Last week, OPEN launched the new WI.DE., also known as WI.DE. 2.0, thus turning the current model into a classic overnight.
Obviously, I have not ridden the MK2; however, I have looked at the specs and came to a quick conclusion that it is an entirely new gravel bike if you pay attention to the increased tyre clearance that is just mind-boggling for the best, the more aerodynamic design, UDH compatibility, the countless cargo options and the lack of 27.5 inch (650B) options. The frame now sticks only to 700c/29 inch as that wheel size fell out of favour to my consternation. Fortunately, I have stockpiled as I saw it coming, but I digress. You can read more about the OPEN WI.DE. 2.0 here.
Already, I have had people messaging me via Instagram DMs and my email inbox. Owners of the MK1 model want to know whether they should upgrade, those who are considering the first OPEN WI.DE. want to know if it is a good bet, while others ask whether to go for the old or the new one, and finally, people are asking me if they should purchase the new OPEN U.P. or the new OPEN WI.DE..
I am a “you can never get enough bicycles” type of person and I am a big fan of OPEN Cycle, so I think I am not the best person to ask such questions because I am extremely biased.
What I tell everyone is what I will share with you.
I already own the “classic” OPEN U.P.P.E.R. (as a road bike configuration) and OPEN WI.DE. (as a monster gravel setup). They serve me very well and I have countless amounts of fun on them whether I am crossing continents, countries or going around the corner for cake.
Despite the distances I put on my bikes, I take care of them and they are well maintained, so they should serve me well for decades to come.
That said, the new OPENs are upgrades that I am coveting because the U.P.P.E.R. can become my 2x that has wider tyre clearance over the previous generation. I can now fit a 46 mm tyre on my endurance road bike build, which is much more comfortable and puncture resistant than the 38 mm that the outgoing one can handle without having to resort to 650B wheels.
Plus, it is more aerodynamic and while I am a slow rider, every little optimisation counts, especially when my endurance rides are counted in days, not hours. Plus, I would also get to upgrade to the new UDH-compatible SRAM drivetrains, especially the rumoured 2x 13-speed, which alone would make the U.P.P.E.R. 2.0 a no-brainer.
And when it comes to the OPEN WI.DE. released last week, I would say that the switch from 46 mm to 66 mm (2.6 inch) on 700c without resorting to the 61 mm (2.4 inch) 650B and the ability to slap on the 1x 13-speed XPLR groupset (which reduces the gear jumps that anyone who has to face questionable gravel or carry weight on their bike will appreciate) and lastly those two internal storage bags that fit perfectly in the frame will make mini saddle bags history. I really dislike their looks to the extent that when riding gravel, I sacrifice a second water bottle to put a tool box in the second cage, as depicted in the photo above of my RTP (ready-to-paint) OPEN WI.DE. Version 1 (painted by the amazing VéloColour in Toronto).
What am I saying?
I will keep my current OPENs and get the new U.P.P.E.R. and WI.DE. because they are four different bikes which will be turned into specialists.
The MK1 U.P.P.E.R. will keep its 2x 12-speed but get discontinued yet stockpiled 650B Zipp wheels and René Herse slick 650×48 to become a long-distance/endurance bike on surfaces that are terrible asphalt or decent gravel.
The MK2 U.P.P.E.R. will get the 2x 12-speed or rumoured 13-speed, 700c Zipp 353 fast wheels and René Herse 44 mm slicks to become my road bike in endurance configuration on mostly asphalt, even if it will be more than capable on sketchy surfaces, paved or not.
The MK1 WI.DE. will remain as is, i.e., 650B x 55 (2.2 inch) (Zipp wheels and René Herse tyres) with XPLR 12-speed; however, I will leave that bike in London, UK, or Houten, Netherlands, where I base myself when travelling to Europe and sometimes needing to go to Kenya or Rwanda for cycling safaris.
When I visit from Canada, I can only bring one bike. When I bring the road bike, I need the gravel bike and vice versa. This way, I could just travel with the road bike, i.e., the new U.P.P.E.R., and have both bikes for when I want to deal with the UK’s “gravel”—which is mud—yet be able to tackle my favourite road endurance ride, the Orbital.
The MK2 WI.DE. will become my extreme gravel bike and my expedition bike, two distinct disciplines that it will excel in given its specifications. It will have a 1x XPLR 13-speed and I will max out the 66 mm (2.6 inch) if we can get René Herse to start making tyres wider than their current 55 mm (2.2 inch) slick or treaded models. I am sure they are working on that! That would be my off-road beast and my commuter, because those who have experienced Montréal (my hometown) roads will appreciate such comfortable tyres. That will be on the first wheelset.
The second wheelset will have a maxed out 66 mm (2.6 inch) slick tyre for expeditions. Like I said, I am a slow cyclist and I need all the comfort that I can get, and I need to be able to take shortcuts on surfaces where narrow tyres would just never be considered. I will fully take advantage of the fact that it has so many mounts to put various Tailfin bags to good use.
I could go on; however, this is becoming an essay, so I will stop here.
If you need absolute advice, here is my take. Get the new WI.DE. It is more modern, has more features and abilities and it is more future-proof.
And that is not some BS because the classic WI.DE. is still future-proof and I can ride it until the day I die as it does exactly what I want it to do. The new generation will just allow me to do more and this is not a contradiction because, like I said, they are two different bikes even if they are namesakes.
If you are on a budget and yet want the premium bike, consider getting a first-gen WI.DE. new or used as they will become more affordable given the launch of the 2.0.
U.P. 2.0 vs WI.DE. 2.0: this is an easy one. If you ride on gravel that scares you and has you praying aloud to make it home alive, get the WI.DE. with a MTB cassette! If your idea of gravel is an unpaved road with the occasional washed-out ground and perhaps some loose soil, and to get to that gravel you have to first ride some serious asphalt, get the U.P. 2.0 with the 13-speed XPLR or 2x if you need it to be an “all road” and gravel bike for those who prefer or can only own one.
I am sure I missed a lot of things and most of you will notice that I have a bias. Yes, I do. I am repeating this just in case. However, the advice still stands even if in my world the only gravel frames that I would consider are OPEN, which is not very… open-minded of me, but the heart likes what the heart likes!