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This comes as a surprise! A newcomer was the fastest road bike in the 2023 TOUR test. The RCR Dura-Ace Di2 from Van Rysel achieved an aero performance of 207 watts in the GST wind tunnel in Immenstaad. More precisely, 206.6 watts at a speed of 45 km/h. This put the future workhorse of the World Tour team Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale really wafer-thin before the Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod 2 and Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race both of which were a tenth of a second slower.
Van Rysel RCR Dura-Ace Di2: Exclusive prototype in TOUR test
The RCR defines itself as an ultra-modern competition bike that aims to achieve a symbiosis of speed, lightweight construction and comfort in the style of an all-rounder. Sounds exciting, we thought in the summer, and were the first trade magazine in the world to test the bike in a wind tunnel, laboratory and in the wild. At the time of testing, the RCR was still so new that Van Rysel was only able to send a prototype from Lille to Germany. However, apart from the finish, it was exactly the same as the version that is due to hit the shops next year. Van Rysel, one of Decathlon's own brands, has been taking pre-orders for other equipment variants since autumn.
The top model has hardly any weaknesses worth mentioning and will outshine some established manufacturers in the core disciplines. With a total weight of 6.9 kilograms and an aero performance of 207 watts, the RCR sets a new benchmark in the race all-rounder category. No other model has ever been faster and lighter in the GST wind tunnel than the Van Rysel, which is also among the top ten of the fastest bikes in the TOUR test jumped. The new Specialised S-Works Tarmac SL8 is almost 300 grams lighter, but the rider needs two watts more to overcome the air resistance of the racer. The above Cannondale and Cube are up to 800 grams heavier.
On the scales, the RCR benefits not only from the lightweight frame set manufactured in Vietnam, but also from the high-quality equipment. In terms of aero performance, the cooperation with the French aerospace authority has borne fruit, with tube shapes and add-on parts being optimised in their wind tunnel in Lille and - measured against flat aero models - resulting in a restrained design. The most striking feature is the extremely narrow one-piece cockpit, which is just over the permitted UCI minimum width of 350 millimetres and offers little surface area for the wind to attack.
Van Rysel RCR Dura-Ace Di2: Within reach of top material
On the road, the new model is correspondingly agile and masters the various riding situations as if it had never done anything else. However, there are two small drawbacks: due to the lightweight construction, the suspension is not super stable - less of a problem for emaciated professionals than for heavier riders. In addition, the seat post is relatively unyielding. The Van Rysel therefore loses two tenths of a point in the overall rating and finishes just behind the best professional bikes: the Specialised S-Works Tarmac SL8 (1,3), Canyon Aeroad CFR Disc MVDP (1,4), Giant Propel Advanced SL (1.4) and Scott Foil RC Ultimate (1,4).
We brought a lot of people into cycling, but once they reached a certain level, they moved on to other brands. With Van Rysel, we want to keep people with us. - Head of Marketing Maxime Delabre
With the RCR, Decathlon's own brand is also heralding a turning point in its pricing policy and is pushing its own claim to be perceived as a sporty, ambitious brand in a competitive market. "We got a lot of people into cycling, but once they reached a certain level, they moved on to other brands," says Head of Marketing Maxime Delabre: "We want to keep people with us with Van Rysel."
The tested RCR with electronic Dura-Ace, Swiss-Side wheels and a printed saddle from Fizik will be available from next year for 9000 euros. At the end of the year, five equipment variants between 4199 and 8499 euros were available for pre-order on the Decathlon website.
Van Rysel RCR Dura-Ace Di2 at a glance
- TOUR grade: 1,6
- Price: 9000 Euro
- Weight: 6.9 kilogrammes
- Info: www.decathlon.com
Weights & geometry
- Frame/fork/steering bearing weight: 911/384/51 grammes
- Frame sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL (test size greased)
- Seat/top/head tube: 485/555/149 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 562/380 millimetres/1.48
- Wheelbase/caster: 990/58 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace (160/160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights): Swiss Side Hadron 500/Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR 25 mm (f./h.: 1150/1540 g)
Measured values & individual scores
- Weight of complete wheel: 6.9 kilos | Grade: 1.7
- Steering head stiffness: 87 Nm/° | Note: 2.0
- Lateral stiffness fork: 50 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
- Bottom bracket stiffness: 52 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
- Seatpost spring stiffness: 212 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
- Aerodynamics: 207 watts | Grade: 1.3
Best of Test 2023: The best road bikes of the year by individual category
Julian Schultz
Editor
