The OPEN WI.DE. is living the supple life on its huge 650 x 54B tires and with numerous features on offer, is fighting for gravel dominance. So let’s get to it. How does this gravel bike on steroids fare in direct comparison to the competition?
Click here for an overview of the best gravel bike 2020 group test.
OPEN have a unique mission: “Work hard to stay small!” Staying true to their credo, the team of Andy Kessler and Gerard Vroomen put a huge amount of thought into the concept for their newest model. The WI.DE expands on the already gravel-focussed range from the Swiss brand, joining the U.P. and U.P.P.E.R. in the lineup for € 3,200 (frameset only). It maintains the typically tidy OPEN design language but offers sufficient clearance for impressively large tires: 700 x 46C or 650 x 60B. But thanks to the “Double Drop” chainstays, the frame is still compatible with standard q-factor road cranks. Along with space for tires, the frame offers plenty of mounting point for bottle cages and bags. That allows you to carry luggage on mounting points on the down and top tubes, as well as under the bottom bracket. For the latter the low position improves weight distribution, offering a sensible place for heavier items like your tool kit. Somewhat tongue in cheek, OPEN are also clear on the fact that they don’t set much stock by labels of “100% hi-modulus aero-space carbon” but take a more reasoned approach. According to them, it’s all about using the right carbon in the right places – TRCinTRS™.
The OPEN WI.DE. in detail
Drivetrain SRAM Force eTap AXS with SRAM Eagle eTap AXS derailleur
Gearing 42 t and 10-50 t, 1×12
Brakes SRAM Force HRD, 160/160 mm
Handlebar ENVE Compact, 440 mm
Stem ENVE Stem, 100 mm
Seatpost ENVE Post, 0 mm offset
Wheels DT Swiss GRC 1400 SPLINE DB
Tires Schwalbe G-One Bite TLE 650 x 54B
Despite their aggressive tread and large 650 x 54B measurement, the frameset effortlessly swallows the Schwalbe G-One Bite TLE tires.
There are bosses underneath the bottom bracket to mount a tool box. The position and low centre of gravity have minimal impact on handling.
The “Double Drop” chainstays allow standard road cranks with a narrow q-factor to be installed, despite the huge tire clearances.
The combination of SRAM AXS mountain and road drivetrain parts results in a huge 500% gear range.
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 500 mm | 500 mm | 530 mm | 560 mm | 590 mm |
| Top tube | 510 mm | 530 mm | 550 mm | 570 mm | 590 mm |
| Head tube | 99 mm | 125 mm | 150 mm | 170 mm | 196 mm |
| Head angle | 68.0° | 69.0° | 71.0° | 71.5° | 71.5° |
| Seat angle | 74.5° | 74.0° | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73.5° |
| Chainstays | 420 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm | 420 mm |
| BB Drop | 80 mm | 77 mm | 75 mm | 75 mm | 75 mm |
| Wheelbase | 990 mm | 1,004 mm | 1,009 mm | 1,022 mm | 1,042 mm |
| Reach | 346 mm | 358 mm | 370 mm | 382 mm | 490 mm |
| Stack | 520 mm | 545 mm | 570 mm | 595 mm | 620 mm |
The OPEN WI.DE. in review
The dimensions of the WI.DE might imply a sluggish ride but step on the pedals and it’s anything but. At 8.28 kg in size L, it’s one of the lightest bikes in our group test and it springs wilfully forward from a standstill or out of corners. On the road, it’s only the tread of the Schwalbe G-One Biet TLE tires that robs the OPEN of top marks in terms of efficiency. The combination of low weight and the SRAM AXS drivetrain consisting of Force eTAP AXS shifters and cranks, and Eagle AXS derailleur and cassette with a 500% range ensure the OPEN can surmount any terrain. Having scampered up the steepest of slopes, this bike shows its particular prowess on technical terrain. It stays composed even while rolling through fist-sized scree, turning gravel adventures in the remotest locations into a true pleasure to ride.
A second 700C wheelset, for an even more versatile bike
The OPEN marches inexorably forward through technical terrain, like Obelix through the amassed Roman ranks.
The specially constructed rear end means that the WI.DE offers good compliance and comfort despite its zero-offset seatpost, matching the comfortable front end perfectly. The 90 mm stem also creates a compact and upright position which increases comfort further. As a result of the high volume tires, pressures can be correspondingly reduced, further improving the rolling characteristics of the 27.5” DT Swiss wheels. However, you might have to play around a bit to find the pressure that works best for you and to avoid a vague and spongy feeling ride.
Conclusion
The WI.DE expands OPEN’s portfolio with a gravel-specialist specifically for the rough stuff. If you want to ride almost exclusively off-road on your expeditions, you’ll find an incredibly well thought through option here. With 700C slicks, the OPEN transforms into what is likely the most comfortable road bike around. However, if you put more stock in all-round characteristics but are a fan of what OPEN does, then you should take a closer look at the U.P.(P.E.R.).
Tops
- capable on very technical terrain
- quick acceleration
- coherent and thoughtful build
Flops
- slightly limited all-round performance in this off-road build
- you’ll now have to buy both the U.P.(P.P.E.R.) and the WI.DE.
Riding Characteristics
4Agility
- cumbersome
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- confident
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Fun factor
- boring
- lively
Value for money
- terrible
- very good
For more info: opencycle.com
Click here for an overview of the best gravel bike 2020 group test.
All bikes in test: Argon 18 Dark Matter | Cannondale Topstone Carbon Ultegra RX | Canyon Grail AL 7.0 | Cervélo Áspero | Giant Revolt Advanced Pro Force | Kona Libre AL | Liteville 4-ONE MK1 | OPEN WI.DE. | Pivot Vault Team Force | ROSE BACKROAD GRX RX810 Di2 | Santa Cruz Stigmata CC | Specialized Turbo Creo SL Expert EVO | Standert Pfadfinder | Trek Domane SLR 9 eTap
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! ↩
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Words: Photos: GRAN FONDO-Team
