My bike Monday: Open Unbeaten Path

When Cervélo co-founder Gérard Vroomen founded Open Cycles in 2012 with Andy Kessler, the pair set out to create a smaller brand that could focus on product development and taking care of its customers. Focusing on designing a bike they would want to ride themselves, the company’s first build was the lightweight O-1.0 cross country hardtail mountain bike. The Unbeaten Path followed and was designed to accommodate road, ‘cross and mountain bike tires. The bike has geometry that makes it comfortable to ride on pavement,  gravel and singletrack. It also has enough clearance to let you choose whatever wheels and tires you want for those surfaces.

The UP has plenty of clearance to accommodate a wide selection of tires

Lots of room between the tires and the frame to make sure mud doesn't build up

Equipping the bike with hydraulic disc brakes ensures predicatable braking in a variety of conditions

With post-mount Shimano BR-RS785 road disc-brake calipers the UP has reliable stopping power

Mavic Ksyrium Pro Carbon SL tubular wheel

Tufo Flexus Primus 33 SG 28-mm 'cross tires

The wide clearance and hydraulic Shimano disc brakes ensure that no matter your tire selection or the conditions you choose to ride the bike in, you can expect reliable braking. The UP a unique, versatile adventure and gravel bike that’s able to take 700 x 23-40 mm tires and even 27.5 x 2.2 mountain bike tires. This 11 Inc. build had Mavic Ksyrium Pro Carbon SL tubular wheels with 28-mm Tufo ‘cross tires. Thru axles in both the front a back make for a stronger connection between the wheels and the frame and fork for added stiffness.

The UP has a more relaxed geometry than a 'cross bike

For longer adventures, the bolts on the top tube allow you to add storage or even another water bottle

A dropped chainstay allows for a compact rear end

The stiff bottom bracket is low and can accommodate a Shimano, SRAM or Campagnolo BB, as well as a number of other smaller brands

The bike’s geometry is more relaxed than a ‘cross bike, which allows the UP to handle a wider variety of riding styles. The frame still has a build that is light and stiff with thin seatstays for compliance. The low bottom bracket gives the bike more stability on rougher trails.

Shimano Ultegra 6870 Di2 11-speed shifters

Enve 44-mm bars and a 110-mm Enve stem

Shimano’s SPD 25th anniversary blue XTR pedals

Enve offset seatpost and Fabric Scoop Flat Pro saddle

A 11-32 tooth cassette ensures the gearing is well matched for a variety of riding styles

This build is equipped with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 11-speed groupset. With a compact 50/34-tooth crankset and an 11-34 cassette, the gearing is able to match the bikes versatility. This build has Shimano’s STD special edition 25th anniversary blue XTR pedals.

This custom build was shot at the 11 Inc. and is available for $11,000.