Yeti-inspired OPEN U.P. frameset released
Only 50 of these frames will be sold. Photo by Marc Gasch
No your eyes are not deceiving you. And no Yeti is not getting in the drop bar business. Not yet anyway. But this is one great looking bike. Here’s the backstory.
Yeti Cycles owner Chris Conroy and OPEN co-founder Andy Kessler often crossed paths early in their bike industry careers. Later, both struck out on their own to run two like-minded companies that share the same design philosophy — building bikes they want to ride. In this shared spirit, Yeti and OPEN have launched a Yeti-inspired OPEN U.P. frameset painted in iconic Yeti turquoise.
The U.P. (as in unbeaten path) is a carbon framed adventure bike that combines the geometry of a road-riding position with the clearance for cross and mountain bike tires (up to 27.5×2.1). The outcome is a bike capable of taking on asphalt, gravel roads or singletrack.
That’s a nice looking pair of bikes. Photo by Marc Gasch
“The combination of a fast, road body positioning and the tire clearance creates a different and enjoyable experience for the rider,” explained Kessler. “The best compliment we regularly receive about the U.P. is that it changes how and where people ride. Of course, with all the work (co-founder) Gerard (Vroomen) did on the frame details including carbon layup, MultiStop cable routing, direct flatmount disc brake integration, and signature dropped chainstay, the ride quality and esthetics appeal to people as well.”
When Kessler (who rides a Yeti SB 4.5) and Conroy first conspired on this project, they both marveled at the similarities between Yeti and OPEN in ethos, practice and focus on consumers. Both companies offer annual consumer events (Yeti Tribe Gathering, OPEN CrossFondue).
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6h_gSvdnUo
The Yeti-inspired U.P. frameset will be available to order through OPEN dealers and online at www.opencycle.com now and will ship in time for the holidays. It retails for $3200 and only 50 will be available so if interested best order soon.
The post Yeti-inspired OPEN U.P. frameset released appeared first on Mountain Bike Review.