Amgen tour of California 2012

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Van Dessel Gin & Trombones Disc review

  • This season we've been trying to ride disc brakes in all cyclo-cross conditions, not just those that suit better braking

    This season we've been trying to ride disc brakes in all cyclo-cross conditions, not just those that suit better braking

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Disc bikes have more heft than cantis but in many cases the weight pays huge dividends in terms of control

    Disc bikes have more heft than cantis but in many cases the weight pays huge dividends in terms of control

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Van Dessel use triple-butted 7005-series alloy for the G&T

    Van Dessel use triple-butted 7005-series alloy for the G&T

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • Mud clearance is good, as Van Dessel omits a chainstay bridge

    Mud clearance is good, as Van Dessel omits a chainstay bridge

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • Mud clearance is similarly good at the seatstays

    Mud clearance is similarly good at the seatstays

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • Disc brakes give a cleaner head-on look and help the bike stay cleaner — or at least keep the wheels turning — in the mud

    Disc brakes give a cleaner head-on look and help the bike stay cleaner — or at least keep the wheels turning — in the mud

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • Mud clearance for the disc-specific fork is good, too

    Mud clearance for the disc-specific fork is good, too

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • FSA's K-Force seatpost

    FSA's K-Force seatpost

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • We found Selle Italia's SLR saddle a bit firm for our liking

    We found Selle Italia's SLR saddle a bit firm for our liking

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • Velocity's Major Tom tubular rim

    Velocity's Major Tom tubular rim

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • Velocity's Disc hub

    Velocity's Disc hub

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • The Major Tom is a wider ’cross specific tubular rim

    The Major Tom is a wider ’cross specific tubular rim

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • The rear end is spaced for 130mm hubs and our bike came with Velocity's 130mm-spaced Major Tom alloy disc wheels

    The rear end is spaced for 130mm hubs and our bike came with Velocity's 130mm-spaced Major Tom alloy disc wheels

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • Van Dessel's disc-specific fork is plenty stiff

    Van Dessel's disc-specific fork is plenty stiff

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • Avid's decade-old BB7 mechanical disc brake

    Avid's decade-old BB7 mechanical disc brake

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • You can go back if you decide discs aren't for you; all you'll need is a new fork and brakes

    You can go back if you decide discs aren't for you; all you'll need is a new fork and brakes

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • Van Dessel's latest Gin & Trombones; we equipped ours with discs

    Van Dessel's latest Gin & Trombones; we equipped ours with discs

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • Van Dessel offered a SRAM kit with Force drivetrain and Red shifters for our test rig

    Van Dessel offered a SRAM kit with Force drivetrain and Red shifters for our test rig

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • The Gin & Trombones has been a stalwart of the Van Dessel line since 2005

    The Gin & Trombones has been a stalwart of the Van Dessel line since 2005

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • Edwin Bull, Van Dessel's owner, is of Belgian descent, as to explain the brand's roots with the culture

    Edwin Bull, Van Dessel's owner, is of Belgian descent, as to explain the brand's roots with the culture

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • SRAM Red shifters

    SRAM Red shifters

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • The G&T uses full cable housing from the top tube to the rear derailleur

    The G&T uses full cable housing from the top tube to the rear derailleur

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • The G&T logo

    The G&T logo

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • Despite fitting on the 54cm size, we preferred the ride of the 52cm

    Despite fitting on the 54cm size, we preferred the ride of the 52cm

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha

  • We'd have preferred to see 135mm spacing on the G&T, but then that would have meant two frames for Van Dessel

    We'd have preferred to see 135mm spacing on the G&T, but then that would have meant two frames for Van Dessel

    Photo credit © Matt Pacocha