Launching the U.P. 2.0 Adventure
Finally a truly integrated cargo fork
For years people have asked us for a cargo fork. But while we always liked the concept, we never liked the idea of just sticking some rivnuts onto the fork legs. The cargo weight on the fork should be kept to a minimum on any bike to preserve the steering characteristics, so the idea to add rivnuts and cages just to add a few kgs of cargo seems very inefficient.
Enter the new U.P. 2.0 Adventure with U-Turn Adventure fork. It represents the essence of OPEN: Minimalist, sleek, simple and effective. It offers the ability to carry cargo securely with a ZERO gram weight penalty. That's right, the fork weighs exactly the same as it would without the cargo solution and there is no cage required!
As you can see above, the overall fork is sleeker than the U-Turn Aero to provide the best possible comfort. But the eye is immediately drawn to something else, two slots and a third center hole on each side. Here's what they do:
- Offer incredible versatility in carrying cargo, from minimal to traditional.
- Stabilize the side surfaces of the fork to avoid "breathing" (side walls move closer or further away from each other under load), making the structure more efficient for lateral stiffness and strength. Hence the net weight cost is zero.
How to carry cargo
As you can see above, you can attach some fork bags directly onto the fork without the use of a cargo cage. It's the fork structure itself that gives support to the bag and keeps it securely in place, no additional structure is needed.
The second option is similar. If you go bikepacking with for example a small tent or something else in a softbag, you can strap that bag directly onto the fork using a cargo strap (for example a Voile strap). Again you're minimizing weight and securing the bag very tightly onto the fork, a win-win.
In some situations, maybe you do prefer to use a cargo cage or a regular bottle cage on the fork. No problem, as the fork comes with cargo barrels that you can insert through the fork from the inside. That allows you to attach any 2 or 3-bolt pattern cage onto the fork, see below.
Note that we always recommend (with any bike, OPEN or otherwise) to put your lightest items on the fork and heavier items elsewhere. This will give you the best handling performance.
What else for the U.P. 2.0 Adventure?
For us it was very important that the cargo fork added something to the ride without taking anything away. So the rest of the bike stays true to our core principles. That means:
Aerodynamics meets comfort
We have always prioritized comfort — even though I spent my career designing aero bikes, since the days when we founded Cervélo.
But aero without comfort is useless, a harsh ride will compromise your position on long rides far more than aerodynamics can make up for. On the U.P. 2.0 frame we've added aero where it really works while relentlessly protecting frame comfort.
OPEN A.I.R. Geometry – Agile | Integrated | Refined
A.I.R. is OPEN's approach to making rider and bike work as one: agile steering that feels lively on any terrain, integrated components that work together with the frame geometry as a system, and superior adjustment options to refine your position for both comfort and aerodynamics.
As gravel riding evolves, so does OPEN's approach to fit. The new frames are slightly longer and taller than their predecessors, reflecting how riders are pushing harder and further.
The steering geometry follows a consistent OPEN principle: the bike should feel as agile and lively as a road bike, despite running much larger, profiled tires. It's an often-overlooked ingredient — but essential on mixed terrain. Every size U.P. 2.0 frame has its own geometry and tube shapes; every fork size is also individually tweaked to deliver that trademark OPEN handling at every size.
Perfect fit doesn't stop at the frame and fork — the cockpit matters just as much. The OPEN B.A.R. solves a problem most riders have quietly accepted: one-piece bars that don’t quite fit. Too few sizes, not enough adjustment, a position that's always a compromise. The U.P. 2.0 Adventure gets the same B.A.R. system as the other members of the family.
Tire clearance
Since the original U.P., extensive tire testing for both rolling resistance and aerodynamics has pointed consistently to the same conclusion: 50mm is the valley of death — the worst of both worlds.
Go to 45mm or smaller and aerodynamics work in your favor (especially with wide aero gravel rims). Go to 55mm or beyond and lower rolling resistance keeps your speed.
The gravel market has since developed an inexplicable obsession with 50mm tires. We hope it passes. Physics hasn't changed.
The U.P. 2.0 Adventure with 46mm maximum clearance stays true to that philosophy. It's built for fast riding and agile handling, with or without cargo. For 55mm and beyond, the WI.DE. 2.0 is coming soon.
Available to order now
The U-Turn Adventure is now available on the U.P. 2.0 and launches in an exciting new color. Actually, to me the color is exciting exactly because it isn't really new. Just like our very, very first U.P., we're launching this one in orange. Not the same orange (this one is much deeper and richer, it really looks amazing when the sunlight hits it), but still, I have fond memories of orange OPEN bikes (I also have the WIDE in orange and no, this is not because I'm Dutch).
U.P. 2.0 Adventure in action
This is really cool but for me the "adventure" part could involve putting my bike on a plane to go somewhere, and my very compact travel case requires taking the fork out of the frame. That seems impossible now, without disconnecting brake lines? I know this trend toward internal-everything is an industry-wide decision, but it's still a drag!
Hi Gerard, are you cranking out a U-turn Adventure for our Open WI.DE bikes soon?
For the previous generation bikes, so to replace the original U-turn? That's not in the planning right now, but it's not a bad idea. I just don't know if we can really fit that in in a reasonable time frame.
That colour is amazing, re. the U-Turn fork, is it compatible with dynamo wiring passing through the fork as other adventure/gravel bikes have?
Hi Mike, it's quite easy to run the electric cable through. there are vent holes, which can be used when slightly enlarged. We decided against making it a dedicated fork for say a SON as in the end (of that's what you mean), it just adds complexity to the dropout.
Slotting the fork for straps is a clever design. I am curious how the bolt-on hardware works without scuffing or marking the fork, since a secure fit seems to rely on compression. Will we hear about the next version of the Wi.De soon?
The cargo barrels also come with nylon washers. A custom ride wrap for the fork and frame are also in the works. So that together should protect the fork quite well but of course, in the end the bike is there to be used. You may hear about a new WI.DE. soon but we never know until the last moment if we agree to launch a new model or not.
Love the Color! Will you make it available for the regular U.P. 2.0 as well?
No plans for that as a regular, stocked product. But with the custom paint program, anything is possible.
This color is so stunning and love your attention for details & new ways.
Yep I love it too, this is really a great color.
Brilliant ! Compatible with the future WIDE 2.0?
Thanks! Our forks are rarely cross-compatible with other models because we have very specific geometry per model and per size to dial in the handling.
Nice solution, nice color. Wit Slingers frame bag? Is that the official Open frame bag?
Thanks! Not sure what is "official" but Wit Slingers makes nice custom bags. We're also working with Apidura on an aero frame bag.