
Van Dessel’s new carbon Full Tilt Boogie cyclocross racer is fresh outta the oven and starting to ship into their warehouse. Above is the first look at a full production frame. Below, words directly from their keyboard:
FROM VD: The Full Tilt Boogie is designed as a race-day frameset with emphasis on low weight, power transfer, precise handling, and compliance. Geometry is identical to that of the Gin & Trombones (=low BB).
Actual frame weight is 1250gr (56cm). While this may not be the lightest frame weight being touted, we have reinforced specific areas of the frame (like areas of top tube where bars can hit), and in general take a bit more of a ‘better safe than sorry’ approach as far as pushing the extreme of gram shaving. Especially in ‘cross, where an extra ounce of control and reliability often means more at the end of the day than shedding every last possible gram. Our testing showed that using some extra material in the right places was well worth the ‘penalty’ as far as handling and reliability/durability is concerned.
Our 1.5″ tapered fork used on both the new Full Tilt Boogie and Gin & Trombones is 480gr (un-cut, actual weight). Our fork handles brake shudder exceptionally well, but the forks do also have a front “brake” hole in the crown so that one could use a fork-mounted brake cable-stop to guarantee the complete elimination of any shudder issues. Likewise, with 340 gram claimed fork weights being thrown about, our own testing and development showed that while possible, dropping fork weight did not equal a better fork.
The Full Tilt Boogie promises to be fast, confidence inspiring, reliable, light, and sexy. It will be ridden this season by riders such as Adam Myerson, Jeff Bahnson, and Bill Elliston, with Jeff and Bill heading up our own Van Dessel Factory Team.
We will be on hand with demo bikes and team trailer at most regional/national east coast races, as well as select events such as the Louisville and Ft Collins USGPs, Nationals, and ‘Cross Vegas.
Updated pricing and build kits for the Full Tilt Boogie is after the break along with a photo of the fork and some thoughts on disc brakes on ‘cross bikes…
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