Van Dessel Cycles has been a roll these last few years, releasing its made-in-USA Aloominator cantilever cyclocross frame in 2013, then updating its Full Tilt Boogie carbon frame with a weight-shedding diet, disc brakes, thru axles and more tire clearance. Now the company has given the one-bike believers two reasons to celebrate with its new aluminum A.D.D. model and its updated steel WTF bike. While complete details have yet to be released, the company has released a few photos of the new bikes, and we got a sneak peek at some details and pricing.
The carbon Full Title Boogie is one of our favorites for cyclocross and gravel due to its lightweight frame, race-ready geometry, and big tire (or big mud) clearance. It’s also quite unique in that you can easily switch between QR and thru axle out back. (See our profile of Cassie Maximenko’s unique Full Tilt Boogie build from Sea Otter.)
The brand new A.D.D. bike continues the Full Tilt Boogie versatility but with a more affordable aluminum frame and increased tire clearance for fat 650b rubber. The Van Dessel A.D.D. is one of a growing number of bikes designed to embrace both 700c and 650b wheel options, with 3T’s Exploro and Open Cycle’s U.P. being two others. Although we haven’t seen a final geometry chart, we’re guessing the A.D.D. will sit between those two much more expensive carbon bikes in terms of geometry and handling. (See our first ride impressions of the 3T Exploro.)
The A.D.D. is designed to be at home on the cyclocross course, but will accept 700x40c tires for gravel rides and races, but if you downsize to 650b wheels, you can use tires as wide as 2.2″ for some monster cross adventures, while still achieving a similar tire diameter and ride height as the bike has with 700c tires.
Van Dessel’s new aluminum A.D.D. do-it-all cyclocross/gravel/adventure bke.
The aluminum frame and carbon fork will retail for $999, while Shimano 105 mechanical disc brake complete bikes are $2199. An Apex 1 hydraulic disc brake, Rival 1 or Rival 22 mechanical disc brake bike will be $2499, but Van Dessel offers an impressive 19 different builds, including a $6699 model with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and hydraulic disc brakes.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BH7puZcgzQ3/?taken-by=van_dessel
The company also plans to offer the A.D.D. with a steel fork option that will accept a front rack, bottle cages and fenders should someone want to try touring or bikepacking.
Sure, the name might not be the most politically correct choice, but for a company that has model names like the WTF, we’re guessing being PC wasn’t the highest priority in picking a name that describes how many of us ride cyclocross, gravel, singletrack and road and want to do it all on one bike.
A.D.D. stands for…
While some other bike companies have created ultra-niche bikes reportedly designed to only do one thing well, Van Dessel takes the opposite approach in building versatile bikes. We think this approach is more practical for the resource and time-constrained cyclist who enjoys riding a cyclocross bike year ’round.
Van Dessel also updated its original do-it-all steel WTF bike (that stands for Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, not what you’re thinking) with some sparkle and color in the form of a “high precision” orange and pink glitter finish.
New colors isn’t the only change. The WTF framesets get modernized with thru axles front and rear. The long chainstay (45cm) steel bikes can accept 29er tires and handle technical singletrack, but are said to be at home on gravel, pavement and your local cyclocross race.
Eyeing the 10th Anniversary of SSCXWC? The company touts the ability to run an eccentric bottom bracket in the PF30 shell to get chain tension just right.
Van Dessel’s new 2017 WTF steel bike has been updated with thru axles and bright colors. .
The steel “one bike” category is gaining popularity, with bikes like the recently-updated Kona Sutra LTD also vying for market share in this space, but Van Dessel reminds anyone listening that they’ve been producing adventure bikes like this for as long as anyone.
Stay tuned as we wait in line to throw a leg over both of these new bikes. The A.D.D. bikes are expected in late August, while the updated WTF frames and bikes are available now.
More info: vandesselcycles.com and on Instagram
