Beautiful Bicycle: Halloween OPEN WIDE
Introduction
Halloween is here, and so are the slasher flicks: Michael Myers with his twisted backstory and lifeless mask; Jason Voorhees silently stalking camp counselors, machete in hand; and Freddy Krueger, in all his pun-wielding, glove-slashing, and disfigured-face glory.
But dare we say, none of them can kill quite like this OPEN WIDE.
With an orange-and-black motif and a custom build designed to crush gravel while picking off competitors one by one, this is a bike made for the most ruthless of riders. In other words, non-killers need not apply.
Frame & Paint: Halloween Ready, Poised For The Attack
OPEN’s WIDE frameset has long been the go-to for gravel riders who don’t just endure rowdy, technical, chunky trails, but actively seek them out. Its carbon chassis delivers the speed and stiffness of a pure road bike, paired with tire clearance and geometry that invite detours into the wild side.
Finished in black with orange accents–a ‘Contender Custom Paint’ offering, for which we still have options in stock–this frame channels Halloween energy without crossing into campy costume territory. Stealth by day, sinister by dusk, and equally suited for crisp canyon climbs or backcountry rips under a harvest moon.
Drivetrain & Power: Silent Assassin
Lurking beneath the surface is a less common but clever Shimano mullet setup–a Shimano XT 12-speed cassette and Di2 rear derailleur, paired with GRX Di2 shifters and brake levers. The result? Mountain gearing and wide range capability, for the steepest of grades, with gravel precision, for when it’s time to attack.
Mid bike, an e*thirteen Helix R 40T chainring keeps the power tight and efficient, while the XT 9–45T cassette ensures there’s always one more gear when the climb turns cruel. Beneath it all, a Wheels Manufacturing bottom bracket anchors the system with unflinching stiffness and smooth, enduring spin.
Power measurement comes from a SRAM Quarq D1 powermeter, quantifying every ounce of slashing, slaying effort. It’s precision-engineered performance that turns pure muscle into pure menace; fast, efficient, and frighteningly effective.
Cockpit & Controls: Surgical, Stealth
Up front, the ENVE carbon road stem ties the cockpit together with surgical stiffness and clean integration. Control–or reckless abandon, depending on your vantage point–comes courtesy of Shimano GRX Di2 hydraulic brake levers and calipers, delivering stopping power worthy of a jump-scare.
Every pull is crisp and confident; no noise, no hesitation. Because when you’re descending into the dark on loose gravel, the ability to stop on command isn’t just a feature; it’s survival.
Wheels & Tires: Ready for the Chase
Gravel-ready wheels come courtesy of Reserve Wheels, with a 40|44 CL GR Wheelset delivering speed and stability in a single, bulletproof package, backed by the brand’s lifetime warranty. Wrapped in Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H tubeless tires, this bike provides a ground game that can’t be stopped, able to carve corners and crush climbs, all while staying dependably upright and stable.
Saddle & Seatpost: Comfort Beyond the Witching Hour
A Specialized Romin EVO Comp with Mimic saddle sits atop an Easton EC70 carbon seatpost, built for balance, comfort, and all-day–or all-night–endurance. Because even killers require a little R&R once the chase is over.
Learn More
At Contender Bicycles, we love helping riders conjure custom builds that are as unique as they are capable. From gravel grinders to race-day rockets, our Pro Build team knows how to turn any frameset into a, well, killer.
Call, email, or stop by the shop to start your own build.
And if you happen to ride off under cover of darkness, howling at the moon, all the better.
The Build
| Category | Component |
|---|---|
| Frame | OPEN Wide Carbon Frameset (Black & Orange Custom Paint) |
| Drivetrain | Shimano XT Di2 12-Speed |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore XT CS-M8200 9–45T |
| Chainring | e*thirteen Helix R 40T |
| Power Meter | SRAM Quarq D1 Spider |
| Chain | Shimano XT CN-M8100 12-Speed |
| Bottom Bracket | Wheels Manufacturing 386EVO Thread-Together (DUB, ABEC-3) |
| Cockpit | ENVE SES AR Integrated Compact Road Bar; ENVE Carbon Road Stem (110mm, Black Decal) |
| Shifters / Brakes | Shimano GRX ST-RX825 Di2 / BR-RX820 Hydraulic Disc |
| Wheels & Tires | Reserve 40|44 CL GR Wheelset; Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H |
| Seatpost | Easton EC70 Carbon, 27.2mm x 350mm |
| Saddle | Specialized Romin EVO Comp w/ Mimic |
