The U.P. 2.0 Adventure launched earlier this week. Gravel riders who desire speed and adventure just got something new to obsess over. OPEN has officially launched the U.P. 2.0 Adventure, the latest evolution of its Unbeaten Path family — and it’s designed to take riders further, faster, and with more gear than ever before.
Building on the aerodynamic and comfort‑focused U.P./U.P.PER 2.0 platform, the new model delivers meaningful upgrades particularly designed for bikepackers and long‑distance explorers. This direct evolution signals the next step in the U.P. Adventure story. As the press release notes, the U.P. 2.0 Adventure “takes the aerodynamics and comfort of the U.P.|U.P.PER. 2.0 frame and adds serious cargo capability and an even more comfortable fork.”
Aero Meets All‑Day Comfort
OPEN has always been vocal about managing speed with real‑world rideability. Co‑founder Gerard Vroomen sums it up perfectly: “Aero without comfort is useless.”
This ethos carries over into the U.P. 2.0 Adventure, where aerodynamic developments are integrated while still prioritizing the smooth, stable ride gravel cyclists trust for long-distance riding. This approach sets the stage for the bike’s key geometric updates.
A.I.R. Geometry: Agile, Integrated, Refined
Next, at the heart of these updates lies OPEN’s revised A.I.R. Geometry, crafted with the aim of seamless synergy among rider and machine. The now slightly longer and taller frames reflect the requirements of today’s gravel adventurers—riders who are stretching limits and demanding versatility.
Each frame size has unique geometry and tube shaping, and the forks are size-specific to preserve OPEN’s agile, responsive handling—even with bigger tires.
OPEN B.A.R.: A Cockpit That Actually Fits
One‑piece cockpits look sleek, but they rarely fit real riders. OPEN’s response is the OPEN B.A.R., an integrated bar system available in 10 sizes with a clever 15mm stem‑length adjustment range.
As CEO Andy Kessler puts it, riders obsess over tiny fit details elsewhere — so why accept for 10mm stem jumps? The B.A.R. lets you fine‑tune your position in seconds.
Built for Adventure, Not Just Speed
OPEN riders use their bikes for fast gravel loops and multi-day expeditions; the U.P. 2.0 Adventure is built for both.
Key upgrades include:
- ` for a strapless frame bag
- Compatibility with custom bags, including a forthcoming aero bag from Apidura
- A redesigned U‑Turn Adventure fork with improved comfort
- The world’s lightest fork‑mounted cargo system, allowing bags to strap directly to the fork legs without cages
The fork’s integrated slots let riders use soft bags, straps, bungees, or a standard cage. It’s a minimalist, elegant gear-carrying solution that doesn’t compromise handling.
Tire Clearance: OPEN’s Stance on the “50mm Problem.”
After years of testing, OPEN believes 50mm tires occupy a “valley of death”—too big for aero, too small for true low-resistance float.
Their lineup reflects that stance:
- U.P. 2.0: optimized for tires up to 45mm
- WI.DE. 2.0 (coming soon): for 55mm and beyond
The U.P. 2.0 Adventure fits this approach with 46mm max clearance, keeping the bike fast and agile whether loaded or not.
Availability, Pricing & Options
The U.P. 2.0 Adventure is available now in Orange Pearl, with custom colors and a Raw Ready‑to‑Paint option also offered.
Frameset pricing:
- Raw Ready‑to‑Paint: USD/EUR 3,200
- Orange Pearl: USD/EUR 3,500
Cockpit kit (OPEN B.A.R./seatpost/headset):
Complete bikes:
- Force XPLR / Zipp 303 XPLR S: USD/EUR 8,000
- Force XPLR / Zipp 303 XPLR SW: USD/EUR 8,800
- Red XPLR / Zipp 303 XPLR S: USD/EUR 9,400
- Red XPLR / Zipp 303 XPLR SW: USD/EUR 10,200
Final Thoughts
The U.P. 2.0 Adventure isn’t just a gravel bike—it doubles down on what made the U.P. revolutionary, accepting modern gravel riding realities: more comfort, cargo, fit adjustability, and the same focus on speed.
If you’re the kind of rider who wants a bike that’s as ready for a fast Saturday loop as it is for a weeklong bikepacking trip, this one deserves a serious look.
Of note and not mentioned…OPEN is getting away from supporting 650b. As an evangelist of OPEN and an early adopter, I understand the market has spoken regarding wheel formats. Still, it takes away all the capability 650b had to offer.
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