10 years of OPEN - what do you think?

Gerard Vroomen - 19-May-2022
This year OPEN celebrates 10 years. That fateful Friday the 13th when OPEN was officially founded changed a lot for Andy and I. We are very excited about all the changes for the next 10 years.



During the course of the year, we will reflect on this milestone more, but for now, we would love to hear from you. When we started OPEN, actually before we even announced it, I did a small survey and the results determined some important features of our first model, the O-1.0. Now we'd really like to know from you what you'd like to see for the future.

To do that, I've put together a new small survey. We hope you will take the time to fill it out, we don't like to ask for your time but this could really help us.



It does NOT matter if you already own an OPEN, we'd like to hear from everybody.

THE SURVEY IS HERE 

Thanks in advance!

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Comments & Questions

OPEN
Congratulations. You have reshaped a part of the industry and helped boost a new (old) genre: the allroad/gravel bike. Kudos. I wish you many more years of success.
Post #1 of 30. Posted by Xaver on 19-May-2022 08:28:48 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24562]
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OPEN
Thanks Xaver!
Post #6 of 30. Posted by Gerard Vroomen on 22-May-2022 15:15:41 GMT in reply to post #1 [24562<--24569]
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OPEN
Hi Guys,
Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond. My son and I are planning to ride the Great Divide in 23. This is his college graduation trip/present. We are assembling the gear now.
Is the Wide the ideal Open tool for the divide?
Ekar groupset, wheels (thinking either Campy - Levante - or Enve gravel wheels. Tailfin carbon attachments for our gear will be utilized. We will buy the bikes from Contender in Utah. ---- Any thoughts appreciated. cheers - Peter
Post #2 of 30. Posted by peter on 19-May-2022 10:17:46 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24563]
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OPEN
I would think so yes on the WIDE. For the wheels, I would probably go 650b for maximum strength and lowest chance of any problems.
Post #7 of 30. Posted by Gerard Vroomen on 22-May-2022 15:17:40 GMT in reply to post #2 [24563<--24570]
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OPEN
I am riding the GDMR in July with my new Open Wide using 650b tires. I will let you know how it goes....
Post #20 of 30. Posted by Chris on 31-May-2022 09:21:28 GMT in reply to post #2 [24563<--24583]
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OPEN
Adding my congratulations here for the pioneering work you guys have done. And adding thoughts on my recent purchase of UP w/EKAR - its a beautiful combo, solid and so smooth feels like my steel fixie. Campy Shamal wheels are beautiful as well - I also have ENVE AG wheel. Shamal are a bit higher profile and polished to a shine, subtle logos - the ENVE AG wheels a bit more industrial finish. Camby freehub is near silent - a strange but wonderful change from the screaming bees nest of my road hubs. And it would be hard to say enough positive things about my experience with Ryan at Contender in Utah - I live in Austin so it was all remotely executed and the UP showed UP here fully built to my specs, no assembly required, matching the pricing of direct through Open website (Contender had the inventory). I'll respond to your survey but wanted to leave these comments in a public forum as well. Thank you!!
Post #3 of 30. Posted by Bill Orr on 19-May-2022 15:26:41 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24564]
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OPEN
I filled out the survey. While I don't own an Open, I have a 3T Strada, so in spirit, I consider myself part of the Open family.

I'd really love to see you take another crack at a mountain bike. I recently got a very good deal on a used high-end hardtail to replace my aging fully, and I forgot how much fun hardtails are. Usually a lot of innovation that shows up in drop bar bikes comes to mountain bikes first, so I really think it might be worthwhile to look at what is going on here. Even XC focussed mountain bikes have gotten slacker head angles and updates to the geometry. I was suprised when I rented a 130 mm trail bike from Pivot: it was better than my XC fully in every single way. Probably I'd look at downcountry bikes for inspiration. I also like BMC's approach to dropper posts, they should come as standard with every bike and some of their mountain bikes have a matching, integrated dropper post.
Post #4 of 30. Posted by Max L. on 19-May-2022 22:44:35 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24565]
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OPEN
Hi Max, Thanks for the feedback. A mountain bike right now is unlikely. We're trying to make things simpler at OPEN, not more complicated!
Post #8 of 30. Posted by Gerard Vroomen on 22-May-2022 15:20:48 GMT in reply to post #4 [24565<--24571]
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OPEN
Makes sense business-wise. Although I would have liked to see your opinionated take on what an XC/downcountry mountain bike from 2030 would look like and put that on sale in 2023 ;-)

(Although I reckon designing a full-sus will be much, *much* harder than designing a road bike. Most of the common suspension designed must be thoroughly patented. I remember when I brought my Cube to Canada and a local rider claimed that my bike could not be sold in North America due to patent issues. Not sure if this was true, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it were.)
Post #10 of 30. Posted by Max L. on 22-May-2022 21:18:23 GMT in reply to post #8 [24571<--24573]
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OPEN
I am a new costumer but already a huge fan! Thank you very much for understand us as a costumer. The industry was forcing us to go more aero more racing looking for the marginal gains. You helped me to re-fall in love with the bike. Since I have my Min.d I realized that riding 100 km shouldn't be painful.
Thank you!!!!
Post #5 of 30. Posted by Miguel Diaz Hansen on 20-May-2022 08:37:38 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24566]
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OPEN
Glad you like it!
Post #9 of 30. Posted by Gerard Vroomen on 22-May-2022 15:21:07 GMT in reply to post #5 [24566<--24572]
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OPEN
Congratulations! I have a O-1.0 in white and it performs great nearly 10 years later and gets envious looks from other riders.
Post #11 of 30. Posted by David Meerman Scott on 23-May-2022 05:57:09 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24574]
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OPEN
ah, one of the originals. Nice!
Post #12 of 30. Posted by Gerard Vroomen on 23-May-2022 11:51:40 GMT in reply to post #11 [24574<--24575]
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OPEN
Congratulations Gerard (and Andy) on 10 years. My lightly-used orange U.P. was purchased from Heath 3 years ago. It has served me well thru many great rides, including multiples of Nigel's Hell rides and Spring classics. Wishing you good health and continued success.
Post #13 of 30. Posted by Paul Monczka on 24-May-2022 15:53:33 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24576]
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OPEN
Thanks Paul. Say hi to Heath for me when you see him next!
Post #14 of 30. Posted by Gerard Vroomen on 25-May-2022 04:30:46 GMT in reply to post #13 [24576<--24577]
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OPEN
and to Nigel of course!
Post #15 of 30. Posted by Gerard Vroomen on 25-May-2022 04:31:02 GMT in reply to post #13 [24576<--24578]
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OPEN
Answered the questionaire.

A less expensive OPEN / 3T, made of cheaper / heavier carbon or possibly even aluminum. Also less racy geometry / more endurance-y numbers. I see a lot of Opens / 3Ts with a bunch of headset spacers under the stem.
Post #16 of 30. Posted by Erol Orhun on 28-May-2022 07:21:38 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24579]
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OPEN
Hi Erol, thanks for the feedback. On the spacers, here's my experience after 25 years in the bike industry. Just like many cyclists think the ideal number of bikes to own is n+1, so too do many ride with 3 spacers regardless of the stack of the frame. It is amazing how few people play with their handlebar height to dial in their position. Of course a bike is often set up with some room to adjust, not with the steerer immediately cut down to the minimum.

I also remember at Cervelo, we had quite an aggressive geometry and the average number of spacers people used was 25mm. So then we increased the stack of the frames by 20mm and guess what, the average number of spacers was still 25mm.

In some cases this may be without a full awareness, as described above, but it's also a way in which people think they want a certain geometry and speed but then decide that higher is more comfortable and therefore better, and so the cycle continues. Just like whenever you see a city bike with an adjustable stem angle. Those are ALWAYS pointing straight up, never at any other angle.

Maybe the end situation in cycling in 2050 is that everybody is on a bike with the bars 10cm above the saddle, and speed doesn't matter anymore to anybody (or comes from the electric motor), I don't know. We'll see!!! :-)
Post #17 of 30. Posted by Gerard Vroomen on 30-May-2022 06:58:35 GMT in reply to post #16 [24579<--24580]
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OPEN
Congratulations!
I sold my 3T Exploro last year and got an Up. Then I got a Wide and then i got the MIN.D. I really love all the Open bikes.
What will be next? Maybe a titanium frame?

Best wishes from Vienna,
Alex
Post #18 of 30. Posted by Alexander on 30-May-2022 09:22:26 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24581]
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OPEN
Hey Alex, thanks! A Titanium frame is very unlikely, I think a steel frame would have a bigger chance (but also small so nobody gets their hopes up).
Post #19 of 30. Posted by Gerard Vroomen on 30-May-2022 11:01:24 GMT in reply to post #18 [24581<--24582]
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OPEN
Bikes look amazing. Many of my friends ride them. Any chance of slightly increasing the rear tire clearance on the UP? We all run 42's and most of the UP frames are having a bit of clearance issues, mostly on the seat tube. Just a slight tweak would be super cool. I know the wide would do it, but I am partial to 2x.
Post #21 of 30. Posted by Ryan on 01-Jun-2022 02:51:09 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24584]
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OPEN
Congrats. I appreciate the clean design of your bikes and that the whole family (up, upper, mind, wide) is following this.
great winning concept. waiting for some more coops in textil etc.
Post #22 of 30. Posted by Holger on 02-Jun-2022 05:26:15 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24585]
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OPEN
Congratulations on your first decade and for helping put cycling back on track(s!). With your frames and the advances in tyres and components it really has been a revolution.
My UPPER and WIDE have transformed my cycling immeasurably - thank-you!
For the future I can imagine a few things:
1) U-turn adventure fork - mounts and dynamo routing
2) Integrated cables - not a fan but it is clean and makes mounting handlebar bags and putting bikes in cars better
3) WI.DE + frame - up to 2.6/2.8"?! (probably mean MTB BB and cranks, so not ideal, and more niche)
Post #23 of 30. Posted by Packs on 07-Jun-2022 06:46:03 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24586]
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OPEN
Hoi Andy
Gratuliere! Ihr habt den Erfolg verdient. Alles Gute für die nächsten 10 Jahre!
Irgendwann fange ich dann auch noch an zu graveln.
Cheers

tom
Post #24 of 30. Posted by tom harbeke on 21-Jun-2022 06:12:29 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24591]
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OPEN
Hallo Tom, na ja Dein Bruder ist ja schon ein bisschen konvertiert.... es besteht auch noch Hoffnung für dich. Ganz Lieber Gruss Andy
Post #25 of 30. Posted by Andy Kessler on 21-Jun-2022 09:32:48 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24593]
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OPEN
I still have not come across a better bike for three years on my Open Up. I would love to go with an Open Wide with more of a relaxed geo, but I decided to hold off due to the limitation of the 42tooth upfront. I'm not a fan of Ekar and would prefer to stick with SRAM Etap. Thoughts on accommodating a 44t in the future?
Post #26 of 30. Posted by David Pastore on 08-Jul-2022 11:08:55 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24604]
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OPEN
Well, if you're a fan of SRAM, then for example the WIDE cranks (what's in a name) will fit bigger chainrings on the WIDE than 42T.
Post #27 of 30. Posted by Gerard Vroomen on 10-Jul-2022 10:10:08 GMT in reply to post #26 [24604<--24606]
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OPEN
A WIDE in 2X
Update carbon layup lighter
10 yr old technical
Post #28 of 30. Posted by Mark Zakowski on 01-Aug-2022 11:44:47 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24615]
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OPEN
Hi Mark, thanks for the feedback. The problem with 2x (especially electronic) is that the front derailleur really limits the tire size. So then you have a frame that can take massive tires but a front derailleur that cannot.
Post #29 of 30. Posted by Gerard Vroomen on 01-Aug-2022 12:24:45 GMT in reply to post #28 [24615<--24620]
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OPEN
I also have an original O-1.0 in black. My odometer shows about ~35k miles! I love the bike and it just keeps on going It was soooo expensive when I put it together, but now what a great investment after all these years! I have great stories about wanting to stay in a race and losing a d. hanger and you coming to my rescue last minute. I mean who does that anymore? Only downside is explaining to others what a BBright is!
I wonder how many bikes let alone Mt. bikes are near 10 years old and come in at 18+ pounds?!?!? but how can you stay in business when your bikes last so long and stay so competitive? lol
Toast you and your team. Many more years of success!
Greg
Post #30 of 30. Posted by Greg on 01-Aug-2022 15:15:08 GMT in reply to blog [0<--24628]
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