Note: This limited edition of the OPEN WI.DE. features custom R&A Cycles colors. This special edition paint job is exclusive to R&A Cycles and cannot be found anywhere else.
After the brilliant success of the OPEN U.P., OPEN decided to take it to a new level. The OPEN WI.DE. stands for Widening Detours in reference to its ability to take on more challenging terrain. This bike can hold its own on the road but also takes on more difficult trails than virtually any other drop bar bike. That innovation is thanks to this bike’s ability to fit up to 2.4-inch tires comfortably. This frameset is your perfect start to building the most fun and capable gravel bike in your arsenal.
The extra tire clearance on this frame is possible thanks to the dropped chainstay to create an efficient box structure of the monostay behind the bottom bracket. This increases stiffness, reduces weight, and creates more tire clearance. The thin chainstays add to the tire clearance while also providing solid compliance and propulsion. With the new technology featured on the OPEN WI.DE., this bike lets you use wider tires than the U.P. while still having a performance geometry, narrow Q-Factor, and a road crank. This gives you a nimble and efficient ride on any terrain.
The frame of the WI.DE. was not built with too much concern for promoting “High-Mod Carbon.” It is made with a blend of different levels of carbon fiber to create a material that is lightweight and fast where it needs to be and durable in other areas. OPEN somewhat sarcastically calls this their “TRCinTRS Technology” which stands for “The Right Carbon in The Right Spot.” High grade carbon is very stiff but brittle. With lower grade carbon mixed in, the WI.DE. is able to take on the most technical trails with speed and nimble control.
The OPEN WI.DE. is equipped with the U-Turn Fork which is a huge part of the massive tire clearance on this bike. It is very lightweight thanks to Smartmount which attaches the calipers directly to the fork without any adaptors. These mounts are preset for 160mm discs which is perfect for gravel riders. Other convenient features include internal cable routing and a flat-out downtube that promotes stiffness and keeps your steering centered through the drivetrain. An extra bottle mount is featured under the downtube and a toolbox can be mounted off-center under the bottom bracket for stability and clearance from the chainring. The OPEN WI.DE. gives the adventurous rider everything they need to thrive on smooth tarmac or technical trails.