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I am looking for a 2nd CX (pit) bike.  I love my Cannondale: CAAD9 CX, but am temped to try the Van Dessel: Gin & Trombones as a frame/fork only build.  The geometry is very similar with a 59.5 vs 60cm top tube and a 200mm head tube on both.  I am tall 6'-4".  Any tall riders with a Gin & Trombones review?

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Get another Cannondale.  If you have 2 different bikes one will always be your favorite and thus less useful as a pit bike.  Pit bikes are only good if you can switch from one to another without any notice.

Thanks Eric

I disagree. Life is too short to ride all the bikes I want to, why make it worse by buying the same bike twice? Try something new!
My first bike was a G&T and now I have a custom frame from a local builder.

My limited experience is that the G&T is a fast dry conditions bike. The steep seat tube angle puts your weight over the front wheel and is hard to handle in the deep mud found in most Seattle-area courses. The shift cable routing under the downtube is awkward (and unnecessary if you use a top pull Shimano derailleur).

Positives: the Van Dessel owner is a great guy and very responsive. A year after purchase I needed some canti studs and he shippped them out right away (I think at no charge). It's nice to support a US-based company.

Thanks Geoffrey!

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the G&T as a frame/ fork only (canti brake option for the fork). I will work on building it up for next season.  Maybe the C'dale will go to pit duty.

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