Van Dessel is no stranger to unveiling new cyclocross and gravel bikes, often at Las Vegas-based shows like Interbike. However, this morning, the New Jersey-based brand ventured into new territory, launching a new mixed terrain bike at the massive Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Founder Edwin Bull, together with Japanese electronics giant Panasonic, unveiled his latest offering: The Passepartout Gravel E-Bike.
The new Van Dessel Passepartout Gravel E-bike. 2019 CES Show.
The Passepartout isn’t the first gravel e-bike we’ve seen, and it won’t be the last. Companies like Bulls and Raleigh have released e-bike versions of their gravel bikes with the Grinder EVO and Tamland IE. Love e-bikes or hate them, they’re here to stay. Van Dessel’s pitch is that with the option of pedal assist, those of us without 100-mile legs might be able to enjoy more hours of exploration on the roads less traveled.
Although complete details are not yet available, the Passepartout looks to use Panasonic’s GX0 Center Unit System Power Unit Motor. Two options are available, featuring SRAM Rival 1 at $5499, and SRAM Force 1 at $6499. Both feature standard thru-axles, SRAM hydraulic brakes, a tall (for human-powered bikes) 46 x 10-42 single ring drivetrain, and 700c and 650b wheel compatibility.
Edwin Bull presents the Van Dessel Passepartout gravel e-bike at the Panasonic Media Conference at 2019 CES.
Compared to its Full Tilt Boogie and A.D.D. bikes, the Passepartout stands a bit higher and longer.
VanDessel’s Passepartout gravel e-bike geometry and specs.
For better or worse, the alloy Passepartout won’t fool others into thinking a superhuman just pedaled by. The mid-placed motor and visible battery should giveaway the bike’s pedal assist properties, unlike the stealth Bianchi Aria e-bike we spotted at Interbike.
It’s the second gravel splash Van Dessel has made in the last month. In December, the company announced it would be supplying bikes to the new Floyd’s Pro Cycling team, including gravel bikes, for the offroad events on its calendar.
With the launch of the Passepartout, Van Dessel is also releasing a full suspension mountain e-bike called Captain Shred. It has a bit more of a stealth look:
The new Van Dessel Captain Shred E-MTB and Passepartout Gravel E-bike. 2019 CES Show.
Both are featured in its hype video below:
More info: vandesselcycles.com
