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.



Comments
David Best
31 Oct 2024

While we wait for more official information, here’s some more reading (in French) from people who have seen the bike and talked to Gerard: https://www.vojomag.com/news/nouveaute-open-u-p-per-conce-pt-tourne-vers-lavenir/ Interesting details about the one-piece cockpit with its adjustable stem length. What I miss a this point is an electronic version of Campagnolo’s Ekar 13-speed gravel group set. I think though we can expect that the recent launch of Ekar GT will be followed by a replacement of the original Ekar by a higher tier electronic Ekar WRL. 🤞🏻

Lilian
26 Oct 2024

Will it be possible to install an another cockpit?

David Best
25 Oct 2024

Here’s a nice article from someone who has seen the prototype at the Roc Azur festival, complete with some nice pictures and some additional information garnered there: https://bike-cafe.fr/2024/10/open-u-p-per-conce-pt-les-preliminaires-de-2025/

Jon
25 Oct 2024

Intriguing… the phat front end looks more like a 3T Exploro (love my Ultra!). …looking forward to seeing the new U.P. I hope it comes in some new colours that aren’t so sickly sweet.

Chris
21 Oct 2024

Wo finde ich den neuen Rahmen im shop? Der sollte doch letzte Woche online gehen..

Brian Fessenden
18 Oct 2024

Thanks for building great bikes! I have an UPPER and love it! Quick question; will the new UPPER be EKAR compatible?

Isak
17 Oct 2024

Sorry but, if you tried to keep the same price but ended up doubling it? I’m looking at this and seeing a deeper head tube, integrated bar and stem and, guessing, maybe a threaded bb. How is that worth 2100 euros..

Wolf
14 Oct 2024

Cool concept bike Gerald & Andy! I see myself waiting for the new UP frame. I hope it comes with: up to 45mm tires and more, glovebox, UDH compatible and a higher front end. I don't want to run a spacer tower again - like most of the UPs and UPPERs I see around have to sport. Keep up the great work - love the stay small and act responsible ethos - a rare thing in the bike industry.

Martin
19 Oct 2024

Please do not come up with a higher front end; the opposite: a more racy geometry with a short head tube and a longer top tube. If you need an anti-aero position 😎, use spacers or a + angled stem. Please don't make OPEN a brand for the coffee bar racers.

Frederick
13 Oct 2024

This just might be the bike for me in small. Excited you’re going to be in the free country of Portugal 🫡

Mark
11 Oct 2024

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.

Rain
14 Oct 2024

I couldn't agree with you more

Jiri Vavra
11 Oct 2024

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

Rainer
11 Oct 2024

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?

Maik
10 Oct 2024

H Gerard! What are the two threaded holes above the bottom bracket for? Best regards

Rainer
10 Oct 2024

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

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
10 Oct 2024

Don't worry!

Erin
9 Oct 2024

Can I already order the new concept frame ?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
10 Oct 2024

Will be on the site next week

Julien
8 Oct 2024

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 🤔

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
10 Oct 2024

Hi Julien, more info coming soon, but first the UPPER CONCE.PT, then the new UP, then more.

Robert
8 Oct 2024

Will you be selling complete bikes with the new frames? Same specs? Why no mullet option for the Up?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
10 Oct 2024

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 :-)

Joe
7 Oct 2024

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?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

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.

JOn
7 Oct 2024

Cool, really cool... If only I didn't already own a pair of 3Ts...

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

Nothing wrong with those :-)

Mauro
7 Oct 2024

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

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

Yes, all those new frames wil be made in Portugal.

Oliver
6 Oct 2024

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?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

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.

Josch
5 Oct 2024

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 ?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

UP so rund die 46mm. Und dann der WIDE mehr. Vorstellung kommt schon schnell, Lieferung dann im Vorjahr und in gute Mengen.

Stefan S
5 Oct 2024

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?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

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.

David Best
5 Oct 2024

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.

Russell Mason
5 Oct 2024

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?

Russell Mason
7 Oct 2024

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

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

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.

SteveP
4 Oct 2024

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.

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

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.

Andy Hunt
4 Oct 2024

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 ;-)

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

There's an idea!

Jay Park
4 Oct 2024

Wicked! Gerard/Andy, I always enjoy watching and reading what changes are happening for the 'better' at OPEN. Cheers. JP.

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

Cheers Jay, thanks for the support.

Glinder
4 Oct 2024

Cool! Will there be an event in Basel too?:) or can we preview it there or the new U.P. :)?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

First trying to get through the next few weeks but for sure the bike will end up in Basel eventually. Stay tuned!

Sanjay
4 Oct 2024

In-frame storage?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

No storage for the UPPER, but options for the UP.

Jan
4 Oct 2024

When can the frame be ordered?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

We'll have it on the site and publish a list of stores probably next week.

Brian
4 Oct 2024

Awesome idea! Will the top tube still have the bolts for a top tube bag? I love that feature on my UPPER.

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

Absolutely, it will have the toptube bag bolts.

Timo
4 Oct 2024

Is it possible to install aero extensions on the handlebar?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

Hi Timo, no aero extensions on the one-piece bars.

Nick Barnthouse
4 Oct 2024

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.

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

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.

rinus lamers
4 Oct 2024

looks nice! where can the bike be bought? and when?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

Hi Rinus, it can be purchased from select OPEN retailers and in our online store. All info by next week.

Richard
4 Oct 2024

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?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

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.

Peter
4 Oct 2024

How about UDH? Already part of the update?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

Yes, UDH is part of all new frames. and T47

Justin Liborio
4 Oct 2024

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.

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

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.

Brigitte
5 Oct 2024

Bummer for the "small" female riders too 😔

Joris
4 Oct 2024

Big shout out to you guys for creating this slick looking new frame! Looks again a real bike-lover frameset.

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

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.

Max Lein
4 Oct 2024

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?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

Same thing, was just a placeholder.

Jeroen
4 Oct 2024

Volgt er later ook een nieuwe MIN.D met gelijkaardige aanpassingen?

Jeroen
7 Oct 2024

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 ;-)

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
7 Oct 2024

Inderdaad. Niet 1:1 natuurlijk maar wel dezelfde richting. Bevalt dat?

Fredrik
4 Oct 2024

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.

Fredrik
4 Oct 2024

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.

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
4 Oct 2024

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.

Carles
4 Oct 2024

internal cable routing?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
4 Oct 2024

absolutely. And with a twist.

Armi
4 Oct 2024

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.

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
4 Oct 2024

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.

Christiaan
4 Oct 2024

Will the frame be silver or will a raw frame be available?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
4 Oct 2024

Available in black carbon clear finish or in Raw ready-to-paint.

Lars
4 Oct 2024

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.

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
4 Oct 2024

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.

Thorsten
4 Oct 2024

looks beautiful! Can you tell anything about the weight of the frame (both sizes), the one-piece carbon stem/bar and the seatpost?

Gerard Vroomen (OPEN Cycle)
4 Oct 2024

Hi Thorsten, the weight is around 850g, more on those parts coming soon, we need to make some photos to show it all easily.

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