U.P.PER. CONCE.PT UP.DATE
The battle between shipping and upgrading
If you follow OPEN, you know that we are a small company that has no pressures to achieve targets, satisfy shareholders or anything like that.
On the positive side, that means we can tinker until we're completely happy with a project, or even scrap projects if we don't feel they live up to what we envisioned.
On the negative side, this can lead to delays, when we realize some upgrades are possible after we've announced the launch of a new model (and even started partial production already).
Towards the end of 2024, I fell into this trap, making improvements to the U.P.PER. frameset after we announced it and promised specific ship dates. The changes started out small, but one thing led to another and here we are today, with a 6 month delay.
This is bad, there is no way around it. People counted on those ship dates, both our OPEN retailers or our end-customers, and we didn't deliver. And even inside OPEN, Andy counted on those dates (and he is the one dealing most with the people who are disappointed when we don't deliver on time).
I know some people planned to use their new U.P.PER. for specific events this Spring, be it a race or as a present for a special occasion. For them, the knowledge that the frame that will ultimately ship is better than it was won't be much solace. I feel bad that these delays have upset some of you, because the whole point of OPEN is to make people happy (and let them ride!) We may not have to satisfy shareholders, but we do have to satisfy our customers!
It's been tough at times to push this project through, when these changes let to further complications, delays and more problems. But there is a ray of light, we have worked through everything now. So this is where we stand:
- All U.P.PER. CONCE.PT frames are produced and painted
- Forks have been produced and are in painting right now (or in transit)
- Handlebars are in production and shipping, joining the frames and forks
- The headset is the part where the changes have caused the biggest issue, they are now also in full production and we have received the first batch.
Fully understand that you hesitate to give a exact date for the "normal" new UP given the delays. In the Escape Collective podcast last fall you talked about it in terms of "people can enjoy the whole season on it next year". Of course things have changed and we are looking forward to an improved product, but do you think that we in the northern hemisphere will be able to ride on it at least some part of the season this year? If you are comfortable to give any sort of ballpark indication it would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Tobias, given that gravel bikes have a full year season, absolutely! I'm pretty positive we're close, but again ....
Looks amazing. Now I know what my next bike will be after my current U.P. Any indications on frameset price for the new version?
Great. And the new U.P, will it be priced similar to the current model?
Hi Kristoffer, the UPPER is 4,300/4,600 depending on RTP or painted, and the OPEN Break All Rules integrated bar is 1,000. As a comparison, the regular price for the original UPPER was 4,400 (currently it's a little bit less for the few remaining ones).
Would love to know a bit more about what the upgrades and changes were. I'm a +1 on wanting to know when the non-concept U.P.(P.E.R)s will launch, since I'm after a small.
It started with making the length adjustment on the stem easier, that led to a stiffer steerer, that led to some tweaks to the cable routing into the frame, that led to .....
whats the tyre clearance on the new model?
The UPPER CONCEPT is 44mm.
+1 eager to have more information about planned release dates for the "standard" models, especially the new WIDE. Or at least dates when you will give us more information about what to expect with those new models.
Same here. I would love to know the specifications on the new Wi.De. I'm happy to wait, but it would be great to know what it is I'm waiting for.
As soon as we're sure, we'll communicate. I don't intend to write another apology!
+1 super keen to know about when the new WI:DE is coming out
Thanks for the update, Gerard. Excited to see the finished product. Getting it right > getting it done fast.
That's even better! :D
Aiming for getting it right fast!
Transparency is always appreciated, thank you for update! Could you tell when we can then expect the standard model to go live? I’m waiting for that to become available (with adventure fork), would love to be able to ride it still this year….one more: could you anticipate whether standard model will have same tire clearance of Concept or maybe (hopefully) more? Thank you again!
I am a bit bummed the Logo on the downtube changed to a simpler design, the Logo on the Proto that was shown(seen in Amsterdam irl) was alot nicer, and was a nice touch on the change line of the downtube with the logo flipping from solid to outline
Hi Christiaan, actually we will still offer the solid/outline logo on some frames. But the UPPER CONCEPT has a 2-tone light blue/white logo, also very nice. It's not so obvious on the photos shown here, but it really is nice.
Seems like it's still tow colours (sky blue and white) to accentuate that line. It's too complicate; costly to do the outline. But yes, it was a nice touch.
Any news please on when (which month?) the regular (non-CONCE.PT) framesets in all five sizes are planned to launch? I've been personally waiting for being able to order an XL.
Yes. It would be great to know more about what's coming next.