TESTED: Factor Lando HT

Photographer: Mike Blewitt | Words: Mike Blewitt

Factor Bikes are a premium cycling brand, known to many in the road cycling world for their precision bikes and premium builds. While Factor have mastered the Tour de France, with their Israel Cycling Academy riders winning two stages in the 2022 edition, the world of dirt is a newer playing field for the premium manufacturer. 

In March 2022, Factor Bikes released two mountain bikes into their range, something they had been planning for a number of years. Firstly, the Factor Lando XC, which is a cross-country, marathon and stage race focused dual-suspension 29er. I tested this bike through winter in 2022, and was thoroughly impressed by the suspension platform, handling, weight and overall rigidity of the design. The Lando HT was released at the same time, boasting a svelte 850g frame weight with big 2.4” tyre clearance. It's not strictly a hardtail version of the full-suspension Lando XC. While the design aesthetic remains, with a large downtube, slender top tube, internal routing and big head tube – the design intent is a little different. Factor have designed the Lando HT around a 110mm travel fork, although you can also buy it with a rigid fork. This bike can be your no compromise racing machine, but it's also for gravel pursuits, bikepacking events, or ultra endurance challenges. In this sense, it's a perfect fit to be a gateway drug for Factor's existing client base of road riders.

Tester: Mike Blewitt
Riding Experience: Long enough to avoid having a real job.
Generally Rides: Norco Revolver FS 120, HT 120
Height: 178cm
Weight: 72kg
Bike Test Track: Greater Brisbane and Brisbane side country

The Factor Lando HT is available direct to consumer, in four sizes from XS to large. You can choose to buy a frame kit with one piece Black Inc bar/stem, add Black Inc wheels or fork to that – or go for the full bike build as tested here. Pricing for the frame and bar/stem starts at about $5400 depending on the exchange rate, shipped to your door in either naked carbon (as tested) or vintage blue. A whole bike as tested with SRAM Eagle XX1 AXS, Black Inc carbon wheels and a DT Swiss F232 suspension fork will run about $11625 shipped to your door. Again, this will depend on the exchange rate. This is more than the Specialized S-Works Epic hardtail frame set at $4200, although that lacks a bar and stem. It's about the same as an OPEN One+ frame, although with much better tyre clearance. The closest bike you could really compare it to would be the Canyon Exceed CFR LTD. It is also direct to consumer, has an integrated cockpit, and is crazy light. It would cost you about $10500 shipped to your door, although they aren't currently available. Overall, a high end hardtail is a rare beast, and one that is hard to find at your local dealer. So perhaps it is fitting that the best source is global supply from direct to consumer brands like Factor. As the need for a hardtail is alive and well beyond our shores – but they're a tonne of fun to ride here.


Initial Impressions

Just like the Factor Lando XC I received in 2022, the Lando XC comes with some assembly required. Notably, more than a Canyon, which is also direct to consumer. The build up includes fitting the rear derailleur, chain (and cutting to length), cutting the fork steerer, adding the brake levers to the brake lines, fitting up the cockpit, and mounting tyres, cassette and rotors on the wheels. The upshot is you can easily make some small changes while building up your dream bike at this point, or choose how you want to build it. Factor give you the option to run the rear brake hose (or dropper outer, if you fit one) internal from the head set, or via the front of the head tube. I went for the latter for easier servicing, and packing when I send the bike back. If you're not that comfortable on these elements, just book some time at your local shop – that's what I do to get the brakes tip top.

In terms of finishing, the bike is as neatly finished as the Lando XC, and befitting what you would expect from a top-shelf brand. Factor may be new to mountain bikes with their name on them, but the company aren't new to mountain bikes. They look after the design and manufacture of a few major mountain bike brands, so their experience in design and manufacturing is well-established.

The geometry on the Lando HT differs slightly from the Lando XC, as the overall intent does change a little. The head angle is 68.5 degrees, with a 430mm chain stay length across all sizes. The seat angle ranges from 73.5 – 74.5 degrees, being steeper on the smaller sizes. Reach on my large test bike is 476mm and the T47 bottom bracket shell carries across from the Lando XC, as does clearance for 2.4” tyres – plus mud – which is a huge bonus for those who will search out adventure in races or otherwise.

Compared to my own hardtail, the frame on the Lando HT is far more open, with less drop in the top tube. While it is a long way from being an old school design, it does allow the use of frame bags within the main triangle, and a full two-bottle mounts. For long days or adventures, these are both important aspects.

The build kit didn't hold many surprises, save for the Black Inc TwentySeven wheels still coming in at a couple of hundred grams heavier than claimed, at about 1680g, not 1440g. Factor don't send the bikes with a dropper post, but such an item is easy to add later if you prefer to use a dropper. Personally I find a dropper post equipped XC hardtail a very capable bike to ride, and one with low maintenance needs.

The frame uses a Universal Derailleur Hanger, which should future proof it for any major component announcements. The disc brake uses a flat mount, to remove threads from the frame, and the seat stays are dropped down the seat tube in a bid to add vertical compliance. 

Once built up, the large test bike weighed 9.15kg, which is light! The frame has a claimed weight of 850g, and you could certainly do a project build on this thing to make something crazy light if that was your thing. I was mostly interested in how it would ride compared to the full-suspension Lando XC. Would it offer the same stability at speed? Would it accelerate like a cat up a drain pipe? And would it climb like an angel, even if I couldn't?

On The Trail

Throwing a leg over the Factor, it felt pretty familiar. I spend a lot of time on my own long-reach carbon hardtail. The Lando HT is a tiny bit shorter, with 10mm less fork travel, and almost 1kg less weight as well. The Factor Lando has a  476mm reach in the large, which is the largest size in the hardtail. Factor will have done their research on this, with insights into what sizes other brands they make frames for. But I'm average height, so I was a little surprised. But maybe I'm about as tall as an XC-purist gets? You can choose what one-piece bar/stem size you get when you order. All of them have a 760mm width, but with 60, 70, 80 or 90mm stem lengths. I found the width spot on, but would personally run one shorter at 60mm compared to the 70mm model sent.

With remote lock out to the DT Swiss fork, and a 34t ring driving the 10-52 cassette, the Factor Lando HT hummed along easily riding to trails. I spend a lot of time on a hardtail, given my preference to ride to the trails compared to driving there. From multi-use trails to fire trails and dirt roads, the Lando HT offered no surprises. The bottle cage placement on the frame was as expected when reaching for a drink, and the bike responded immediately under power, with the same stiff feeling that the Lando XC had. The dropped seat stays are said to improve ride compliance, and like with most bikes that claim that – I say 'maybe'. This is a hardtail, and if you want plush get a full-suspension bike.

Given the low weight, I did wonder about bouncing around the trails. But I shouldn't have worried, the nice 54.5mm bottom bracket drop keeps your weight centred, and like any hardtail the Lando HT is lots of fun when you remain active. A hardtail comes alive when you work the bike, using the terrain and making sure you're pretty direct with where you need to put the wheels. It's fair to say it requires a bit more fitness and finesse to get a good ride out of a hardtail. When you get lazy, you hit things, get bucked, and generally don't have a good time.

The Lando was quick to change direction, but remained steady on a line. The bottom bracket drop and slack enough head angle meant I never felt the Lando was pinging off everything – although I do feel a shift to some wider tyres and fitting a light weight dropper post would really open up the performance window for a lot of riders. These are easy changes to make, and a minor change when you consider the overall cost and general bespoke nature that a high end hardtail has.

When pointing up, it was clear he Lando HT was born to climb. The low weight was a delight, as was the smooth shifting from the AXS components, including the gratefully received 52t sprocket. The huge down tube and head tube pairs with the one piece cockpit to make a very sturdy subframe when yanking on the bars and pushing the pedals hard on a pinch climb, and I never heard any disc rub or had any creaks. This is only my second time using a bike with the T47 bottom bracket standard, and it remained creak free. The combination of threads and a large DUB axle and large bearings may prove to be the winning bottom bracket standard – time will tell.

This is the third time I have used the DT Swiss F232 fork, and I still really like it, it has a wide range of adjustment, good lock out, low weight and good stiffness. I would prefer a 44mm offset compared to the 51mm. It made less of a difference on the hardtail compared to the slacker Lando XC, but I think it really helps maintain low speed agility. This is a pretty fine detail and a personal preference, and doesn't detract from the ride at all. In fact, the Lando HT delivered a completely no-fuss ride for the entire test period. Nothing came loose, nothing creaked or rattled. It worked faultlessly in the wet and dry, on the flat and in the hills. And that's why a hardtail is such a useful tool for any endurance rider, especially someone focused on competitive events.

Our Take

Make no mistake, a light weight hardtail is not for everyone. And more than ever, a hardtail like the Factor Lando HT has a limited audience. What that has created in Australia though is limited options. Bikes like the Scott Scale, Specialized S-Works, Mondraker Podium and Norco Revolver HT (amongst others) are still winning World Cups and major marathons and stage races on the world stage. And having a top shelf hardtail is par for the course for most supported athletes. But does that mean you and I need one?

I have often opted to own two XC bikes, with a full-suspension bike and a hardtail. I tend to race the full-suspension bike, and train on the hardtail. This puts a lot of load on the hardtail, with more hours, more kilometres, and less servicing. But I never regret doing it, as I get onto my full-suspension bike and it feels so fast and forgiving. For the dedicated bike racer, a bike like the Lando HT may be the perfect partner to a full-suspension bike. But a hardtail is also one of the best adventure bikes around. Marry a wide gear range, room for 2.4” tyres, two bidon mounts, rigid fork options and modern handling and you have one top shelf adventure bike that can rip your local singletrack or carry you on a multiday flashpacking trip just as easily.

If you're not convinced about hardtails – this is not the bike for you. But if you're annoyed at how hard it is to find  a top quality hardtail in Australia, then I highly recommend looking closely at the Factor Lando HT. It's light, well-built, handles well, and is an absolute rocket ship.

SPECIFICATIONS 

Brand: Factor
Model: Lando HT
RRP: $11625
Weight: 9.15kg
From: factorbikes.com

Available Sizes:  XS, S, M, L (tested)
Frame Material: Carbon fibre
Fork: DT Swiss R232, 110mm, 51mm offset
Shifter: SRAM Eagle XX1 AXS, 12sp
Derailleur: SRAM Eagle XX1 AXS, 12sp
Crank: SRAM Eagle XX1, 175mm, 34t
Bottom bracket:  CeramicSpeed T47
Chain: SRAM Eagle XX1, Black
Cassette: SRAM Eagle XX1, 10-52, 12sp
Wheel Set: Black Inc Twenty Seven
Tyres: Good Year Peak 29 x 2.25”
Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate, 160/160mm

Stem: Black Inc one piece, 8 degree sweep and rise, 760mm
Seatpost: Black Inc carbon, 31.6mm
Saddle: Selle Italia SLR