Factors new Elara gravel bike is the latest addition to its off-road range, and looks set to rival Ridley and Argon 18s aero-optimised gravel racers.The Elara gets a wide-mouth fork inspired by the road-racing One, alongside new progressive geometry with a longer reach, yet shorter trail for fast handling and clearance for 57mm tyres.Perhaps the biggest surprise, however, is Factor has managed to retain 2x compatibility, yet kept the back end short with 423mm chainstays.We spotted an aero-gravel prototype from Factor at this year's Traka, alongside the suspension-fork equipped Sarana. This looks to be the full production version of that bike. I've tested 2026's leading gravel race bikes these three made the podium, but only one stood above the rest as our Bike of the YearNew geometry We spotted the prototype Factor aero gravel bike at the 2026 Traka. The Elara is the production version of this bike. Simon von Bromley / Our Media The Elaras geometry has a longer reach, reduced trail and lower bottom bracket compared to its predecessor.According to Factor, this is the key to improving the handling, especially when using larger tyres.The increased length of the front centre is said to better manage the centre of gravity and put the rider within the bike. Its a position Factor says will feel familiar to road racers, with the bike remaining composed over gravel. That's something Im keen to try out because the previous Ostro gravel struggled to maintain its composure on the roughest terrain.The shape of the Elaras frame is informed by lots of CFD aerodynamic work, and you can see the influence of both the One and Ostro VAM road bikes in the Elaras design.1x or 2x The Factor Elara has provision for a front derailleur. Factor In a bold move, Factor has retained 2x compatibility for the Elara, whereas its rival gravel bikes from the likes of Argon 18, Scott and Ridley have switched to solely 1x designs.Factors design engineer, Stuart Munro, explains: Nobodys managed to keep a proper short rear-centre on a 2x gravel bike with 57s. We just kept shaving it until it fit, 423mm chainstays, and everything still clears. 2x was never negotiable; we didnt want to force a drivetrain choice just to fit a tyre. Thats not how we work.Factor says it has overcome this challenge by using a shapely and very thin driveside chainstay. It claims this could be achieved by producing the Elara frame as a true monocoque one-piece construction because a thin joint here could be a weakness. The result is a frame with better alignment, less machining required and a lighter weight.Aero included The Elara fork has a similar forward-facing leading edge as the One road bike. Factor Factor says the Elara design draws on Factors One and Ostro VAM designs, with planar fork integration (the wide-mouth crown and forward position of the fork's leading edge), a narrow hourglass head tube, and refined leading-edge transitions around the down tube and bottle zones.The brand says CFD validation has confirmed measurable drag reductions with 45-57mm race tyres (although it hasnt provided any data to support this). Factor claims the Elara delivers aero efficiency on a par with modern road frames.There is a down-tube storage port, so Factor says you wont spoil the aerodynamics with add-on bags when carrying all the essentials for training and race days.Black Inc components The new gravel bar is designed to work aerodynamically with the Elara's hourglass head tube and wide fork. Factor Factors component partner, Black Inc, has created both a one-piece cockpit for the Elara and a new aero gravel wheelset.The new Black Inc Aero Gravel Bar AB07 one-piece cockpit offers a subtle flare, integrated computer mount and internal hose routing.The new Black Inc Sixty Four gravel wheels have a 64mm-deep aero rim and a 30mm internal width. The new Sixty Four gravel wheel is 60mm deep with a 30mm internal width. Factor The Factor Elara will be available in six sizes, ranging from 49 to 61cm. The Elara can be ordered with a zero or 20mm-setback seatpost.The Black Inc Aero Gravel Bar AB07 Barstem comes in a wide range of sizes, from 36cm bar width and 80mm stem length to a 40cm-wide bar and 140mm-long stem.Pricing begins at $5,999 / 7,199 for a frame package.