Open MIN.D. California

Designed in Switzerland. Made in California USA.

Rc5a 5

Probably the rarest bike on the planet.

Open MIN.D. California

If you have read Cyclefit newsletters and Journals, you will know that we are generally supporters at Cyclefit, where possible, of homegrown production. Seven is in Boston and make their bikes in the city walls. Passoni is in Milan and make their bikes in that city. You get the picture. We are also realists and accept that bicycle production is a fraught and painstaking business and domestic production is often prohibitively expensive.
And so we were extremely excited when we heard from Andy Kessler (Open CEO) that Gerard Vroomen (Open chief designer) was once again working with California-based engineer Don Guichard. Dan and Gerard last collaborated on the iconic and influential Cervelo R5Ca and the RCa.

The R5Ca and RCa were truly ground-breaking - frame weights of 600-700 grams over a decade ago and bikes that built up south of 6kg but north of £11k. Guichard and Vroomen alchemised pure magic in their Los Angeles laboratory. The inherently limiting factor of the project was the tiny output inherent in fabricating every part of the frame locally by skilled hand. Worthy but expensive.

Rc5a 6
Rc5a 13

Designed in Switzerland. Handmade in California

Rc5a 12

Every frame is by definition limited edition

MIN.D. California

The existing Open MIN.D. was a perfect starting point - a bike we loved at first contact at Cyclefit - both for its guiding ethos and astonishing ride.
The Californian model includes revisions to the tubing shapes, as well as a completely new carbon layup, special carbon materials, and ground-up Californian precision molds. This is an entirely different bike made on a different continent.

Rc5a 11

Only two frames made per week. Painstaking work.

""To be honest, it really didn’t need stiffer at all, but engineers will be engineers"

Andy Kessler (Open CEO)
MINDCA5

Same 25mm Integrated seat-mast

MINDCA3

Paired-back factory performance.

Numbers on The MIN.D.

  • The MIN.D. California is around 80 grams lighter than the standard MIN.D. But at the same time is rotationally stiffer in the critical bottom-bracket area.
    Andy Kessler (Open CEO) comments:

    "to be honest, it really didn’t need that at all, but engineers will be engineers!"

  • Incredibly, the California MIN.D. also offers even more vertical compliance through the proprietary Open seattube/seatmast, than the standard bike.
  • Only two frames per week will be made in the Los Angeles laboratory.
  • Weight for size L is 775 grams including integrated seatmast, which equals well under 700 grams for equivalent 'normal frame' that needs a seatpost
  • The Open MIN.D. California costs The frameset (frame, fork, headset) is EUR 7,500 (including sales tax but excluding shipping and duty).
Rc5a 14

What our clients say

  • "Rode my standard Box Hill loop this morning with the temp shims and more thought to position. Felt more connected and compact on the bike. Fastest ride of the year, picked up close to a km/per hour despite crappy wet pot holed roads, a ton of traffic and a couple of nights out Thu/Fri."

    Matt H

    Seven Evergreen SL

  • "I tried the shorter cranks today and I like them - it feels like it's less stress for the back and it seems easier to ride higher cadence. In the end I had a good Tour with no back problems. Thanks for your help!"

    Bauke Mollema

  • "I have a lot of trust in you guys and I know how you work so I think we could do something good. Orthotics feeling good."

    Tom Pidcock

    World and Olympic champion, Ineos Grenadiers.

  • "A different level of professionalism! Super friendly and they really cared."

    CB

    Regular cyclist

  • "A very thorough, professional and personal service. I was keen to analyse my bike position after breaking my hip. The custom footbeds and alterations to my position feel really good, just wish I’d come sooner! Many thanks"

    TD

    Endurance MTB rider