The arrival of Van Rysel into the secure of WorldTour bikes has considerably upset the apple cart. The model is a part of the multi-sport Decathlon empire, and so has a popularity for worth. Given that is the primary time the model has appeared within the higher echelons of our sport it’s really probably that ‘worth’ will be the solely factor you consider whenever you see the model title. Worth is usually a phrase that goes hand in hand with compromise, with merchandise (not simply bikes) made to hit a sure worth level.
The Van Rysel model as a complete has been attempting to steer a bit of away from the worth angle too, and the RSR is squarely aimed on the greatest street bikes phase, slightly than a value-based comfort prize.
As with every bike I check although I’ve tried to stay neutral. I’ve been smashing about on the Rival-equipped RCR for a few months now, taking in internal metropolis loops and again lane blasts. Neutral as I’m, I’d be mendacity if I mentioned I did not should park some preconceptions. Preconceptions which, I’m happy to report, the RCR has challenged.
It’s a bike clearly benefiting from the trickle-down of tech from its extra premium sibling, the RCR Professional, and whereas the Professional is in additional rarified firm, the £3,500-5000 phase of the market is considerably extra aggressive. How does it stack up? Let’s discover out.
Design and aesthetics
Like I did, park any preconceived notions of the model and take a look on the RCR. It is a handsome bike, proper? Slap any premium bike model brand on the downtube and also you wouldn’t bat a watch. Whereas this model, the spec of which I’ll get into shortly, is available in three color choices I feel this white with black accents is the best of the bunch. Blue is cool too, and I’ve little doubt that the all-black possibility will most likely promote within the greatest numbers, however when it comes to professional emulation you’ll be able to’t beat white.
In the event you’re going to purchase a carbon bike you need to be capable of see some carbon someplace, so the highest of the highest tube is clearcoated uncooked carbon slightly than black paint. It catches the sunshine and is harking back to the Cannondale SuperSix Evo.
Geometrically it additionally mirrors the SuperSix fairly carefully. Van Rysel was fairly upfront about the truth that it bought certainly one of every of the WorldTour bikes as a way to develop the RCR Professional, and having overlain the geometry of a swathe of the peloton’s bikes over the RCR the one that’s the closest match is the SuperSix. As we’ll get into, that is borne out within the experience traits too.
Clearly that is designed to be a do-it-all racer, although now we have noticed a brand new race bike from Van Rysel that’s an all-out aero machine. Its racy ambitions are mirrored within the spec, too. The Sram Rival groupset comes geared up with an influence meter, and the wheels are carbon Zipp 303s mated to Michelin Energy Cup tyres. Each are budget-friendly choices, however they present greatest how this bike has been specced. Sensibly, purposefully, however undoubtedly with a watch on the RRP. The tyres are my favorite finances street tyres, they are often acquired cheaply and punch effectively above their weight.
One spec selection that I each like and do not like on the similar time is the cockpit. Whereas the likes of Canyon would spec an built-in cockpit, right here not less than there’s a separate bar and stem from Deda within the from of the Superzero bar and a Van Rysel branded Deda Superbox stem. The cables aren’t absolutely built-in, although they do undergo the bars that means if you wish to swap the bars you continue to must disconnect and reassemble the brake traces.
Bizarrely for a 55cm bike, the bars are listed as a whopping 44cm large. Deda does measure outdoors to outdoors slightly than centre to centre, however even realising these are 42cm bars does little to alleviate the very fact they’re very large, each for contemporary race bike tendencies and only for a motorcycle of this measurement. It’s wattage left on the desk, and my assumption is that wider bars have been most likely cheaper to purchase wholesale attributable to decrease demand.
Picture 1 of 4
Efficiency
The Van Rysel RCR feels each bit the race bike. It doesn’t really feel prefer it’s coming from a traditionally budget-focussed model, and it’s depraved quick. As you would possibly anticipate from the geometry charts it feels just like the Cannondale SuperSix, which is excessive reward certainly. My check bike was a bit of smaller than the SuperSix I examined in Girona, so the dealing with was a bit of extra snappy because of a shorter wheelbase, however on the entire, it’s a really balanced providing.
The entrance finish is full of life, and for me, the actual hallmark of dealing with high quality isn’t a lot how arduous you’ll be able to nook however how readily you’ll be able to change line whereas cornering arduous. Right here it’s a breeze, that means you’ll be able to decide your line after which if the temper takes you lean in even tougher. That is aided by an incredible set of tyres, my favorite finances tyres because it occurs. The Michelin Energy Cup is a set I fortunately run by myself bikes regardless of their fairly low worth, and whereas tyres are sometimes a spot the place bikes are specced down (the Pinarello F7 is a transparent instance of this), it is a nice selection right here.
With none arduous aero information, I can’t be really goal, however my common speeds on recognized loops have been actually quicker than they’ve been lately. It’s hardly a scientific check, however it’s a quick bike. It’d be loads quicker with some appropriately sized bars although, as even with the hoods turned illegally inwards I struggled to get right into a place my slender shoulders have been proud of, and sometimes time the B52-esque wingspan was an annoyance. It’s a comparatively straightforward swap because of using a traditional stem, however nonetheless… too large.
The inclusion of an influence meter is nice if that’s your cup of tea. It isn’t mine, however in order for you a totally kitted-out race bike then it’s a wise inclusion that paired simply with my Wahoo and appeared to work fairly flawlessly. Within the ‘Worth’ part I’ll get into why it will not be the most effective inclusion, however you’ll have to attend a bit for that.
Whereas it handles effectively, and was fairly comfy, the street suggestions was a bit of mushy feeling. Somewhat muted. I’ve a sense that is extra to do with the tyres than anything, arrange as they have been with butyl internal tubes, and I’m assured becoming a extra premium, tubeless set will alleviate this considerably. Or altering out to latex internal tubes which I discovered offered a snappier experience really feel. That is compounded barely by the Rival groupset. It labored flawlessly, however the shifting, particularly for the entrance derailleur, isn’t as crisp as Shimano 105, although this may after all enhance the RRP.
An 8.5kg weight (with cages and pedals) is aggressive sufficient for an all-rounder at this worth, and mixed with a comparatively stiff backside bracket it climbs effectively. The inline seatpost has extra stickup than comparable bikes of this measurement, and whereas that equates to extra consolation the clamp did slip and was susceptible to creaking, requiring a bit of extra torque than suggested.
Picture 1 of 3
Worth
That is the place I anticipated the RCR to excel, and whereas I feel it’s fairly good worth for the worth I don’t suppose it’s market-leading. The RRP is £4,500, and for that, you get Sram Rival with an influence meter, carbon wheels, and respectable however finances tyres. The Canyon Final in an identical spec, however with alloy wheels, is £3,450, so you possibly can simply spend a few of the change on a fancy set of wheels, promote the alloy ones and are available in a couple of hundred kilos underneath the RCR worth.
Likewise, the new Canyon Aeroad is available in a spec with Rival, carbon DTSwiss wheels, and Continental GP5000 S TR tyres for £3,949. It doesn’t include an influence meter, however once more you possibly can purchase a power-equipped Rival crankset, promote the inventory one and are available in noticeably underneath the Van Rysel.
So good, however not unimaginable, worth. The RCR Professional continues to be the most cost effective WorldTour bike on the market, however that worth proposition has but to trickle down into the extra aggressive space of the market.
It is value noting that when you have been to purchase this bike in Europe the worth is €4,200, which is roughly £3,500. This swing of £1,000 is fairly drastic, and whereas I do not suppose it is a resolution for everybody however you possibly can e-book a vacation to France, pay for a ferry and an extended weekend in a pleasant B&B, decide the bike up, and nonetheless have it are available in cheaper than shopping for it from the UK.
Verdict
A fantastic dealing with and handsome bike that belies the model’s finances roots. Whereas the tyres are good it’s most likely value swapping to posher ones after they run out to get a barely higher street really feel, particularly arrange tubeless. Likewise, the bars are one thing I’d be very quick to swap given their width. A superb bike that justifies its newfound place amongst the massive gamers effectively, although maybe falls in need of the worth rating that its extra premium mannequin, the RCR Professional, teases for the entire vary.
| Attributes | Notes | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Design and aesthetics | A beautiful, and noticeably premium aesthetic from the finances model, with sorted geometry as well | 8/10 |
| Construct | Every thing is fairly sound, excluding very large bars. As finances tyres go these are the most effective you are going to discover. Some seatpost slippage although. | 7/10 |
| Efficiency | Quick, full of life, with dealing with that mirrors that of the Cannondale SuperSix, which is excessive reward | 9/10 |
| Weight | Aggressive, however not class main | 8/10 |
| Worth | Sadly not nearly as good worth because the model title would recommend, although it is nonetheless respectable on this regard. Significantly better worth in Europe. | 8/10 |
| General ranking | Row 5 – Cell 1 | 80% |
