U.P.PER. CONCE.PT
This is the new direction for OPEN
The first bike to launch out of our new model range is a very special one. The U.P.PER. CONCE.PT will be made in only 2 sizes (Medium and Large) in very limited quantities (125 per size in a nod to our OPEN 12.5 celebration). The U.P.PER. CONCE.PT molds will then be retired, so no more of these concept frames will ever be produced again. No worries if Medium or Large is not your size. The new U.P. in five sizes will launch in the Spring.
Why this concept bike? As you know, we like simplicity and longevity. Innovation to us should not mean "different", it should mean "better". And so we tend to stick with the things that work, and only change what is necessary. The result is a very recognizable model line, the MIN.D., U.P.PER., U.P. and WI.DE. are clearly one family.
Our new model line sees significant changes in shaping (while still clearly keeping the OPEN DNA) and the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT highlights these, while everything else is paired down to a minimum.
So what do we have here?
As mentioned, the goal of the CONCE.PT is to highlight the new shaping, notably:
Aerodynamics vs. comfort
I have nothing against aerodynamics, as you may know from my other designs starting all the way back when we founded Cervélo. But comfort is more important than aero drag in gravel riding, saving a few seconds of drag and losing minutes because you can't hold your riding position for long stretches makes no sense. OPEN has always focused on compliance, because comfort=speed. Our goal on the new frames was to protect that comfort 100% yet still improve aerodynamics where possible.
The downtube
If you look at the new downtube, you will noticed that it is dimensioned pretty closely to the current frames, but with subtle changes to the front surface to create an efficient airfoil. The truncated rear has the trademark OPEN shaping, and together these new shapes offers the same compliance as our current downtube.
The headtube
This is the most important section for frame drag (front of the frame -> airflow is undisturbed -> aero shapes work best). You will notice the new headtube is narrow but deeper. What you don't see is that the carbon layup allows it to remain compliant.
The result
A more aero frame while preserving our trademark comfort. Everything else on the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT is paired down to showcase these shapes. The straight chainstays, no front derailleur mounts, no fender mounts, etc, etc. These are of course useful features for a lot of our customers, and the "regular" new U.P. will have those and much more. But for the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT it is "reduce to the max" (one of my favorite automotive slogans, when the Smart car first came out).
About CONCE.PT
There's a big reason it's a CONCE.PT and not a CONCEPT. The PT part stands for that fact that this will be the first of our frames made by CarbonTeam in Portugal. CarbonTeam is a collaboration between several experienced parties in the bike industry, including the carbon wizards at Bike Ahead (you may know their 6-spoke wheels which we have featured on several Bikes of the Month and the blue UP below).
At CarbonTeam we can achieve frame production at the highest level, close to some of our biggest markets and also close to some of our best custom painters (we love it when customers custom-paint their OPEN bikes and we hope to increase this by making this easier with the new frames).
Of course, it's a lot more expensive to produce in Europe than it is in Asia, roughly 2x the cost for the raw frame and for painting (the most laborious part of the frame) the difference is even bigger. However, when I suggested this to Andy two years ago, we quickly agreed we're willing to take the hit and try to keep our pricing as close as possible to our current pricing.
So to address that, the pricing of the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT is:
- U.P.PER. CONCE.PT frameset: USD/EUR/CHF 4,600
- one-piece carbon stem/bar & seatpost: USD/EUR/CHF 1,000
More about our most important reasons for the move to Portugal in one of the next blogs, but for now it is important to mention that a prototype of the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT will be shown at a couple of events this month, so feel free to come visit and take a look (and we'll take some nice photos and put them on the blog asap):
October 4, Le Domestique, Amsterdam, Netherlands
17:00 start, unveil at 17:30 at Le Domestique, Oude Schans 5b, Amsterdam. This is just around the corner from where I live, and they are building the prototype up as I write this
October 5-6, Gravel World Championships, Leuven, Belgium
The bike will be in the Expo at the Schwalbe stand. I'll be there myself on Saturday, the bike will be there on Sunday too.
October 11-12, Roc d'Azur festival, France
Note that the festival is from October 9-13, but the bike will only be there October 11-12. It will be in the Mohawks booth.
October 18-20, BESPOKED show Dresden, Germany
The bike will be at the LightWolf booth for this show, which is Europe's largest handmade bike show so definitely worth a visit regardless.
This just might be the bike for me in small. Excited you’re going to be in the free country of Portugal 🫡
I've just seen the finished build at le.domestique on Insta and I am completely surprised, unfortunately not in a positive way. The head tube looks completely oversized and disturbs the overall picture extremely. Delicate at the back, massive at the front. Well, taste is a matter of opinion. It definitely didn't suit mine. Too bad. Let's hope that the new UP doesn't look like this.
Hi guys, very excited about the news above. I’m a big fun of Wi.De. Can I summarize it to the Wi.De also? So: ICRouing, T47 BB, UDH, IF storage and available in spring 25? Thanks a lot;) Great job
Can i get a first impression on the Cycleworld 2025 and will the New Models be only Electronic Shifting, cause my love with Campy and Bikepacking?
H Gerard! What are the two threaded holes above the bottom bracket for? Best regards
For me the bike ain't none! It looks great, but cause of back issues that ain't Happening! I already got a Wide and love it! But dreaming of a second Wide in 2025 with a differnt setup! I like your conncept of the internal cables, the Seatpost, more Aero shapes and would be great with internal storrage where i don't need to ride with a Frame Bag! Hopefully signs of a New Wide in 2024 or 2025
Don't worry!
Can I already order the new concept frame ?
Will be on the site next week
It is not clear to me what will be available beside the limited edition of the UPPER... Are the UP and WIDE also getting a new version ? With UDH, internal cable routing, slightly more aero frame ? The blog article really focuses on the UPPER and we only get some hints in the comments, are you planning to clarify your future offer soon ? I am considering a new build for next year, and my idea was to go for the WIDE frame, but now I find everything very unclear 🤔
Hi Julien, more info coming soon, but first the UPPER CONCE.PT, then the new UP, then more.
Will you be selling complete bikes with the new frames? Same specs? Why no mullet option for the Up?
Hi Robert, at the start, we will be selling the framesets and our OPEN retailers can of course turn that into any complete bike spec you'd like. Starting Spring 2025, we will offer a complete build kit as well, with all of our favorite parts (or if Andy can't agree, we'll have 2 favorite parts kits :-)
Very happy to see mention of a T47 BB and the aero profiling. A few (related) questions about the new UP: - Will there be ports/MultiStops for external headset routing? - Will it be compatible with mechanical shifting, e.g. 12-speed 1x GRX? - Can we bring our own two-piece stem/bar combinations?
Hi Joe, there are no extra ports in the frame, it always goes internally. It's compatible with all current electronic drivetrains, not mechanical. 2-piece options will follow a bit later.
Cool, really cool... If only I didn't already own a pair of 3Ts...
Nothing wrong with those :-)
Hi Gerard and Andy, the new frame looks awesome. Will either all the new frames (UP, regular UP.PER etc) made in PT? Best Regards M
Yes, all those new frames wil be made in Portugal.
I assume the intention is for future serial production frames made in Portugal to be cheaper than these protos, or do you only intend to do small runs of special editions there that will keep this near €6k price?
Hi Oliver, if you compare apples to apples (framesets), the first generation UPPER was 4400, the new one is 4600 for the frameset. With the UP, it's 3200 vs 3500. So the price increase don't even cover inflation. The "almost 6k" is with the bar/stem/seatpost, and in comparison to the carbon parts most of our customers tend to spec there, that's also in line. And we are working on a less expensive cockpit as well.
Der Rahmen sieht toll aus. Schöne Weiterentwicklung des UPPER. Ich warte aber auf das UP da es für mich perfekt werden könnte. Ich hoffe auf ein integriertes Staufach. Reifenfreiheit fürs neue UP schreibt ihr etwas mehr als die 44 mm des UPPER, könnt ihr hier schon sagen was etwas mehr bedeutet. Und für die Produktion in Portugal grosses LOB. Wann ist mit einer Vorstellung des UP zu rechnen ?
UP so rund die 46mm. Und dann der WIDE mehr. Vorstellung kommt schon schnell, Lieferung dann im Vorjahr und in gute Mengen.
I own now a beautiful 3T-Exploro, but I plan to change - and the new UPPER is since yesterday on the short list. Some question's: 1. What colors are available? Yes, I know is trivial but is important - posh bikes are more fun to ride ;) . When are the 125 frames (L) ready to order? Estimated (realistic) delivery time? Is the UPPER compatible with the Classified Hub /Shifting Sis? May I test ride the bike in Dresden?
Standard is black carbon clear, but also available at RTP and we will make the custom painting a bit easier going forward. We ship the UPPER CONCEPT framesets in Dec-Mar, they are made in small batches so it depends on the order date and size a bit. Yes it's compatible with Classified. There is no test riding in Dresden, the demo bike we built up is a pretty old version, from long before it passed all testing.
Nice! If I get this correctly, when compared to my U.P.P.E.R., you get (1) internal cable routing, (2) moderate aero tube profiles, (3) some further weight loss (850 vs. 870g), 10% more tire clearance (44 vs. 40mm), and UDH. You lose the 2x option that is available on the U.P.P.E.R. Any details on the handlebar, particularly as regards stem length and reach? I ride an XL frame but could ride an L frame, too.
The new frame looks really stylish and fast. I do love the way we can now choose whether or not we want a one piece cockpit or build our own. 44 mil tire clearance is pretty good for pretty much anything. I love my U.P. And this looks like a brilliant evolution for gravel racing… looking forward to seeing more photos. When you say internal rounding “with a twist“ does that mean it’ll be easy to put in a bike bag for travel?
Hey Gerard, my thoughts on the handlebars came from either buying the one piece on offer or buying aftermarket (3T ;-0) 2-piece and building my own... Thanks R
Hi Russell, Not sure where you got the choice of the one-piece or build your own. Right now, it is just the one-piece, but a one-piece with 50 options so that should suit people. There probably will be a 2-piece option too, but not at launch. More on the bars soon.
I like what Open does. The Wi.De is my favorite bike. I could not replace my Wi.De or U.P. with an internally routed situation that severely limits adjustability and travel-packing. Maybe I'm in the minority that does not swoon over fully internal aero frames. Also, fenders are great. De.Fenders work well enough. I would jump at an future Open with real fender mounts.
Hi Steve, we don't swoon over it either, and the drawbacks of internal cable routing is why we didn't jump on the bandwagon. But I think that with our new design, it works really well. More on that a bit later. and you're right on the De-fender, they work fine, but the new OF-fender works even better.
Super! This has to be my bike reveal of the year, maybe even the decade. I'm feeling that those 125 frames will be snapped up pretty quickly - glad you're not going with dynamic pricing ;-)
There's an idea!
Wicked! Gerard/Andy, I always enjoy watching and reading what changes are happening for the 'better' at OPEN. Cheers. JP.
Cheers Jay, thanks for the support.
Cool! Will there be an event in Basel too?:) or can we preview it there or the new U.P. :)?
First trying to get through the next few weeks but for sure the bike will end up in Basel eventually. Stay tuned!
In-frame storage?
No storage for the UPPER, but options for the UP.
When can the frame be ordered?
We'll have it on the site and publish a list of stores probably next week.
Awesome idea! Will the top tube still have the bolts for a top tube bag? I love that feature on my UPPER.
Absolutely, it will have the toptube bag bolts.
Is it possible to install aero extensions on the handlebar?
Hi Timo, no aero extensions on the one-piece bars.
Beautiful frame. Love the move to Portugal for the carbon layup. Question though - currently are the frames for OPEN manufactured in Asia. I guess my understanding was they were hand made.
Hi Nick, we never use the term handmade, as it is a bit vague anyway. What is handmade? In most carbon frame production processes, there is a hand layup of the prepreg fibers. That's not so different between Asia and Europe. Even the automated processes (like a factory I was involved with in Italy) still use a fair amount of hand work.
looks nice! where can the bike be bought? and when?
Hi Rinus, it can be purchased from select OPEN retailers and in our online store. All info by next week.
Very handsome bike! I'm curious why the new bike has a traditional seatpost - I recall reading that while developing the MIND, Open determined that the seatpost/frame interface was a source of lots of redundant material and that an integrated seat mast & adjustable cap was preferable. Why not keep that design here?
Hi Richard, good question. A gravel bike is used differently, and for example there are a fair number of people who want to install a dropper or suspension post. Not possible with an integrated mast. Furthermore, with the bigger tires, there is already a lot of compliance coming from the tires, so the frame is relatively less important. We have however shortened the seat tubes a bit, leading to longer, more compliant seat posts.
How about UDH? Already part of the update?
Yes, UDH is part of all new frames. and T47
Bummer for us XL UPPER customers. Love my UPPER and I was hoping for a refresh like this. I hope you'll re-think and do a run of XL's.
There will be plenty of XL (and S and XS) models coming very soon. After this limited run there will be the UP, and a "regular UPPER" if one could call it like that. And more.
Bummer for the "small" female riders too 😔
Big shout out to you guys for creating this slick looking new frame! Looks again a real bike-lover frameset.
Hi Joris, your new ride is here! As soon as somebody is able to upload it to our online store, I'm sure you're first in line.
A few days ago I read a blog post about the UPPER ZEN, which, judging by the description, sounds like the UPPER CONCE.PT (e. g. that they came only in two sizes). The link to the site about the UPPER ZEN no longer resolves and gives me a 404 error. Are those two bikes/projects the same or different?
Same thing, was just a placeholder.
Volgt er later ook een nieuwe MIN.D met gelijkaardige aanpassingen?
Bij het huidige concept van de MIN.D vind ik het minimaal design net zijn sterkste punt. De aero toevoeging zou bij de MIN.D afbreuk kunnen doen aan dit concept. Vanuit praktisch standpunt begrijp ik de aero aanpassingen wel. Als ik zou mogen kiezen: het huidige frame met toevoeging van geïntegreerde kabels, minimal design uitwendig, niet inwendig ;-)
Inderdaad. Niet 1:1 natuurlijk maar wel dezelfde richting. Bevalt dat?
Would have loved to see an aero version of the WI.DE. That with some internal routing and UDH would be a wallet opener for me, even in this economy.
The medium WI.DE I tried handled great, the tire clearance stood out in more chunky gravel and (yes maybe contradicting myself as its not an aero feature) the head tube height allowing for a slammed stem even with my tired old back made it visually pleasing.
Which features of the WI.DE. do you like? The new UP(PER) are aero where they should be with very similar tire clearance as the WIDE.
internal cable routing?
absolutely. And with a twist.
Looks great. A few questions: 1. Max tire clearance? 2. UDH compatible? 3. Weight? 4. Internal cable routing? 5. Is the geometry more or less the same as the current UPPER? All the best. Thoroughly enjoying the Extrema Italia you designed as well.
Hi Armi, The U.P.PER. falls in our GravelFast category, with 44mm tire clearance. The U.P. will be a bit more. As with all of our new frames, they are UDH compatible and some other future proof compatibility as well. Weight is around 850g, cables are internal, BB is T47, geometry has some tweaks but similar in feel to the current UPPER.
Will the frame be silver or will a raw frame be available?
Available in black carbon clear finish or in Raw ready-to-paint.
Not producing the frame in the standard size for women is not a good idea… I think it’s for financial reasons; molds are expensive, but excluding this demographic is not smart. I’m sorry to say that. Het frame niet in de gangbare maat voor dames produceren is geen goed idee… Ik denk dat het om financiële redenen is; mallen zijn duur, maar het uitsluiten van deze doelgroep vind ik niet verstandig. Het spijt me dat te moeten zeggen.
What is the standard size for women? I get your point, but we don't want to make an XS size so limited that it would be 10k to buy. The M and L will fit riders who normally ride an M or L, and unfortunately won't fit men or women who normally ride an XS, S or XL. But the new U.P. will more than make up for it, I promise.
looks beautiful! Can you tell anything about the weight of the frame (both sizes), the one-piece carbon stem/bar and the seatpost?
Hi Thorsten, the weight is around 850g, more on those parts coming soon, we need to make some photos to show it all easily.