“I have always been a dirt/gravel guy, so when I decided I wanted to get a dedicated road bike, I wanted to make it special, something a bit different.

I knew from the beginning I wanted it to be matte black. I love the way the subtle downtube OPEN stickers gives a hint of the brand but it's not flashy branding at all.

I considered a 1x setup at first, but finally settled on 2x Dura Ace for a more classic approach on the drivetrain side of things.

Obviously the first thing I noticed, being a Made in USA “California” lighter frame, was the weight when I lifted it from the box - it’s an “illegal” bike according to the UCI.

I’m used to normally riding heavier mountain and gravel bikes, so this feels like a rocket to me, sometimes even “too light”, if that’s possible?

I’m based in sunny Tarragona, and can’t wait to put it to the test in the little mountains around my place and the really big ones in the Pyrenees and Alps next summer.”

 

Build Details