OPEN U.P. Unbeaten Path SRAM Force eTap AXS 2x Bike

Please note that the product photo does not exactly represent our Contender-exclusive OPEN U.P. SRAM Force eTap AXS 2x build.

Here’s the skinny on why the OPEN U.P. frameset is among the most sought-after gravel bikes on the market: its versatility. In a pinch, it can be ridden in a criterium with aero wheels one hour and on your favorite singletrack with MTB wheels the next. The bike features neutral handling that feels comfortable on long rides without being sluggish when you’re looking for speed. Perhaps more than most other gravel bikes on the market, it handles the most like a quality road bike, without giving up anything in day-to-day riding. It even comes in a Ready-to-Paint frameset to ensure you get the exact bike you want.

Like the original frameset, it shares the same geometry, and importantly tire clearance; it fits up to 27.5 x 2.1” mountain bike tires, 700 x 42c gravel tires, or anything in between. It achieves this while using stack and reach numbers that are closer to an endurance road bike than a plodding touring bike; a slacker than average headtube angle, stubby 420mm chainstays, and a just-right wheelbase length. Other features include three water bottle mounts, a top tube bento box mount, and pencil-thin seat stays for improved compliance over rough roads.

OPEN’s U.P. frame is a blank slate, ready just as much to be built as your next road bike as it is as your next gravel crusher. A SRAM Force eTap AXS 2x drivetrain offers a wide range of gears to provide optimal pedaling cadence. We also spec our two preferred wheelsets, the Stan’s Grail S1 wheelset for 700c or the Stan’s Arch S1 wheelset for 27.5”, to provide an excellent combination of reliability, stiffness, and low weight. 700c wheels save weight and roll better on smoother surfaces, while the 27.5” mountain bike wheelset offers additional durability for rougher trails, and their extra width gives knobbies better bite and a plusher ride.

Whether you’re heading to Salt Lake City, or prefer we ship your OPEN U.P.P.E.R. Force eTap AXS 2x bike to you, we’ll do a full, professional bike build, dialing in shifting and braking, truing wheels, etc. If you’re unsure about sizing, give us a call or email us at info@contenderbicycles.com to talk through geometry and fit. And although this is a “stock bike,” we are more than happy to discuss options of this build.