2026 | ALUTO Force AXS E1 XPLR

Going wider for tyre clearance is not just a matter of increasing the width of the fork and seatstays. Increased tyre volume has a direct impact on the handling as well as the effective geometry. The ALUTO’s geometry has been optimised around 45 mm tyres with a performance maximum of 47 mm as measured tyre clearance in the rear. This balanced decision ensures the handling remains sharp and snappy. Compared to the OSTRO Gravel, the ALUTO has a slightly steeper head tube angle and equally short chainstays to maintain a shorter wheelbase and enhance agility. We’ve lowered the bottom bracket to shift the centre of gravity downward, stabilising the ride and balancing the shorter wheelbase while increasing control across variable terrain. With a slightly higher stack than the OSTRO Gravel, the ALUTO allows for a more adaptable fit for a wider range of riders without compromising a race-ready position.

Keeping the handling sharp and responsive remained a top priority for Factor engineers when designing the ALUTO. Even when running the allowed maximum tyre width, the bike still needed to feel nimble. The minimal-design fork with reduced volume delivers forgiveness without softness, while increasing responsiveness. It’s a construction that works harmoniously with the wide volume tyres to enhance the comfort levels and grip, without dampening the agility. The handling of the ALUTO is sharp but tuned for fatigue resistance. The carbon lay-up for the front end combines with the tube shapes to provide a brighter, lighter ride feel over long hours.

Long distance racing, training, and exploring all require not only high performance design cues, but utilitarian integration. Down tube storage provides a secure, aero solution that allows the rider to stash tools and other essentials without the need of a saddle bag or bar bag, both of which cause dramatic drag. Whether the ride will last 30 or 300 kilometres, having a safe place to store tyre repair kit and a multitool ensures that you’ll be able to fix all the most common mechanicals. The ALUTO frame accepts only electronic drivetrains with hydraulic brakes, removing the need to include additional holes and ports for mechanical drivetrains. The full internal cable routing has been designed to be mechanic-friendly while offering clean aesthetics and optimal cable protection.

The remit for the ALUTO was to design a bike that could be fast from rough tarmac to technical mountain trails. The 1x and 2x compatibility was an important feature decision since it allows the rider to set up the bike for their most likely case-use scenario. Someone more focused on road and light gravel courses will likely gravitate to the 2x option while those seeking to make it more off-road adventure-worthy will likely appreciate the ability to build it up with a 1x without clutter. Multiple mountain points for bottle cages and a bento box support everything from race-day minimalism to light adventure setups. A round seatpost (27.2) with external clamp offers both ease of adjustment and dropper post compatibility. And the now nearly ubiquitous UDH-compatible rear dropout ensures drivetrain flexibility and future-proofs the frame for future drivetrain upgrades.