OPEN U.P.PER. CONCE.PT 2025 on Review – The Concept Bike Behind OPEN’s New Gravel Generation

OPEN have used the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT to map out the next evolution of their U.P. and U.P.PER frame platforms. Strictly limited in numbers, this concept frameset serves as a testbed for new shapes, carbon layups and compliance concepts. We got our hands on one of the rare test bikes and took a deep dive into the thinking behind it – and what it reveals about the next generation of OPEN’s gravel line-up.

Back in May 2025, OPEN unveiled the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT. Strictly limited and already mostly sold out, the concept bike is conceived not as a production model but as a glimpse into what lies ahead. Lightness and efficiency are key, paired with a new approach to gravel that puts climbing and comfort on equal footing with aerodynamics.

Staying true to their ethos, OPEN continue to do things their own way. Rather than chasing short product cycles or gimmicky marketing trends, they focus on deliberate, thoughtful evolution. Behind the brand are Andy Kessler, former CEO of BMC, and Gerard Vroomen, co-founder of Cervélo – two veterans who’ve had a huge influence on road and gravel cycling alike and are now channeling that experience into an independent venture.

With the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT, OPEN are marking a clear shift – not by releasing a new production model, but by rethinking what a gravel bike can be. The name says it all: “PT” stands not just for “Concept” but also for Portugal, where an OPEN frame was manufactured for the first time. That alone marks a major step for the brand. The CONCE.PT also introduces a new design language and construction philosophy. To underline its experimental nature, OPEN kept it strictly limited: just 250 framesets were made available worldwide, each priced at € 5,600.

We were lucky enough to get one of the few test bikes, and many of the concepts explored in the CONCE.PT have since made their way into the new U.P. and U.P.PER 2.0. All the more reason to take a second look and see how this concept bike helped shape the new OPEN DNA.

Reduce to the Max: The OPEN U.P.PER. CONCE.PT in Detail

From both a technical and visual perspective, the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT consistently follows the “reduce to the max” principle. OPEN’s designers wanted to create a bike that clearly signals a new direction, focusing on what really matters. The familiar OPEN comfort was to be retained, while tube shapes were sharpened aerodynamically only where it actually makes a difference. The down tube remains close in cross section to the previous U.P.PER, but now features a clearly more aero profile.

Even more striking is the slanted, narrow head tube, which underlines the new aero direction both visually and functionally. This technical shift also defines the overall look. Up front, the low stack, integrated fork and seamless cockpit give the bike an almost aero road-bike appearance. By contrast, the rear is deliberately pared back, with extremely slender seatstays and a delicate seat tube.

The Specs of the OPEN U.P.PER. CONCE.PT

Although the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT was only available as a frameset, our test bike came as a complete high-end build, consisting of frame, fork, integrated one-piece cockpit and a matching round seatpost. Everything is designed around performance and reduction, not versatility. The CONCE.PT is exclusively built for 1x electronic drivetrains and deliberately renounces a front derailleur mount, mudguard mounts or additional bosses on the fork and rear triangle. “Reduce to the max” is not just a slogan here, but a core part of the design.

OPEN went all in on premium components. The SRAM RED XPLR AXS 1×13 with power meter is paired with uncompromising lightweight touches such as the GINGER saddle with its 3D-printed upper. Shifting is as crisp as you expect, and the gearing range is clearly tuned for steep ramps and efficient climbing. You get huge reserves when the road tilts skywards, while top speed on the flat is deliberately limited.

Particularly interesting is the integrated cockpit. While one-piece solutions often look great but allow for limited adjustments, OPEN take a very different approach with the new B.A.R. system. Thanks to a patented internal clamp, the stem length can be adjusted by 15 mm in 5 mm increments, without disconnecting the brake hoses. Combined with ten different handlebar shapes, this should allow virtually everyone to dial in their perfect position.

The carbon wheels come from BikeBeat and give the setup a noticeably light, smooth ride, while the 40 mm Schwalbe G-One RS Pro tires complete the concept somewhere between race gravel and all-road.

The strictly limited U.P.PER. CONCE.PT is now completely sold out and has been replaced by the new U.P.PER 2.0. This model picks up many of the concepts tested here but adds more everyday usability. This includes increased tire clearance up to 46 mm, a standard chain catcher and the option of both 1x and 2x drivetrains. At the same time, OPEN adopt modern standards such as a T47 bottom bracket, UDH derailleur hanger as well as fully internal cable routing.

Compact, Efficient, Built to Climb: The Geometry of the OPEN U.P.PER. CONCE.PT

The geometry of the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT clearly defines the new OPEN DNA and underlines the bike’s sporty, efficient character. With 570 mm stack height and 380 mm reach in size M, the riding position is pleasantly compact without feeling cramped, which makes it ideal for long climbs and a central, powerful pedalling position.

The combination of a 71.5° head angle and 425 mm chainstays ensures balanced handling that feels direct but never nervous, showing its strengths particularly on fine gravel. The steep 73.5° seat tube angle positions you efficiently over the bottom bracket and supports very direct power transfer when climbing. With a 1,024 mm wheelbase, the bike remains stable at speed, while the moderate 75 mm bottom bracket drop adds extra control in corners and out of the saddle.

Size	M	L
Top Tube	545 mm	564 mm
Seat Tube	483 mm	504 mm
Head Angle	71.5°	72.5°
Seat Angle	73.5°	73.5°
BB Drop	75 mm	73 mm
Wheelbase	1024 mm	1028 mm
Reach	380 mm	392 mm
Stack	570 mm	595 mm

Road DNA on Gravel? The OPEN U.P.PER. CONCE.PT on Test

Once you hit the test loop, it becomes immediately clear that the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT is an incredibly fun, direct gravel bike with a clear licence to climb. A touch of pressure on the pedals is all it takes and the bike takes off, light, efficient and with a surprising road-like snap. The combination of the ultra-light 850 g frame, the lively BikeBeat wheels and the stiff front end delivers a ride feel you would normally expect from a modern all-road racer rather than a gravel bike.

What you sense in the first few metres continues consistently in the details. The climbing focus runs through the entire setup. The 40-tooth chainring is clearly aimed at steep ramps and limits top speed on the flat, but uphill the bike feels almost weightless. Even out of the saddle, it remains pleasantly efficient, although under maximum load you can feel a slight flex in the rear end. That fits the overall picture. For OPEN, CONCE.PT doesn’t stand for brute stiffness, but for a mix of low weight, comfort and intelligently balanced performance.

Comfort also shows two distinct faces. The rear end with its flexy seatpost reacts very sensitively and should be a real treat for lighter riders. The front is sporty and firm, delivering the precision you want, which perfectly suits the bike’s climbing and speed-focused character.

Handling is balanced overall, more direct than playful, but never nervous, which clearly positions the bike in the sporty gravel segment. It feels most at home on fine gravel, where it’s fast, controlled and impressively light on its feet. On rougher terrain, the 40 mm Schwalbe G-One RS Pro tires reach their limits. Grip and reserves are limited, which becomes particularly noticeable on rough descents.

In the end, the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT presents itself as a pure performance gravel bike with clear road DNA and a strong climbing focus. It’s a bike that loves to climb, shines on fast gravel sections and is aimed at riders looking for an ultra-light, reactive and emotional gravel experience, rather than maximum reserves in rough terrain.

Who Should Tale a Closer Look at the OPEN U.P.PER. CONCE.PT?

The U.P.PER. CONCE.PT is a specialist for hilly terrain and fast gravel rides. With its low system weight, heavily climbing-oriented geometry and direct, road bike-like drive, it’s aimed at riders who prioritise efficiency and lightness over maximum off-road reserves.

As the CONCE.PT is strictly limited and nearly sold out, attention now naturally shifts to the new U.P. and U.P.PER. 2.0 models. Many of the ideas introduced by the CONCE.PT are set to live on there. How close the production bikes come to the ride feel of the concept bike can only be answered by a separate test.

Conclusions About the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT

With the U.P.PER. CONCE.PT, OPEN didn’t want to launch yet another gravel bike, but to make a technical statement, and that’s exactly what they achieved. The strictly exclusive concept model clearly shows where the brand is heading in terms of design language, manufacturing and ride character. Many of the ideas first sketched out here can now be found in the new generation of U.P. and U.P.PER models. If you love hilly gravel routes, appreciate light-footed handling and are looking for a purist, technically precise performance bike, the CONCE.PT embodies this philosophy, and the new models offer a realistic way to get very close to it.

More information at opencycle.com

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Words & Photos: Jan Fock