Open U.P. 2.0 Frameset

This new Open U.P. 2.0 is described as a light, nimble gravel speed machine – and it definitely doesn’t disappoint. Its low mass, stiffness and slippery aero characteristics make it a hugely responsive frameset that’s fun to ride and hugely rewarding for those who put performance above all else.

Open U.P. 2.0 – Technical details

Ten years after the original U.P. hit the market, the U.P. 2.0 brings the platform bang up to date with current trends and technical advances. The most notable change is probably being the dropped drive side chainstay being, er… dropped. In its place are chunky-looking straight stays on both sides.

Open has also upped the tyre clearance, from 40mm to 46mm. Still not massive by today’s standards, but more than enough to compliment the U.P. 2.0’s lightweight, racy nature. Other key updates are the adoption of the T47 bottom bracket standard, the inclusion of a universal derailleur hanger (UDH) and a switch of production to Portugal (actually the last few years of the first version’s run were built there too).

The new carbon composite frame weighs 995g including paint and the T47 threaded shell, while the U-Turn Aero fork weighs 390g (or 380g for the U-Turn Adventure, which has shallower legs and mounting points for cargo). Instead of the usual three bolts for mounting though, the Adventure version uses slots which allow bags to be fitted without cargo cages. You can still fit cages if you so wish.

Open has also launched an even lighter version of this bike, the U.P.PER 2.0, which has a frame weight of 800g. All weights are +/-3%.

The front end of the U.P. 2.0 now focuses heavily on aerodynamics, with a sculpted head tube that blends seamlessly into the down and top tubes. It certainly makes the frame look very purposeful. As you’d expect with an aero-orientated frame, the brake hoses run entirely internally for a very clean look.

Towards the rear the top tube becomes more svelte before flowing into the seatstays for increased comfort, while the down tube maintains its D-shaped profile to maximise stiffness into the huge bottom bracket section. Likewise, the seat tube is all about stiffness at the BB end, with the profile morphing from square to round as it rises to the top tube junction.

The U.P. 2.0 uses a standard 27.2mm diameter seat post. You get a carbon one as stock, but should you want to upgrade then replacements will be easy to find. The frames are compatible with dropper posts too, and there’s a small hole on the seat tube to help you make sure you have enough post inserted.

Other neat details include hidden mudguard mounts and the Smartmount system, which removes the need for an adaptor when using a 160mm rotor on either the frame or fork.

Open U.P. 2.0 – Geometry

The frame is available in five sizes, as are the two fork designs – they can be tailored to the frame size. Crown shape and height varies from size to size, which Open says is to create the best stiffness and compliance balance each time. Sizes XS to XL cover approximate rider heights of <1.65m to >1.88m.

Geometry-wise the U.P. 2.0 has an effective reach that’s roughly 10mm longer the previous iteration, and when taking all measurements into account you can see that this is a bike designed for speed.

The medium frame has a top tube of 545mm, with stack and reach of 570mm and 380mm respectively. The seat angle is 73.5 degrees – well suited for getting the power out through the pedals – while the 71.5 degree head tube angle is steeper than adventure bikes would run. The wheelbase is 1,024mm with a 425mm rear centre, and the bottom bracket has a drop of 75mm.

Open U.P. 2.0 – Finishing kit & pricing

The U.P. 2.0 is sold as a frameset for £3,999 in a raw carbon, ready-to-paint finish, or £4,199 painted in either this Farn colour option or Sand. The Adventure model with that cargo fork comes in Orange Pearl.

As a frameset it’s supplied with a lot more finishing kit and accessories than some. Beyond the frame and the U-TURN Aero fork you get a seatpost, UDH hanger, headset, an Open x Wolftooth chain catcher and a computer/GoPro mount. You also get Open’s cool B.A.R. (Break All Rules) handlebar, which is a carbon fibre integrated design with built-in stem length adjustability.

There are ten size options: four 38cm widths, two 40cm ones and three in 42cm (which actually measure 42.5cm). Lastly there’s one 43cm bar.

Stem length choices run from 60mm to 130mm, but there’s 15mm of length adjustment on each bar thanks to an internal wedge-style clamp that can be tweaked in 5mm increments.

You can obviously build up your U.P. 2.0 however you desire, but Open UK distributor Silverfish specced ours with Easton’s EC90 ALX wheelset, Michelin’s Power Gravel tyres, SDG Overland saddle and an EC90 SL chainset (also from Easton). A very bling build, but one which highlights how capable the U.P. 2.0 is when decked out with high-end finishing kit.

The U.P. 2.0’s price puts it in line with some of the higher-priced brands on the market, such as 3T. Its aero-focused 3T Racemax 2 Italia – which I reviewed recently – is even more at £5,310 for the frameset.

Cervelo offers its new, aero Aspero-5 as a frameset only, and it comes with a seatpost and full carbon cockpit for £5,000.

OPEN U.P. 2.0 – Performance

The U.P. 2.0 is aimed at the performance end of the gravel bike spectrum, focusing on low weight, stiffness and aerodynamics, and as I’ve said it doesn’t disappoint! For a rider like me who comes from the road side of things, the U.P. 2.0 literally feels like a road race bike for off-road. Optimised as it is for 35mm to 46mm tyres, it can also serve as an incredibly capable all-road machine.

The lower half of the frame is as tight as drum, so hard efforts on the flat or when climbing feel rewarding, and the Open just generally feels very quick everywhere. How much of that is down to the aero tweaks is hard to quantify, but when it comes to efficiency, the U.P. 2.0 delivers. This might all sound a bit gushy, but I can’t really think how else to describe it. It’s just one of those bikes that feels brilliant to ride, and I don’t think I’d ever getting bored of its performance, or the way it rides.

The geometry works really well. The weather during the review period was mixed to say the least, so I got to test the Open on dry dusty trails and wet, muddy, slippery ones too. The handling was spot on whatever; quick enough that the steering is pretty much point-and-shoot on fast, dry ground, but not so quick that it’s a twitchy handful when things get technical or loose. The wheelbase is tuned to match the steering, in that it’s lengthy enough to promote stability, but still short enough to retain the nimbleness required for a fun ride.

My main gravel route uses a lot of wide-open hardpacked tracks, with odd sections of singletrack and technical descending chucked in. The U.P. 2.0 is one of those bikes that feels perfectly designed for both, with no compromises anywhere.

Comfort is great too. It would be easy to rely on large volume tyres to mask a stiff frame, but the seatstay design here creates a smooth rear end, and even the boxy sections of the main triangle don’t create any form of harshness. This Open might be designed for performance, but it isn’t going to shake your fillings out on those long jaunts through the countryside.

OPEN U.P. 2.0 – Verdict

From a ride point of view, the U.P. 2.0 really does get a glowing reference. I can’t actually fault it.

This is a bike that did everything I asked, and did it well, whether it was an hour’s blast around the local woodland or a big trek along less technical gravel trails. It’s certainly not cheap, but against some of its real competition it actually represents decent value for money – especially when you take its almost faultless performance into account.