OPEN UP
The OPEN UP is where it all began. When Gerard Vroomen and Andy Kessler set out to build the gravel bike they actually wanted to ride, the result was a genre-defining machine that rewrote the rulebook for what a drop-bar bike could do, and the cycling world hasn't been the same since.
The UP's genius lies in its radical versatility. Swap in a set of 700x28c road tires and it flies on tarmac. Mount up 32-40mm gravel tires and it eats mixed terrain for breakfast. Roll on 27.5x2.1" mountain bike rubber and it becomes a legitimate off-road weapon, all without changing a single thing about how the bike handles. The iconic dropped chainstay, one of the most copied features in modern bike design, makes it all possible, clearing massive tires while keeping road cranks and a narrow Q-factor for efficient pedaling.
The updated OPEN UP 2.0 builds on this proven formula with refined comfort and go-anywhere versatility optimized for long-haul adventures. With dual 700c and 650b wheel compatibility, clearance up to 2.1", and OPEN's signature lightweight carbon construction, the UP 2.0 is built for riders who want one bike that genuinely does it all, from forest service roads to multi-day bikepacking routes to fast weekend rides with friends.
The bike that started the gravel movement, now better than ever.
Looking for more tire clearance? Check out the OPEN WIDE.
Highlights and information
The Bike That Started It All. Now Perfected.
Ten years after the original OPEN UP defined the fast gravel category, the UP 2.0 represents the purest evolution of that idea. Combining road bike speed with go-anywhere geometry and tire clearance optimized for 35mm to 46mm tires, the UP and UP 2.0 remain the benchmark for performance gravel riding. The UP 2.0 adds aerodynamic efficiency at the front, legendary OPEN frame compliance at the rear, and the innovative OPEN B.A.R. one-piece carbon cockpit for a frameset equally capable of gravel racing, fast tarmac rides, and multi-day adventures.
WHY THE OPEN UP AND UP 2.0 STAND OUT
The UP and UP 2.0 were built on one defining question: why choose between speed and versatility? The UP 2.0 refines that answer with aerodynamic shaping at the headtube, fork, and downtube where drag reduction matters most, while ultra-thin bowed Wire-Stay seatstays and a 27.2mm round seatpost deliver the frame compliance OPEN has always been known for. Straight chainstays maximize power transfer without sacrificing tire clearance, and practical details like the T47 threaded bottom bracket, UDH derailleur compatibility, and Smartmount 160 brakes front and rear keep the ownership experience simple and low-maintenance.
WHO SHOULD RIDE THE UP AND UP 2.0?
The UP and UP 2.0 are built for riders who want one bike capable of doing everything well. Fitted with 700c road tires, it is a genuinely fast road bike. Swap to 32-40mm gravel tires and it becomes a go-anywhere machine for mixed surfaces and most gravel routes. Mount 650b mountain bike tires and it tackles very tough terrain while remaining far faster on pavement than any mountain bike. Riders searching for a high-performance gravel bike, a fast all-road frameset, or a lightweight carbon bike for gravel racing and endurance riding will find the UP 2.0 fits every brief. It also appeals strongly to bikepacking and adventure riders thanks to its cargo rivets, frame bag compatibility, and fork options.
WHAT CONTENDER BICYCLES LIKES ABOUT THE UP AND UP 2.0
- Three bikes in one: Whether you're running 700c road tires, 40mm gravel tires, or 27.5x2.1" mountain bike rubber, the UP and UP 2.0 handle all configurations with agile, responsive, and confident handling, no compromises regardless of which setup you choose.
- OPEN B.A.R. cockpit system: The one-piece closed-form carbon bar and stem features a patented internal clamp that provides 15mm of stem length adjustment in 5mm increments across 10 available sizes, delivering a level of fit precision that one-piece cockpits almost never offer.
- Aero and compliance in the same frame: The UP 2.0 uses aerodynamic shaping up front where airflow is smooth and gains are greatest, while Wire-Stay seatstays, a compliant 27.2mm seatpost interface, and a carefully tuned carbon layup ensure the rear of the bike absorbs the road rather than transmitting it.
FRAME MATERIAL
The UP and UP 2.0 are built from a strategically blended carbon layup that places the right modulus fiber in the right location throughout the frame. High-modulus and ultra-high-modulus carbon is concentrated in the main tubes, including the flat-sided downtube where strips of stiff fiber are placed far from the center plane to maximize stiffness at the critical connection between steering center and drivetrain. Tougher, more flexible carbon is used in areas like the headtube where impact resistance is essential. The UP 2.0 uses the same strength and stiffness standards as the UPPER 2.0 at a more accessible price point, making it an exceptional value for riders who want genuine performance carbon without the ultralight premium.
GEOMETRY AND FIT
The UP and UP 2.0 use size-specific geometry and carbon layup tailored to each frame size, ensuring consistent handling feel and compliance balance from the smallest to the largest size. The result is a gravel bike that rides predictably and confidently at every size across every terrain.
- Aerodynamic front end: The deep headtube is the first frame member to meet the airflow, shaped to minimize drag while the carbon layup maintains compliance for long-ride comfort on rough surfaces.
- Optimized tire clearance: The frameset is designed around 35mm to 46mm tires, with the dropped chainstay allowing big tire clearance while maintaining compatibility with narrow road cranks and a low Q-factor for efficient pedaling.
- 27.2mm round seatpost interface: Designed around a standard 27.2mm seatpost for excellent natural compliance and wide compatibility with dropper and suspension seatpost options, giving riders flexibility to customize their setup for any terrain or adventure length.
HIGHLIGHTED MODELS AND COMPONENTS
OPEN UP 2.0 Frameset
- Frame: Full carbon with aerodynamic front end and compliant rear; includes 3 extra rivets under the toptube for frame bag compatibility
- Fork: Choice of U-Turn Aero (aero-optimized blades, integrated brake caliper) or U-Turn Adventure (comfort-focused with direct-attach cargo slots), each in 5 sizes; U-Turn Adventure standard on the UP 2.0 Adventure build
OPEN UP Frameset
- Frame: High-performance carbon with dropped chainstay and dual 700c/650b wheel size compatibility
- Fork: U-Turn fork with Smartmount flatmount brake integration
NOT EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?
- OPEN UPPER: Riders who want the same platform with a weight savings of approximately 180g and an ultralight carbon layup should look at the UPPER 2.0. It shares all geometry, stiffness, and capability with the UP 2.0 and is the natural choice for riders where every gram counts on race day.
- OPEN MIND.: If pure road performance with a classic aesthetic is more your priority than gravel versatility, the MIND. delivers a lightweight carbon road frameset with genuine compliance and tire clearance up to 33mm, built around the same OPEN philosophy of minimal design and maximum enjoyment.
- Cervélo Áspero: For riders focused on competitive gravel racing who want a full production build with strong component specification, the Cervélo Aspero offers a comparable blend of aerodynamic efficiency and gravel capability from a well-established race-focused brand.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The OPEN UP and UP 2.0 are the original fast gravel bikes, and the UP 2.0 proves the concept has never been stronger. By combining aerodynamic efficiency at the front, genuine frame compliance at the rear, the innovative OPEN B.A.R. cockpit, and a thoughtful set of practical details, the UP 2.0 delivers a gravel frameset that is as fast on tarmac as it is capable on rough terrain. For riders searching for a high-performance gravel bike, a versatile all-road carbon frameset, or simply the most well-rounded version of the bike that invented the fast gravel category, the UP and UP 2.0 remain the definitive answer.
If the OPEN UP wrote the rulebook for modern gravel bikes, the UPPER tears a few pages out and goes faster. Sharing the same proven geometry, tire clearance, and dual wheel compatibility as the UP, the UPPER distinguishes itself where it counts most: weight. A more complex, high-modulus carbon layup shaves 180 grams from the frame, delivering a snappier, more responsive ride that gravel racers and performance-focused riders will immediately feel on every climb and sprint. Flat-mount brakes, OPEN's Smartmount direct caliper attachment, and the iconic dropped chainstay round out a package that's as capable as it is refined, equally at home on a race start line or a fast weekend adventure.
The new UPPER 2.0 takes a decade of refinement and pushes it even further. Built in Portugal by OPEN's manufacturing partner Carbonteam, the UPPER 2.0 pairs an ultralight carbon layup with purposeful aerodynamic shaping where it matters, up front at the headtube, fork, and downtube, while maintaining the legendary frame compliance OPEN is known for in the rear. The revolutionary OPEN B.A.R. one-piece carbon handlebar and stem adds adjustable reach in precise 5mm increments, and compatibility with T47 threaded bottom brackets and UDH derailleur standards keeps maintenance simple. Optimized for 35-46mm tires, the UPPER 2.0 is built to race, ride, and explore, fast, efficient, and relentlessly capable.
For the rider who wants every possible edge without giving up an inch of versatility, the OPEN UPPER delivers.
The OPEN MIND (MINimal Design) is what happens when one of cycling's most celebrated engineers builds the road bike he actually wants to ride. Designed by OPEN co-founder Gerard Vroomen, the MIND is a pure, purposeful carbon road bike that proves you don't need complexity to achieve something extraordinary, you just need to get every detail exactly right.
At the heart of the MIND is a philosophy of radical simplicity. Classic round-tube aesthetics hide genuinely sophisticated engineering: a 25mm continuous seat tube that eliminates the traditional seatpost junction entirely for remarkable all-day compliance, clearance for up to 33mm tires for confident grip on broken pavement, and OPEN's Smartmount direct brake attachment for a cleaner, lighter, stiffer setup throughout.
What makes the MIND special is how much ground it covers. Sharp enough to hunt KOMs and sprint out of corners, comfortable enough to tackle long mountain passes without punishment, and confident enough to handle the occasional gravel shortcut without missing a beat.
For riders who want a fast, beautiful, no-compromise road bike built to last a lifetime, the OPEN MIND is the one. If you're looking for something that can handle a little more off-road riding, check out the OPEN UP.
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