Keywords: bike of the month,campagnolo ekar,open,superlight bike

BOTM: The Simple MIND - part 3

Andy Kessler - 02-Jul-2021

Final one for" The Simple MIN.D."

I remember more than 5 years ago when we started thinking about 1x on the road, we went for a ride with Gerard on our steel prototype bike. A funky frame where you could adjust a lot of stuff like chain stay length, rake etc... Back then, Gerard was already convinced that 1x works great. He had a 44 front and a 10-36 in the back and yes 11- speed. Once we were riding up the local mountain here called the Gempen (by the way it was cold and we had ice on the road- a perfect day for testing!) I saw him suffering. I always said 1x on the road will come but 12 or 13 speed is a must and I need my 1:1 ratio.

Now 5 or even 6 years later we have those options available, and also 1x will not replace 2x I personally think it can get a 50% market share. I am a huge fan of simplicity and this front derailleur is just one hell of an ugly part and technically having a piece of metal shifting over another piece of metal somehow not really up to date...

Love it or hate it.... for sure it looks great as you can see in our last blog with the beauty shots... Live simply!

Here we go with the detail specifications.

model	MIND 1 x ONLY
size	M
frame	MIN.D.
headset	Cane Creek Custom
fork	OPEN R-Turn
stem	Beast Road Stem 100mm
handlebar	Beast Ultra Bar 44
handlebar grip	Fizik Microtex Bondcush
seatpost	Open integrated
saddle	Beast Comfort
brakes	Campagnolo Ekar, 160 f&r
shifters	Campagnolo Ekar
crank	Campagnolo Ekar
BB	Campagnolo Ekar
chainrings	Campagnolo Ekar 44
front and rear derailleur	None/Camagnolo Ekar
cassette	Campagnolo Ekar 10-44
chain	Campagnolo Ekar
wheel	DT Swiss PRC 1100 Mon Chasseral
tire	Schwalbe Pro One 32mm
weight	6.7kg

And just because it is so beautiful, here another side shot.

BOTM: The Simple MIND - Part 2

STOCK U.P. DATE FRAMES AND COMPLETE BIKES

SUMMER TIME WE GOT THE CLOTHING FOR IT

BOTM: The Simple MIND - Part 1

Is Ekar right for you?

Campagnolo EKAR 1x13 new drivetrain

Relentless Simplicity

Online store

Comments & Questions

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Good that 1x is coming more and more for Road Bikes. I really hate my Red FD and going even 1x11 is so functional on my Gravel bike

Post #1 of 13. Posted by Urs Mayer on 02-Jul-2021 09:53:03 GMT in reply to blog [0<--23215]

What do you think about the Classified hub? Have you had a chance to ride one? Seems like it could be a really nice solution.

Post #2 of 13. Posted by Stephen on 02-Jul-2021 11:12:49 GMT in reply to blog [0<--23218]

Hi Stephen, unfortunately not yet but its on the to do list

Post #3 of 13. Posted by Andy Kessler on 05-Jul-2021 10:14:09 GMT in reply to blog [0<--23229]

I am running a set of Rene Herse 650B X 42 knobby (tubeless) tires on my Open UP. Great setup in the dirt but not so much on the road. I'm thinking of having a set of 700C road wheels built which will work better on the roads but still give me enough traction for a little off road. First challenge is figuring out what size tires. I have talked to a lot of riders about this. Some say 32mm, some say 38mm. What would you recommend?

Post #4 of 13. Posted by Michael on 05-Jul-2021 13:52:58 GMT in reply to blog [0<--23230]

Hi Michael, lets say it this way. 5% of gravel 32mm should be fine. 10% of gravel 35mm should be fine and more than that I would go for 38mm. I personally was riding 35mm for a long time and found that the best of both worlds

Post #5 of 13. Posted by Andy Kessler on 06-Jul-2021 10:57:42 GMT in reply to blog [0<--23233]

Really enjoying the advancement of 1x - any plans to release a version of the UPPER frame without the front derailleur mounts? The same mounts on my 2016 UP are a bit like that nail you find in your front, recalling that you once used it for hanging Christmas decorations.

Post #6 of 13. Posted by Andy Hunt on 08-Jul-2021 15:26:47 GMT in reply to blog [0<--23234]

Really enjoying the advancement of 1x - any plans to release a version of the UPPER frame without the front derailleur mounts? The same mounts on my 2016 UP are a bit like that nail you find in your front door, recalling that you once used it for hanging Christmas decorations.

Post #7 of 13. Posted by Andy Hunt on 08-Jul-2021 15:29:01 GMT in reply to blog [0<--23235]

Hi Andy, also I like this idea a lot we have no plans yet. We need to keep our lineup simple also. The good thing is that on the U.P.P.E.R you can just take the two bolts and take off the "nail" which of course on the MIN.D. was not possible. take care Andy

Post #8 of 13. Posted by Andy Kessler on 09-Jul-2021 09:51:28 GMT in reply to post #7 [23235<--23236]

$$?

Post #9 of 13. Posted by Art Garcia on 11-Jul-2021 19:11:25 GMT in reply to blog [0<--23240]

Totally agree. I have Ekar 9-36 with 40 chainring. Rode the Struggle Moors earlier this month (180k, 3.8km climbing) no problem.

Post #10 of 13. Posted by Andy Green on 22-Jul-2021 05:54:18 GMT in reply to blog [0<--23252]

I'm really liking this 1x MIND and planning to build a very similar spec. What do you guys think about the new Campy Shamal wheelset to match the Ekar groupset?
I had a quick chat with our local OPEN dealer yesterday and am going back for a fit and to talk about a build spec next week. Getting excited now!

Post #11 of 13. Posted by Pete Harrison on 03-Sep-2021 16:43:33 GMT in reply to blog [0<--23294]

Hi Pete, thats a good choice. Perfect fit and looks good. Have fun with the build

Post #12 of 13. Posted by Andy Kessler on 04-Sep-2021 04:48:38 GMT in reply to blog [0<--23296]

Cheers Andy. Fit looks good for me on the Large frame, so all starting to come together now. Going with Ekar and the Shamal C21 wheels.

Post #13 of 13. Posted by Pete Harrison on 10-Sep-2021 20:28:13 GMT in reply to post #12 [23296<--23300]