The Van Rysel efficiency bike model of massive field retailer Decathlon is about to get a brand new carbon FCR aero highway bike. We noticed a number of riders of AG2R La Mondiale racing the next-gen Van Rysel FCR at Le Tour de France. Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at what the brand new bike seems to be like and the way it compares to the model’s present RCR race bike…
Van Rysel FCR prototype carbon aero highway race bike
It’s the primary 12 months of Van Rysel bikes on the highway World Tour with the sponsorship of the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Staff. And whereas Decathlon already had an inexpensive do-it-all light-weight carbon highway race bike with aero options of their RCR, it’s not fairly on par with the newest aerodynamic tendencies. So enter the Van Rysel FCR, designed in Flanders at Decathlon’s huge Lille, France HQ and bike meeting facility.
What’s new?
The large variations between the present RCR and this new FCR prototype are after all the aerodynamic optimizations. We don’t have any concrete particulars about aero enchancment claims, however these grey & black camouflaged bikes characteristic far more dramatic aero tube shaping in comparison with their gentle all-rounder highway bike.
The Van Rysel FCR prototype fork options deeper tapered legs, and a crown that easily transitions right into a horizontal rib on the prime of the downtube.
From the aspect, the downtube itself, seattube (with new rear wheel cutout), and seatstays are all slim, deep airfoil shapes. And the headtube can be extremely deep, possibly 3x as deep because the outdated bike.
Out again, the prototype Van Rysel FCR aero highway bike incorporates a lengthy & slim proprietary aero seatpost – now a bit deeper even than the RCR. And an inside wedge clamps the seatpost in place, accessed from the highest, below the small rubber cowl.
The seatstays are narrower from the entrance, deeper in profile, and truly look to be set a bit nearer to the rear wheel in comparison with the present highway bike – though nonetheless with the same dropped place and flat prime.
From the entrance there additionally seems to be extra clearance across the entrance tire – whether or not that’s to permit for smoother airflow or simply to suit bigger trendy tires.
Aero ending package
The AG2R prototype Van Rysel FCR aero bikes are also the primary we noticed in competitors to make use of the brand new “quickest ever” Continental x Swiss Aspect x DT Swiss Aero 111 aerodynamic entrance tire.
The prototype bikes have been additionally fitted with what’s labeled as a one-piece Deda handlebar cockpit.
The rounded entrance profile, step-down for clear bar tape ending, easy out-font GPS mount, and recessed prime cap mount seem like the newest Alanera RS. However the cockpit’s stem appears to be lacking the signature ridge throughout its prime or the angular aspect shaping of the Alanera RS, suggesting this can be an unreleased Deda bar, or a 1-piece cockpit that may include Van Rysel branding.
Additionally, the AGR workforce has additional modified the cockpit with an prolonged prime cap, matching steerer spacers, and the ensuing lengthy aero-shaped higher headset cowl. After all, all of the cables on the bike are routed absolutely internally, and possibly that additional stem actual property make it simpler to route the whole lot into the body?
Van Rysel FCR prototype – Availability timeline
Formally, this Van Rysel FCR aero highway bike nonetheless a prototype in accordance with the UCI approval stickers on the race bikes we noticed at le Tour.
However whereas that doesn’t affirm a concrete timeline, it does imply that Van Rysel did have to verify that the bike was in its ultimate phases of growth they usually dedicated within the UCI software to make the FCR accessible to the general public throughout the subsequent 12 months.
Our guess is that they’ll wish to have the brand new bike in Decathlon shops by the top of subsequent winter. And it seems to be like it’s going to be a part of the all-rounder RCR as a extra devoted aero choice from Van Rysel.
Decathlon.com
