Open U.P. in 2020?

[drewdrewschuster]

I'm sorry if this has been covered 1000x times already, but I'm looking into a couple options, but leaning heavily towards an Open U.P. Build.

Ive noticed a few threads where a big concern is the price of the frameset.

Is there any reason, aside from price, that an Open UP wouldn't be the right choice in 2020? Is there something loads better than the Open?

Thanks!

[CustomMetal]

I seriously considered an UPPER And an Exploro.. 3T was our after loads of threads on seatpost. I also liked the look of a Moots Rout RSL.. in the end as I couldn't decide between moots and open and as I already have a Ti and a plastic bike I decided to get a customs stainless steel which costs about the same as a Upper (without paint) and should be as good if not better than an RSL.. customs is king

[petert123]

I still think it's a good choice, I was 50/50 on an Open UP build - it's not the fault of the U.P. but in the end I chose a titanium frame, need it for year-round riding, so mudguards, threaded bb etc. In an ideal world I'd also have an UP/PER for spring-to-autumn riding and nearly reach that ideal I have to only maintain one bike.

[Js2]

Op, I was fully in the Exploro camp (LTD model)... Until

- seatpost crapped out on the elastomer and insert causing creaks and rattles (probably slowly coming apart)
- bottle cage bosses misaligned
- clear coat flaking off on the seat tube
- main triangle is so small you can barely fit framebags without interfering with your bottle
- hate the hang loose derailleur, gotta be careful not to accidentally yank your di2 cable / drop your rear derailleur to the ground when taking out your wheel

Mind you these things all happen in 3 rides...
For the money, I am really dissapointed. I'm not sure if the Open is made is the same factory? But my guess is yes. I ended up getting rid of it and ordered a moots routt rsl instead.

[toronto-rider]

The 3T and Open are 2 totally different bikes. I ride with some people with 3 T and most of the early ones have had seatoost issues.

In terms of the Open, I was on the hunt for a used Open Up (the newer model with the better fork) for almost a year. You know a bike is good when there are so few used ones on the market. Also it has one of the best resale compared to most other carbon frames.Finally found one last year April and just love my Open. I ride mainly gravel but still have my Sworks road bike. Also have a Focus CX bike that is used for early season and Winter gravel rides/ races.
I have 2 Wheel sets for the Open. A 650 and 700 wheels. I do very technical gravel/ mtb rides on the open and it is amazing in the technical sections. Also 200 km Gravel fondos and races. I think it is my favourite bike I have ever owned.
Negatives. The paint. Apparently not the best paint and scratches or comes off when scraped compared to some others. I contacted Velocolor who do the custom paints for Above Catagory and they said the paint Open uses is thicker than others.
One you have a small nick, you get past it. Once I have had it for another year might consider a 1k repaint.

Also very limited in power meters on the crank side unless in the spyder or BB. Even my Garmin Cadence wasn't fit. Have to put it on the outside of the crank.

I think the next best would be a Cervelo, however don't think as comfortable as the Open.
You won't be disappointed.

What I can say that tire pressure, tires and wheels will make a far bigger difference to a gravel bike than the actual frame.
Most of the newer Gravel bikes are very good.
What is nice with Open is you get to custom pick all your parts.

Please PM me if you would like to discuss more about my Open.

[markdjr]

Go and pedal an Open, they are great bikes. Can't think of one I'd rather have.

[AZR3]

I have an early run Exploro and I had issues with seatpost slipping but some carbon grip paste solved that. Also they moved the clamp to the toptube which helps a lot, I had to put a piece of tape over the seat tube access hole as it gets packed with dirt and grim pretty quickly. One issue I have with the seat post is the Difflock micro adjuster.....I HATE IT! It's the worst part of the bike, it's not possible to get it set perfectly level and the aluminum is easily stripped while tightening and you have to get a different unit if you want to run oval railed saddle.
Now saying that the Exploro is by far my favorite bike. I've had aero bike and a 5.1kg Supersix Evo but I sold the aero bike and haven't touched the Evo but a handful of times in 2 years. The Exploro is great as an aero bike and then switch wheels and is great as a gravel bike. I upgraded to RED AXS 1x and I love it even more.

[joejack951]

The Exploro is great as an aero bike and then switch wheels and is great as a gravel bike.

Did you get the 12mm fork conversion kit fitted yet?

[AZR3]

The Exploro is great as an aero bike and then switch wheels and is great as a gravel bike.

Did you get the 12mm fork conversion kit fitted yet?

Yes I did, looks incredible, I haven't had a chance to test fit it yet but I will soon

[AZR3]

The Exploro is great as an aero bike and then switch wheels and is great as a gravel bike.

Did you get the 12mm fork conversion kit fitted yet?

No, but it looks incredible, I haven't had a chance to test fit it yet but I will soon

[Js2]

For those interested in Exploro, 3T told me they are revamping the seatpost design away from the diff lock mechanism.

I guess people are having issue with the diff lock like AZR3 or the elastomer coming apart like mine.

[alexaqui]

For those interested in Exploro, 3T told me they are revamping the seatpost design away from the diff lock mechanism.

I guess people are having issue with the diff lock like AZR3 or the elastomer coming apart like mine.

Any timeline on when the updates will be available for purchase?

[AZR3]

For those interested in Exploro, 3T told me they are revamping the seatpost design away from the diff lock mechanism.

I guess people are having issue with the diff lock like AZR3 or the elastomer coming apart like mine.

That's great news, not sure I'd update unless I manage to break mine though *knocks on wood*

[jbattermann]

I have an Open Upper and I truly love it. There are a few very minor 'particularities' regarding their spare parts and the lack of fender mounts (albeit that's just my personal problem), but nothing I really miss.

Built up as road bike it rides comfortably but still fast and overall great on the road but it truly shines on Gravel. A great frameset. I've had a 2019 Cannondale Synapse High-Mod, a Santa Cruz Stigmata CC from 2018 which were either more on the road side and the Stigmata more on the Cyclo Cross side, but the Up(per) achieves a wider arch across all those genres and does so exceptionally well.

[captainolek]

I was on the hunt for a used Open Up (the newer model with the better fork) for almost a year.

Hi there, sorry for resurrecting this old thread. I found a 2019 Open U.P. frameset but I'm not sure if it's coming with the "better fork". Do you know when they started producing the newer model? Thanks a lot