The OPEN MIN.D. is offered as a frameset only and is designed to combine sportiness with classic aesthetics. OPEN built up our test bike with a SRAM RED eTap AXS groupset and DT Swiss cyclocross wheels. How does the MIN.D. perform in comparison with the best road bikes of the 2021 season?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best road bike of 2021 – 15 models in review
OPEN MIN.D. – the name reflects exactly the new understanding of road bike riding that we’re trying to propagate with this group test. An understanding beyond conventions and perfect asphalt. The OPEN’s frameset-only MIN.D. feels, as far as its name is concerned, right as rain in our test. MIN.D. stands for MINimal Design and justifies the traditional diamond frame of the Swiss bike. Despite its classic lines, the frame sets its own standards and in many ways, is unique in this test. It’s the only frame where the Flat-Mount brake calliper can be mounted directly to the fork and chainstay without the use of adapters. That assumes 160 mm rotors front and rear but does ensure a tidy look for the brakes, lower weight and increased stiffness. The integrated seatpost is the second unique feature of the OPEN. With its 25 mm outside diameter, it’s also the narrowest in the test. Together with the delicate stays, there’s lots of compliance at the rear which contributes to the very good overall comfort. Further sources of comfort include the DT Swiss CRC 1400 wheels with shallow 24 mm rims and the tubeless 32 mm Schwalbe PRO ONE TLE tires. The wheels come from cyclocross and should put up with a lot of abuse, making them an unconventional but good solution for a road bike that should know no limits. Their inside width of 22.5 mm works perfectly with the Schwalbe tires, leaving them in a well-supported “U” shape.
The integrated seatpost of the OPEN embodies both pros and cons. On the one hand, it’s a visual highlight, on the other it makes using an aftermarket seatpost impossible and the frame unusable for a larger rider if you’ve cut down the seatpost. Measure twice, cut once!
The OPEN MIN.D. is the only bike in the test that allows the brake calliper to be mounted directly without an adapter. For 160 mm rotors, they are screwed directly into the fork and chainstays, resulting in the sleekest mounting in the test.
The finish of the OPEN reveals some interesting details. After a second or third look, the slogan “OPEN YOUR MIND” can be identified underneath the bottom bracket. After that, you ask yourself what else is hidden in the paint job and the exciting search begins.
OPEN MIN.D. 2021
€ 8,700
Specifications
Seatpost Frame integrated 25 mm
Brakes SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD 160/160 mm
Drivetrain SRAM RED eTap AXS GS-RED-E-B1 2 x 12
Chainring 46/33
Stem Beast Road Stem 110 mm
Handlebar Beast Road Handlebar 440 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss CRC 1400 12 x 100/12 x 142 mm Thru-Axle
Tires Schwalbe Pro One TLE 32-622 (700x32C) 32
Cranks SRAM RED FC-RED-D1 175 mm
Cassette SRAM RED CS-XG-1290-D1 10–33
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 7.07 kg
Specific Features
integrated one-piece, 25 mm diameter seatpost
DT Swiss CRC 1400 cyclocross wheelset
climbing-friendly 1:1 gear ratio
delicate chainstays
You’d think the classic and elegant lines of the OPEN and the high-end finish wouldn’t know what to do with dirt. The DT Swiss CRC 1400 cyclocross form the unlikely counterpart to the program. Nonetheless, for the test’s intended application, they’re a sensible choice.
The OPEN MIN.D. has some of the widest tires in the test with its 32 mm Schwalbe Pro One TLE rubber, and it makes full use of the elegant frame’s limits – more won’t fit.
The Beast Road Bar and Stem combination fit the classic design language of the OPEN visually. However, the long reach of the bars results in a stretched position. On top of that, while sprinting in the drops, you’ll end up hitting your forearms on the bars.
The OPEN is part of the minority of bikes in the group that is equipped with a SRAM drivetrain. It uses a RED eTap AXS groupset with 46/33 t chainrings and a 10–33 t cassette. That provides enough range for occasional high-speed spurts on the flats, while the 1:1 ratio in combination with the low 7.07 kg (size L) weight of the bike means it doesn’t shy away from demanding climbs either. The OPEN MIN.D. frameset changes hands for € 3,600 – the build we tested cost € 8,700.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 700 mm | 740 mm | 780 mm | 820 mm |
| Top tube | 530 mm | 550 mm | 569 mm | 589 mm |
| Head tube | 135 mm | 158 mm | 184 mm | 210 mm |
| Head angle | 71.0° | 72.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° |
| Seat angle | 72.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° |
| Chainstays | 405 mm | 405 mm | 405 mm | 405 mm |
| BB Drop | 73 mm | 71 mm | 71 mm | 71 mm |
| Wheelbase | 971 mm | 978 mm | 997 mm | 1,018 mm |
| Reach | 361 mm | 373 mm | 385 mm | 397 mm |
| Stack | 535 mm | 560 mm | 585 mm | 610 mm |
Jersey Isadore IAR T-Shirt | Pants Rapha Men’s Cargo Bib Shorts | Shoes Fizik Infinito R1
Socks MB WEAR Palm
The OPEN MIN.D. in review
The MIN.D. from Swiss brand OPEN wants to be a bike that lets you cover ground quickly but comfortably. The stack and reach of the frame are conceived so that you sit in a sporty position, but you’ll still be able to maintain it over long periods as a non-pro. This works very well! Thanks to the frame geometry, integrated seatpost and delicate stays in combination with the shallow DT Swiss rims and voluminous Schwalbe tubeless tires, it sits just behind the MERIDA SCULTURA ENDURANCE CUSTOM at the head of the group in terms of comfort.
The OPEN MIN.D. doesn’t force you to do anything but is happy to do almost anything you want. You’re in charge and the bike is your trustworthy companion. Nothing necessary, everything possible – has to be one of these Swiss understatements.
Only the long reach of the Beast Road Bar detracts slightly as it makes the already stretched position too long overall. Nonetheless, you sit well-integrated on the bike and together with the planted feel on the road and good-natured handling, the bike conveys trust and security of the highest level leaving you to fully appreciate the balanced handling.
While it doesn’t have the directness of the S-Works Aethos, the OPEN steers precisely enough and is well-suited to beginners with its good temper. The metier of the MIN.D. is primarily on winding roads, whose corners the MIN.D. takes intuitively and with maximum amounts of fun regardless of the radius. Unlike the BMC Roadmachine or the MERIDA REACTO, the bike doesn’t force speed down its pilot’s throat but is happy to do almost anything you demand of it. It sets off willingly, looks lively while sprinting, is sufficiently efficient on the flats and heads uphill without complaints. In the process, the focus is always on a good-natured ride and control rather than the last ounce of performance.
Tuning tip: bars with less reach could avoid the stretched riding position in favour of a more compact one.
Riding Characteristics
4Agility
- cumbersome
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- confident
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Fun factor
- boring
- lively
Comfort
- firm
- comfortable
Value for money
- terrible
- very good
Conclusion
The OPEN MIN.D. is the perfect all-rounder for road bike connoisseurs and individualists of all abilities. Here you’ll find a good-natured bike that won’t be seen at every club ride, that stays supremely capable on every terrain, even during occasional detours over gravel or hardpack, and that loves long comfortable cruises on winding roads. Ambitious racers and peloton riders will miss that last iota of speed and directness.
Tops
- overall a very coherent bike
- intuitive and good-natured handling
- high level of comfort
Flops
- ergonomics of bars with too much reach
For more information head to opencycle.com
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best road bike of 2021 – 15 models in review
All bikes in test: BMC Roadmachine 01 ONE (Click for review) | Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Disc Ultegra (Click for review) | Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 eTap (Click for review) | Cervélo Caledonia-5 Dura Ace Di2 Disc (Click for review) | Mason Resolution Ekar (Click for review) | MERIDA REACTO TEAM-E CUSTOM (Click for review) | MERIDA SCULTURA ENDURANCE CUSTOM (Click for review) | OPEN MIN.D. | Orbea Gain M20i (Click for review) | ROSE REVEAL FOUR DISC Ultegra Di2 (Click for review) | SCOTT Addict eRIDE Premium (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Aethos (Click for review) | Storck Fascenario.3 Comp Disc Ultegra (Click for review) | Trek Domane+ LT 9 (Click for review) | Wilier Filante SLR (Click for review)
No, it’s not about perfect race tracks, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along high-speed passages need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret “Smooth tarmac” bikes as follows: Hard efforts at high speeds with a maximum efficient bike on a consistently well-paved road. Effort-joy ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!)↩
… also known as bike riding. Broken-up roads in the hinterland, deadlocked gravel roads, loose surfaces – sometimes muddy, sometimes bone-dry. For this, it takes bikes with super all-round, handling and wearing qualities uphill and downhill. Effort-joy ratio: 50:50↩
If you want to use your bike almost every day, you usually do not need an extremely tuned racing machine. Solid components, which are able to cope with the rigours of continuous usage in any kind of weather, are part of the basic equipment. At the same time, the bike should have practicable details: integrated fenders/assembly options, luggage racks/attachment points and a light system or at least the option of installing bike lights. The position on the bike should be rather relaxed, the overall comfort high, so that the Afterwork Ride becomes a cure and not a curse. Effort-joy ratio: 30:70↩
You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl
