Open has released a lighter and further refined version of its U.P. gravel bike. The U.P.P.E.R. sticks to the same proven design and geometry of the company’s U.P. frame but drops substantial weight through the use of new construction methods, a different thru-axle fork and flat mount brakes.
The U.P.P.E.R. frame comes in at a claimed 870g for a size medium, the same size U.P. would weigh a full 230g extra at 1,100g.
A new fork dubbed the U-Turn takes weight from the front end of the old bike and comes in at a claimed 375g. Rather than the 15mm axle used on the 3T Luteus fork, the U-Turn gets a 12mm titanium part from Carbon-Ti.
The U.P.P.E.R. also retains the ability to fit massive (up to 2.1in) tyres should you run it with 650b wheels, while 40mm 'cross tyres won’t be problematic on regular 700c/29in rims.
For the U.P.P.E.R., Open has switched to flat mount calipers, these make for a cleaner look as well as a reduction in weight. This reduction in weight comes from the flat-mount calipers themselves being lighter and the choice to optimise the frame’s rear triangle around a 140mm rotor. Those who want to run a 160mm rotor on the rear will have to use an adaptor, although that’s considered a bit of a swear word by the folk at Open.
You see, Open wasn’t particularly impressed with the fact a small adaptor is needed to run a flat mount caliper on a flat mount fork, and instead designed its U-turn fork to accept the caliper directly. It sure looks a whole lot cleaner and hints at the attention to detail that goes into these bikes.
If you love the look of the U.P.P.E.R. but want the colourful hues of Open’s U.P then tough. It’s only available in black.
The Open U.P.P.E.R frameset is €4,500, a fair premium over the €2,900 U.P.
