimes approaching mountain-bike territory. The Aluto passes his test, with maximum clearances of 47 mm at the rear and 52 mm at the front — enough room for generous rubber.

The frame geometry boasts a fairly short wheelbase (1035 mm for the 56 cm tested), short chainstays (423 mm), and a relatively steep head angle (72°), all of which, in theory, combine to produce lively, sharp handling. A low bottom bracket lowers the centre of gravity but can make pedal clearance trickier over rough terrain.

Factor Bikes claims to have varied the carbon layup and tube shaping strategically to maximise stiffness where needed while providing forgiveness elsewhere. This seems visible in the contrast between the bottom bracket and chainstays — which look quite chunky — and the more slender seatstays and seat tube. The tapered head tube profile reinforces the intent to keep the frame minimal, while the notably slim fork blades are designed to deliver what the brand calls “forgiveness without softness.”

Other notable design features include:

• UDH-compatible rear dropout
  
  
• Round seat tube, allowing for options like a dropper post
  
  
• A medium number of mounting points (bento, under-downtube, and bottles)
  
  
• Fully internal cable routing
  
  
• Compatibility with both 1× and 2× drivetrains
  
  
• Downtube storage (more on this shortly)
  
  
• Electronic-shifting compatibility only (tested model: SRAM Force E1 XPLR)
  
  
• Black Inc components, including carbon wheels and an integrated bar-stem
  
  

All of this adds up to a package that weighs about 8.2 kg as tested. That’s enjoyably light for a 56 cm gravel bike — and when I first picked it up, I honestly thought it might be even lighter.

On the road/gravel

Where the Aluto truly distinguishes itself is in how it rides. I can’t provide lab numbers or wind-tunnel charts, so what follows is a collection of ride impressions — the various factors that define its character. The dominant feeling? Fun, fun, fun.

This bike comes together as a cohesive unit and begs to be thrown around. Acceleration feels immediate, almost eager. When you stand on the pedals, the bike surges forward with a responsiveness closer to a performance road machine than a typical gravel platform.

Climbing is particularly enjoyable. Efficient power transfer and a relatively light feel encourage you to maintain momentum and attack gradients rather than spin passively. On rolling terrain, the bike rewards active riding — surge, recover, surge again — making every stretch of road or trail engaging.

Cornering is equally impressive. The front end tracks confidently through bends, giving you the confidence to carry speed without second-guessing your line.

I rode the Aluto across a wide range of terrain, and it felt assured and nimble in every situation — from mixed paths on the commute to dirt roads and rocky, jarring trail sections. In all these settings, the bike gave the impression it was ready and willing to comply.

Performance often comes at the expense of comfort, but the Aluto remains accommodating over longer distances. Subtle compliance in the rear triangle and seatpost helps mute high-frequency vibrations, reducing fatigue in the lower back and legs. Combined with wide tyres at sensible pressures, the ride becomes surprisingly smooth even on rougher surfaces.

This makes it well-suited to endurance gravel events or all-day exploration rides. You can push hard when you want to, yet still arrive home without feeling battered.

If this bike performs so well, why would you choose Factor’s more aero-focused gravel model (Ostro Gravel) instead? Having not tested that bike, my answer is inevitably biased — but after a decent amount of time on the Aluto, my sense is that for anyone other than the most committed pure gravel racer, this would be the model I’d recommend.

If you’re not regularly hitting gravel sectors at 45 km/h, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Aluto would feel limiting. Even at higher speeds, the difference between this and a fully aero-optimised machine may not be as large as expected.

I don’t really have many complaints — which, as a reviewer, can feel slightly disappointing. The only real issue I found was the downtube storage. The compartment under the bottle cage is basically too small to be genuinely useful. I could fit a tube in there, but not my mini-pump or any other meaningful spares.

That raises the question: is it worth having at all? I’d suggest perhaps not. The extra carbon reinforcement around the opening, combined with the bulkier bottle cage needed for access, adds weight for minimal benefit. Still, this is a very small gripe in what is otherwise a superbly thought-out package.

Build options

The Aluto is offered in several builds. The frameset alone retails for $6,799 AUD. The build tested here, with SRAM Force and a power meter, comes in at $11,899, while the top model with SRAM Red costs $14,699. Depending on your perspective, those prices might seem reasonable or out of reach. It’s certainly not the most expensive bike on the market, but neither is it positioned as a budget option. It seems Factor is content to let other models fill that role — the Aluto is built for performance.

Who is it for?

While I would happily have this as my gravel race bike, some dedicated gravel racer seeking a fully aero-optimised machine might not agree. The price places it beyond what many purely recreational riders would consider. Nor does it have quite the mounting capacity for full expedition-style bikepacking.

Instead, the Aluto fits beautifully in the middle ground. It’s ideal for riders looking for a versatile gravel bike suited to semi-long adventures, short hit-outs, fast-flowing trails, and even trickier technical routes. This is a bike for someone who wants to ride all those things — but fast.

It always feels like it’s urging you to stomp on the pedals and push harder. I’d happily do everything on this bike, from hopping gutters on the commute home to lining up at one of Australia’s many excellent gravel events. In short, the Aluto is a versatile performance machine.

Strengths

• Fast and genuinely fun
  
  
• Responsive handling
  
  
• Balanced comfort for long rides
  
  
• Clean, integrated design
  
  
• Highly versatile ride character
  
  

Trade-offs

• Not built for ultra-wide tyres (though wide enough for most riders)
  
  
• Less suited to heavily loaded bikepacking
  
  
• Performance-focused feel may be sharp for casual riders

Specs (test bike)

Frame: Toray® / Nippon Graphite® pan-based fibre
 Fork: Factor Aluto carbon
 Seatpost: 0 mm or 25 mm setback options
 Bar-Stem: Black Inc integrated unit
 Wheelset: Black Inc Thirty Four
 Max Tyre Clearance: 47 mm measured

Groupset: SRAM Force E1 XPLR
 Speed: 1×13
 Chainring: 44T
 Cassette: 10–46T
 Rotors: 160 mm