Classic Contrast  Makes For A Beautiful OPEN Up

In today’s fast paced, full Technicolor world of ever evolving design possibilities, every now and again we’re treated to an example of enduring style. Something to remind us that less is often more, and some things will always look good, no matter what’s going on around them. This notion is embodied in our newest round of a Beautiful Bicycle, a black and silver themed custom built OPEN UP. 

Whether it’s the gleaming contrast of chromed Dayton wire wheels on a Series I Jaguar XKE, or the limited edition polished silver Shimano GRX build kit and HED Emporias setting off this Metallic Midnight Black OPEN Up, it’s hard to argue that silver over black is classically foolproof. Making this OPEN Up even more special is the fact that the Midnight Black Metallic colorway is a very limited Contender Bicycles paint job, so the lucky owner is not likely to run into too many look-alikes. 

OPEN UP - We’ve been big fans of the OPEN UP since its inception. With the UP, OPEN helped define the genre of the “Go Fast, Go Anywhere” bike. As one of the most versatile yet high performing frames on the market, the UP easily lends itself to the “classic meets contemporary” build featured on this Beautiful Bicycle. When paired with the polished silver build kit, this UP artfully channels the frame’s classic lines and subtlety reminds both viewer and rider that this is a top-tier performance machine, despite its almost vintage appearance. 

Eye-Catching Alloys - Perhaps the most striking aspect of this OPEN’s high-contrast build are the HED Emporia GA Pro Silver Edition wheels. At 1535 grams for the pair, the Emporias weigh in lighter than some of their carbon competition, so the high level of style points don’t come at much of a weight cost. The 25mm internal width readily accepts the 43mm Panaracer Gravel Kings and the wheel’s polished, classic flare hearkens back to what high-end bikes looked like years ago. 

Polished Performance Parts - The polished silver Shimano GRX Limited Edition groupset celebrates the longstanding heritage of drop bar adventure riding, reminding us that riders have been venturing off the pavement for many years. The shiny kit also brings a classic look to GRX’s modern tech. The 1x simplicity and wide range are a perfect fit for a forward-thinking bike like the OPEN UP.
Classic Ritchey Control - Staying true to the course set by the drivetrain and wheelset, polished silver Ritchey VentureMax Drop handlebars, a polished Ritchey Classic stem and seatpost complete the cockpit. Lending more of a “vintage adventure” look to the controls, the VentureMax bars feature a short reach, shallow drop and purposeful flare, as well as Ritchey’s classic “Bio-bend” that’s been a staple of Ritchey bars for years.
A final touch that effectively brings the worlds of black and silver together is the mid-grey Enve bar tape. There’s no denying the unique, purposeful, yet wildly stylish overall character of this OPEN UP!

Ready to make your own statement with a custom bike built your way? Check out our Custom Builds section, or reach out to us at the shop and we'll help make your vision a reality!