Une collaboration spéciale de Maxim Garant-Rousseau

Open U.P. As good on the road as it is on the gravel.

The Open UP is a top of the line bike that excels on all terrains, with true road bike geometry (and the fun that comes with it), room for huge tires (gravel!!) and with a host of features that will open the door to almost any type of ride.

On top of that, the frame stops the scale at 1050gr (the fork at 390gr) which puts the Open UP among the lightest carbon disc frames on the market.

(The UPPER version is even lighter, at 850gr)

The best of both worlds

When I'm asked the question: "Which bike do you recommend?"; I answer more often than not: A Gravel Bike (e.g. Opus Horizon, Devinci Hatchet, Specialized Diverge); bikes that are competent on gravel trails and "honest" on the road if you put slick tires on them.

Why?

Because they are versatile bikes, with disc brakes, safer. It's ideal to go on the road with a group of friends one day, to venture on small trails on the weekend and to go bike-packing to discover Quebec. However, when an experienced cyclist, the one who has already had several good bikes, asks me the question, I answer: "an Open UP, buy yourself an Open UP".

The Open U.P. (Unbeaten Path) changes all that by offering almost the opposite. A road geometry - endurance, able to accommodate huge tires.

I took advantage of this width and installed 700 x 43 Gravel-King tires on mine.

This characteristic appeals to those who fear that a gravel bike would be a little rough, not very nervous and not offering good sensations on the road.

The Open UP (UPPER) is a great gravel bike for those who spent years on their road bike and want to try gravel because it offers performance, stiffness and comfort.

How good is it as a road bike?

It is very good.

In a few moments, I change my gravel wheelset for a road one and the bike turns into a formidable road bike.

As I said earlier, the bike is extremely light and combined with my Easton EA90 SL wheels with Continental GP5000, it makes for a very dynamic road bike, fast on the climb and extremely solid on the descent

(I have several of my best PRs on the road, plus my best time at Camilien-Houde this summer with this bike!)

To be honest, I didn't miss my previous road bikes.

What I like:

The Swiss, almost maniacal, detail and precision of the bike's design:

•     the well thought geometry
•     the cable routing
•     the mounting of the disc brakes
•     the thru axle
•     the rolling capacity of the 650b and 700c wheels
•     the very very generous space for tires
•     the anchoring points for the bento box
•     space for a 3rd bottle
•     the ride comfort

What is even better:

Its capabilities on the road, as well as on the gravel: the Open is an excellent road bike, an exceptional gravel bike, agile, dynamic, comfortable (did I mention that?) 

Frame reliability: probably due to its design, the frame performs all the time the way I want it to, no matter the conditions.

Clean "Future Proof" design: Open Frames are designed by leaders, innovators.

If I decide to change groupsets, wheels, parts, I have the peace of mind that I can do so without compromising my frame or its performance and function.

Stand out with your Open

The RTP option - Ready to paint - allows the purchase of a bare frame, ready to paint to your liking.

What's missing

I'm still looking. Maybe a few aero touches?

Finally, who is an Open for?

If you're looking to own just one bike, one that can do it all; competent on the road, smooth on the dance floor, stable on the downhill, capable on the trail and with a predictable and comfortable ride at all times, look no further!

The Open UP is the bike for you.

You can drop by in store, at Pignon sur roues, to take a look at their demos and showroom bikes.

Where does it come from?

The Open brand was founded by two former Cervelo/3T and BMC employees

This bike has won numerous design awards since its release and the drop chain stay design has influenced a whole segment of bikes.

The company is based in Switzerland and the frames are made in a factory in Taiwan.