ACME Bicycle Co & Factor Monza Vexx: Race-Ready Pedigree Meets Real-World Practicality
ACME Bicycle Co is one of our longest standing team partners, providing innumberable fits and building up a not insignificant number of bikes for the team, be they titanium cyclocross bikes or carbon road machines. So when my brother was in town, we made sure to stop by ACME for a bike fit that ultimately turned into new bike day festivities.
What bike did he choose from ACME’s array of manufacturers? Enter the Factor MONZA VEXX Edition, a machine that strikes the perfect balance between high-performance engineering and everyday usability, all with a striking paint job that is impossible to miss.
A Masterpiece in Motion
First, let's talk about that paint job. The MONZA VEXX Edition is a collaboration with VEXX, a young Belgian artist known for his vibrant, pop-culture-infused designs. VEXX grew up watching cycling with his grandfather, and this design reflects those early memories, blending pop culture elements with influences from the natural world.
It’s bold, it’s colorful, and it’s meant to stand out—whether it's gleaming in the sun or splattered with the mud of a brutal Paris-Roubaix-style ride, which is especially fitting given the bike was released for the cobbled classics.
Democratized Geometry and Everyday Speed
Factor is known for engineering super-bikes for WorldTour pros. But with the MONZA, they set out to build a bike with improved practicality. The MONZA inherits the aerodynamic DNA of the OSTRO VAM that I’ve been riding for a few years. It features refined tube shaping, full internal routing, and an integrated Black Inc HB04 cockpit. Factor claims it sits within 2-3 watts of the OSTRO VAM at 45 km/h—so it’s unequivocally fast.
However, the real magic lies in what Factor calls its "democratized geometry" and a suite of details designed to improve daily usability:
In-Frame Storage: The downtube features a storage compartment large enough to hold two tubes, two CO2 cartridges, and a patch kit. This eliminates the need for a saddlebag, which Factor says can save up to six watts of drag while keeping the bike looking incredibly clean.
34mm Tire Clearance: This is probably the biggest benefit over the OSTRO VAM. The ability to run up to 34mm measured tires means the MONZA can easily transition from smooth race circuits to pothole-riddled training routes. It’s built for modern, high-volume road setups.
Serviceability: A round steerer, 1.5-inch bearings, and a standard T47a bottom bracket make the MONZA easier to live with and maintain.
The ACME Bicycle Co. Difference
A frame this good deserves a meticulous build, which is where ACME Bicycle Co. comes in. They performed the original fit, ensured the Monza geometry would work, and then handled all of the ordering and bike setup. Whether you opt for Shimano or SRAM, Factor or No22, or any number of other options, a shop like ACME ensures the bike is built to spec and the fit is dialed in for your specific biomechanics.
