FlashBazbo

I'm giving serious consideration to an Open U.P. frameset but I haven't seen any real reviews other than the usual new product intro promotion pieces. The concept of the U.P. sounds enticing and using 650b to get to a wide tire when needed makes a lot of sense to me.

Does anyone have experience with an Open U.P.? What do you think? Does it work well for gnarly gravel and stream crossings? Or is it more "civilized" road oriented? Do all the clearances work well with Di2 front derailleurs? Is it reliable? Have you needed customer service? (And if you have, how was it?)

Spoonrobot 

gus6464

What happened to the Warbird?

tyrion

This guy has an Open UP and a number of videos about it. Nicely made videos. Total weight weenie.

https://www.youtube.com/user/phpchii

spdntrxi

I was just about to get a u.p.p.e.r when my current Parlee fell into my lap too cheap to pass up. I'd ridden the upper and it's very nice and I'm kinda still joensing for one because of the tire clearance it has over my Parlee... otherwise the Parlee has been great. Only drawback I can think of is limited to 50t big ring in front.. just in case you use it for road service.

FlashBazbo

ETA on the Warbird frameset went from March 20, to early May, to late May, to indeterminate. So, we're looking at Plan B.

Koyote

Geez, you just can't catch a break. Spending money shouldn't be so difficult.

Chi_Z

the frame got totaled and he had to get a replacement, sub 900g gravel frame is not a good idea. Also they do not disclose which factory in China is manufacturing the frame, QC might be an issue

Planemaker

For that price, have you looked into titanium?

I love my litespeed titanium gravel bike.

gus6464

Yeah he totalled it by getting hit by a car. How is QC relevant in that scenario?

gus6464

Ahh. Well it's the founders of Cervelo behind the Open so I'm pretty sure it's coming from the same factory that makes Cervelos.

Does your shop also carry Ibis? The Hakka MX might be another option.

gravelslider

They tried to copy the Open...

gravelslider

Wow is it worth the money. I love mine and have used it as a mountain bike on single track and as a fast endurance road bike. It is really fast. It is extremely comfortable and stable. The most efficient power transfer I have ever experienced on any bike and you can ride it happily on really rough stuff all day. Vroomen left Cervelo, is part owner of 3T and designed the Open. It truly is a great do all bike for anything short of heavy MTB. On single track it is so light that it makes biking a completely different experience. It eats Gravel roads for lunch and is a no comprimize fast road bike as long as you have the right tires and wheels on it. No problem with Di2. I am actually not riding my MTB any more and this is my bike of choice for distance road rides. There simply is nothing better for gravel. My only complaint is that it does not have fender or rack mounts and I'd prefer 5 -10mm more stack, but a few spacers cures that. I had one built to my spec at SweetWater Bikes near Pittsburgh and they did an outstanding job helping me pick the best components for it. It is also quite beautiful!

chas58

Describes my experience perfectly on the Canyon Inflite. I was cross shopping the two, but kinda hard to get a test ride on the UP. Isn't it crazy going on mountain bike trails on such a light bike? I love it - climbing is such a breeze, its hard to get back on my mountain bike unless I need suspension. That and taking it on hard road rides in the 25-30mph (average) speed range with road tires. Its great to have such a versatile bike.

chas58

Why is that? The warbird isn't exactly an athletic bike. Its a bit sedate in comparison to the UP.
Maybe you meant the 650b Warroad?

According to Guitar Ted, the Warroad: "...features short chain stays, a stiffer bottom bracket, and this results in the "squirt" feel that roadie-type gravel racers like to feel when they stomp on the pedals. "

the warbird doesn't jump hard. The UP I expect does.