The frame manufacturer Open Cycle - backed by former BMC CEO Andy Kessler and Cérvelo co-founder Gerard Vroomen - is not subject to known product cycles. This means that new bikes are not necessarily presented at fixed points such as Eurobike, but when the product has been fully developed.

Everything in tire format
This stage has now been reached by the "U.P." bike, which the makers have given the name Gravel Plus. Gravel is the German word for gravel and the Plus refers to several different wheel size options: The rear triangle - the hub is clamped in via an X-12 thru axle from Syntace - can accommodate 700c road and cross bike tires as well as 650b mountain bike tires.

Space shortage in the bottom bracket area solved
To make room for all tires, a lot of detailed work has gone into the bottom bracket and chainstay area. In order to make all options possible with regard to bottom bracket, crankset (1x and 2x) and tires, the right-hand chainstay is pulled down considerably and thus not only makes more space, but the bottom bracket stiffness should also benefit from this design.

Simply wired
The wiring of the shifting and braking system also leaves numerous options open. Here, the frame can be designed for all shifting variants à la mechanical 2x10/11, 1x10/11 and Di2 electric shifting using "MultiStop" cable stops. If the rider operates the bike in single-chainring mode, the front derailleur mount on the seat tube can also be removed.

Two eyelets on the top tube are less simple and more prominently positioned. These are used to attach panniers and underline the "adventure character" of the bike.

Made for gravel roads - available for lots of gravel
The "U.P." frame weighs around 1150 grams and costs a whopping 2900 euros. Users can currently have their say on the company website, on Facebook or Twitter as to whether the final frame will be offered in orange or brown. The first deliveries are scheduled for July.

www.opencycle.com