Factor, widely known for producing some of the best road bikes, has announced the launch of its Lando XC and HT mountain bike platforms. Lando is the next logical step for Factor, which already has a line of off-road-focused models, including the Factor Vista and LS gravel bikes.

According to founder Rob Guiterice, Factor has always been about building premium bicycles and is not defined by a specific bike or discipline. In fact, Guiterice is no stranger to the mountain bike design process, tracing the brand's roots back to its days as a design manufacturer, building Cervelo, Santa Cruz, and Rocky Mountain bikes.

The Factor Lando XC and HT, as their names suggest, are designed to handle the technical terrain of modern cross-country mountain biking and marathon stage racing. In fact, Lando made its debut at this year's Absa Cape Epic, where Team Amani Racing's Nancy Akinyi Debe and Jordan Schleck Sekanwagi tested it on some of the toughest terrain on the planet.

Lando aims to appeal not only to Factor loyalists, but also to riders seeking a premium option to compete with the current perennials that dominate the best mountain bike segment. The result is a bike that stays true to the geometry and suspension kinematics of modern mountain bike design, but also draws on Factor's extensive knowledge of carbon fiber. [Lando is available in two versions, full suspension and hardtail, named XC and HT, respectively. [The XC is Factor's highest-performance model, with a single-pivot frame weighing just 2.1 kg. with a 100-120 mm front and 115 mm rear suspension configuration, Lando XC's suspension kinematics are tuned to balance traction, speed, and comfort. tuned to balance traction, speed, and comfort.

As for geometry, the 67-degree head angle and 75.5-degree seat angle are consistent across all four bike sizes. This progressive geometry positions the rider above the bottom bracket, which aids in power delivery and modulation.

The frame's split seat tube allows for a monobox chainstay connection, increasing torsional stiffness without the need for additional pivots. This single-link shock design also prevents stiction and premature shock wear. The combination of a long top tube and short stem was chosen for riding tight, tricky singletrack that requires quick, responsive steering.

Cables can be routed externally or internally; Lando is only available in 1x and comes with an ultra-convenient threaded T47 bottom bracket. Co-developed with CeramicSpeed, fitting is hassle-free and natively compatible with DUB and Shimano 55mm chainlines.

As the name suggests, the Lando HT takes a classic hardtail style and builds on what it has learned from the brand's road and gravel lineup, with the dropped seatstays taking center stage; while it shares some similarities with the Vista and Ostro VAM, the HT is essentially a mountain bike, featuring the same 67-degree head angle as its XC siblings. [While it does not feature rear suspension, the flat top tube creates flex under load, and the drop stays improve compliance on bumpy surfaces. Boost 1x spacings and an 88.5 axle standard allow for a wider downtube and up to 2.4 inches of tire clearance. It can also be equipped with a fully rigid black ink fork if preferred.

Both models feature bottle cage bosses on the underside of the downtube and top tube for storage options. They are available in four colors: Vintage Blue (pictured), Crystal Green, Stealth, and Naked Carbon.

Both the Lando XC and HT are constructed with a 34, 10-52T SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS groupset and SRAM Level Ultimate brakes. As expected, high-end carbon components from Black Ink were used in abundance, consisting of a bar stem, seat post, and wheels. Black Ink's 27 wheels feature 5-pawl ceramic speed hubs and chrome nickel DT Swiss axles. Tires should come standard on all Landes, either Goodyear Peak or Maxxis Aspen, depending on global availability.

At launch, both bikes will feature DT Swiss suspension: the DT Swiss FT232 One fork (with different travel) is common, while the XC will feature the DT Swiss R232 One shock. Touch points are SRAM (grips) and the saddle is Selle Italia's SLR Boost Superflow X-Cross TI (145mm).

The Lando XC and HT are priced at $9,199/€8,399/£6,999 and $7,099/€6499/£5,399, respectively. Each bike is also available with a frameset option, and the Lando HT can be equipped with a factory black-ink rigid fork. [A trail test of the Factor Lando XC will be available on sister site Bike Perfect in the coming weeks.