OPEN UPPER CONCEPT

It has been a full nine years since the release of the original and ground breaking OPEN U.P. (Unbeaten Path) and it has remained one of the premium gravel bikes in the market. Furthermore, it was a genre-defining bike. While it may not have the most distinct profile or the aero-aesthetic of some bikes, it has remained very relevant. Soon after OPEN released the UPPER which had the same geometry and shape, but a lighter layup. 

With the original Open UP, owner/designer Gerard Vroomen (who also co-founded Cervelo) introduced features such as thru-axles threading into derailleur hangers, dropped chainstays, and top-tube mounts for storage to the world of gravel riders. Almost every brand in this space has emulated or copied at least one of these features. 

If you like cars, you are most likely familiar with concept cars. In the auto world, concept cars are usually shown by companies long before the release of the actual model and are used to show the company's imagination for its coming model or to showcase what they can do. Concept bikes are fairly rare in the cycling world. OPEN brings us their newest version of the UPPER as a concept in a very limited production run. 

AGING LIKE A FINE WINE 

OPEN has a dedication to making bikes that age well, and the previous UP lived up to this. Remaining relevant in the gravel scene long after what the expected model life for a bike is, OPEN has shown that every bike they build has some sort of  “future-proofing”.

And from the looks of it, the UPPER CONCEPT will be following the same path. This bike features a UDH derailleur hanger, meaning it can take all SRAM T-Type drivetrains, and the new SRAM RED 13 speed group as well. Keeping it open to all future wireless drivetrain options. It is clear that this OPEN will fall into a similar category as the BMC Kaius or the Cerveo Aspero, leaning towards the “speedy” side of the gravel bike spectrum. Beyond that, OPEN definitely has followed suit with the future proofing concept. Details that lead us to think this include a timeless silhouette and a T47 threaded bottom bracket which leaves room for future crank and power meter development and helps keep the bike serviceable.  A 27.2mm diameter round seatpost also provides a wide-array of possibilities including dropper posts. 

The other side of this is the fact that this bike is built only for electronic groupsets. There are no ports for mechanical housing. While this may be an annoyance to some, it makes sense for a frame of this caliber to be electronic only as Shimano and Sram have more or less eliminated middle to high-end mechanical groups. 

THE BIKE 

Aside from the future-proofing, there are a lot of new details on this bike. The bike features a one-piece cockpit with a different size for each frame. MD frames will have a 42cm bar, and LG frames will have a 43cm bar. These cockpits will provide for 15mm of stem adjustment without swapping any parts. In tandem with the smooth one-piece handlebar, the frame has been fine-tuned for aero, with a narrower head tube and wider downtube. This is not surprising, considering Gerard is considered one of the most influential pioneers of aerodynamic bicycle frames.

Tire clearance has been updated from 42 to 44 ISO width tires as well. This keeps this bike in line with most current “fast” gravel bikes. 

QUANTITY AND CONCE.PT’S  

This concept bike will be made real in January of this coming season. We are taking preorders now which can be found HERE. Quantity will be limited to 250 total bikes, 125 in M and L each. All of these frames are made in a more people and environment friendly Portugal, something Open looks to continue with future models. If you want to get one of these for yourselves, reach out to us via chat, call in, or email us at [email protected].