The OPEN U.P. was already one of the most versatile and interesting bikes of the gravel world, but now it’s getting even better. While the frame is keeping all of the 700c x 40mm or 650b x 2.1″ tire capabilities, some of the biggest changes aren’t visible to the naked eye. Though you might feel them if you pick it up. Citing a change to the carbon layup, the U.P.P.E.R. frame weight drops to 870g (from 1100g) for the medium while providing a slight boost to the overall torsional stiffness and maintaining frame strength.
Combined with the new OPEN U-Turn fork at 375g, the OPEN U.P.P.E.R. now sits as the premium model in the OPEN line up with a few other details that will set it apart…
Part of the U.P.P.E.R.’s redesign includes the new OPEN U-Turn fork which reduces the weight to 375g while claiming to increase fore-aft compliance and providing clearance for a massive 650b x 2.5″ tire. Both the frame and the fork make the move to flat mount brakes, though the fork goes about it in a new way. Using bolts that thread through the front of the fork leg into the brake, the front flat mount is more like the flat mounts we’ve seen on the rear of many bikes. This design eliminates the front brake bracket adapter for the simplest form of attachment.
The fork also makes use of a new 12 x 100mm X-Lock thru axle from Carbon-Ti to lighten things up even further.
The same Carbon-Ti thru axle is used on the rear in a 142 x 12mm configuration. Flat mount brakes are used in the rear with the standard configuration with bolts mounted up through the chainstay. On the U.P.P.E.R. the front brake mount is meant for a 160mm rotor while the rear can run 140mm or 160mm with an adapter.
The U.P.P.E.R. maintains the use of a BB386EVO bottom bracket with a 36/50t max for a double, or 46/50t max for single rings (46t is limit for rings offset to the inside like SRAM rings, 50t is the limit for flat rings which offer better chainline). Offered only in matte black for the U.P.P.E.R., OPEN says this is due to the fact that their matte black is the lightest paint they have. Available now and shipping this month, price for the frameset (frame, fork, axles, and small parts) is set at $4500.
