Fastest bike in the World Tour? The Van Rysel RCR-F Pro in the TOUR test

The RCR-F has already enjoyed racing success in the World Tour. Van Rysel's aero racer has been officially on the market since March. And decorated with a big promise. "It's the best racing bike we've ever developed," announced the sports equipment giant Decathlon's own brand, promising "the fastest bike in the peloton". The self-chosen advance praise for the RCR-F is likely to be based primarily on the French manufacturer's own wind tunnel tests. The aerodynamically optimised Expert saves almost 14 watts compared to the RCR-R, which made its debut two years ago as a race all-rounder and was already remarkably fast in the TOUR test with 207 watts.

Incidentally, the RCR-F is not entirely new. A year ago, we already had the racing machine in front of our lens at the Tour de France. Selected professionals from the Team Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale helped the camouflaged racing car, then known as the FCR model, to make its racing debut. Nine months later, Decathlon's high-end own brand is now offering the racing machine for sale. As with the RCR-R, the aero machine is only available via the online shop.

Before our independent test in the wind tunnel, like Van Rysel's renowned tunnel at the Gesellschaft für Strömungsmesstechnik (GST), a sensation was in the air. Does the RCR-F set a new record for the fastest production bike? Not quite! The unofficial title remains with Storck for the time being. However, with 200 watts, the Franko-Flunder is close to the current record holder, the Aerfast.5 Pro (198 watts). The development department can feel vindicated. After all, no other professional bike is faster in the World Tour that we have blown the wind around the cockpit and frameset so far.

The Canyon Aeroad CFRCervélo S5 or Scott Foil RC Ultimate as the fastest representatives stick closely to the rear wheel of the vertical starter from Van Rysel. The trio ranks just above the 200-watt sound barrier, which only Storck and Simplon have cracked so far. To the new Colnago Y1Rs, Ridley Noah Fast or X-Lab AD9, which also conceptually emphasise aerodynamic performance, we do not yet have our own measured values.

Fast-as-an-arrow wheels from Swiss Side

To make the new bike the fastest in the peloton, the French manufacturer's research department, in cooperation with the aero experts from Swiss Side, first defined the RCR-F's preferred terrain. Factors such as elevation gain, wind and race speed as well as rider weight and performance were taken into account by the engineers in their evaluation. The result: the Bolide should be superior to the RCR-R in many racing situations. The French team cite examples such as one-day classics with few metres of elevation gain, undulating stages with a sprint finish or moderately difficult mountain stages with gradients of up to five percent.

After numerous CFD simulations, which can be described as a virtual wind tunnel, the real GST wind tunnel in Immenstaad was put to the test. The RCR-F was tested both "naked" and with a rider. The advantage of around 14 watts over the RCR-R relates to measurements without bottles and holders at 45 km/h. Our result is based on the established test setup with leg dummy and drinking bottle.

In addition to the flat frame set with a long head tube and seat tube, the lightning-fast wheels from Swiss Side are primarily responsible for the strong aero performance. In combination with the flow-optimised front tyre from Continental, the overall system is four watts faster than with our reference wheelset (Zipp 404, built in 2018), which usually squeezes out a few more watts on many models. Van Rysel adds that the fully integrated cockpit also brings significant advantages. "The centrepiece", according to the French company, saves around three watts compared to the comparatively conventional handlebar/stem unit on the RCR-R.

The new Flare cockpit, which was developed together with the Italian component specialist Deda, is characterised by a very flat upper handlebar and curved stem, among other things. In addition, the inwardly inclined handlebar humps follow the shape of the 12-degree flared lower handlebar, which puts the rider in an aerodynamically favourable position. The distance between the shift/brake levers on the test bike is only 330 millimetres, while the distance at the handlebar ends is 420 millimetres. The upper handlebar measures 370 millimetres. The dimensions of the cockpit depend on the frame size.

Our highlight of the narrow control centre are the so-called Ergodrops: the reinforced, oval-shaped handlebar arch is very easy to grip and sits ergonomically in the hand. The thickening also makes it easier to always find the same position in the lower handlebars. The design was primarily developed for the fast men at Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale around Sam Bennett.

Heavier than the competition

As top values for aerodynamics and weight are mutually exclusive, Van Rysel almost inevitably had to make a compromise in the second core discipline of a competitive racer. Despite high-quality carbon fibres from the Japanese specialist Toray, partial painting of the frameset and weight tuning of the components, the TOUR scales only stop at 7540 grams. Compared to the RCR-R, which is also used on steep mountain stages, the test version with Shimano's Dura-Ace and high aero wheels from Swiss Side is around 600 grams heavier. The fast competition from Scott, Canyon or Storck saves between 250 and 600 grams on the TOUR scales. According to the manufacturer, the Colnago Y1Rs, which superstar Tadej Pogačar has hardly used to date, is on a similar level to the Van Rysel.

The excellent frame rigidity is a major advantage over comparable bikes. Despite the elongated head tube, Van Rysel has managed to create an extremely stable and torsionally stiff platform. In combination with a relatively short wheelbase, the RCR-F rides very directly and steers more agilely around fast bends than bikes from the aero class usually do. The Northern French explain the top marks for front and bottom bracket stiffness with, among other things, a targeted layout plan. Shortcoming of the short wheelbase: The tips of the shoes can touch the front wheel with wide tyres.

Race tuning

It is undisputed that suspension comfort is not the top priority for a fast (professional) bike. The RCR-F also offers an open flank in this discipline, as it is tuned extremely hard on the saddle. The flat aero seat post only yields 3 millimetres under a test load of 80 kilograms, which is a below-average value even in the racing class. The good news is that the supple rear tyre from Continental compensates for the weak point in the design and takes some of the sting out of riding over bumpy surfaces. As the frame and fork are officially approved for tyres up to 32 millimetres wide, the bike could be set up a little more comfortably.

We found at least one point of criticism on our early model: the seatpost clamp on the RCR-F Pro CF Shimano Dura Ace Di2 Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, the official extra-long designation, caused problems. Even when properly tightened, the post has some play under load. This causes the back of the seatpost to rub against the seat tube, which can lead to cracking noises and damage in the long term. It remains to be seen whether Van Rysel will find a solution to this problem.

In the club of A candidates

The final answer, however, is that the new flagship is a lightning-fast companion in many riding situations and skilfully conceals the weaknesses in frame comfort with its enormous speed. With a TOUR rating of 1.9, the RCR-F is one of the best competition bikes in the world. Thanks to the hard-tuned chassis of the first generation, there is still potential to fully fulfil its ambitions as the best Van Rysel in the future. The car currently shares the same rating as the RCR-R.

The test version leads the portfolio, the other models are also equipped with electronic shifting groups from Shimano. A power meter is included in all versions. Equipment with drivetrains from SRAM is to follow. With a price of 9499 euros for the top model, the French manufacturer draws a clear dividing line to the other cycling brands at Decathlon. The cheaper versions cost 5499 euros (105 Di2) or 6499 euros (Ultegra Di2).

The Van Rysel RCR-F Pro in detail

• TOUR grade: 1,9
• Price: 9499 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 7.5 kilos
• Frame sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL (test size greased)

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 488/550/131 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 543/386 millimetres/1.41
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 596/565 millimetres/1.05
• Wheelbase/caster: 985/57 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura-Ace (2x12; 52/36, 11-34 t.) | Shimano Dura-Ace (2x12; 52/36, 11-34 t.) Grade: 1.0
• Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace (160/140 mm) | Grade: 1.0
• Tyres: Continental Aero 111/Grand Prix 5000 S 26/27 mm (eff.: 26 mm/29 mm) | Grade: 1.0
• Impellers: Swiss Side Hadron² Ultimate 625
• Impeller weights: 1221/1628 grammes

Measured values

• Weight of complete wheel: 7540 grammes | Grade: 2.7
• Aerodynamics: 200 Watt | Grade: 1.0
• Driving stability: 9.0 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
• Rear comfort: 322 N/mm | Grade: 5.0
• Comfort front: 105 N/mm | Grade: 3.0
• Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 64 N/mm | Grade: 1.0

Advantages and disadvantages of the Van Rysel RCR-F Pro

• Plus: Top aerodynamics, lightning-fast wheels, ergonomic handlebars, comparatively affordable
• Minus: relatively heavy, hardly any comfort, seat post with play