Born in the heart of Flanders, the Van Rysel brand designs bicycles for the most demanding cyclists seeking maximum performance in mind. They work closely with the professional peloton, which demands a very high level of performance. However, this same factor allows them to create bicycles with outstanding performance.
At the brand’s headquarters in Lille (France), they have been working on a promising project for some time now. Improving the unbeatable? Perhaps the goal was ambitious, but, as they say, nothing is impossible. The French brand’s engineering team set the goal of creating the perfect bike for high-speed, smooth racing based on their current RCR model, and that’s when the RCR-F was born.
A clear goal: to be the fastest
The work and hours invested in the wind tunnel to develop this new bike are countless. But, considering that they were starting from a great bike like the Van Rysel RCR to make an even better one, it was a challenge that was far from easy to achieve.
They analyzed different race profiles and worked based on many variables: elevation gain, wind, race speed, rider role, weight, and power. Once they had the results, they concluded that there was room for improvement in designing a faster bike. The engineers dreamed of pushing the limits of aerodynamics and stiffness for high-speed racing and began shaping the bike we know today.
According to Van Rysel, they saved 13.6 watts compared to the RCR at a 45 km/h speed. This is a substantial improvement considering the numbers currently being obtained in the World Tour. It’s an ideal bike for one-day classics with little elevation gain, flat stages with a sprint finish, or even mid-mountain stages without significant climbs.
Into the details
The team carefully considered every phase of the bicycle design process to achieve the best balance between aerodynamics, stiffness, and weight. Part of this work has been based on CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) studies, which allow for digital simulations to analyze, visualize, and optimize air friction against an object. Thanks to this, they have made all the necessary adjustments to achieve aerodynamic gains in many elements of both the fork and the frame.
Carbon construction has played a key role in achieving an exceptionally low weight (7.7 kg in a size M for its highest-end build) without compromising the bike’s overall stiffness. Engineers can reinforce specific frame areas by strategically orienting the fibers for maximum stiffness and strength. All components have been made as light as possible in terms of weight and prioritized aerodynamics, ensuring their reliability and durability.
The handlebar is one of the most essential parts of this puzzle, and that’s why Van Rysel engineers decided, in collaboration with Deda, to design one that would meet all the aerodynamic and ergonomic requirements. They conducted extensive testing until they came up with the final model. Thanks to the specially designed drops (Ergodrops), it’s faster, more comfortable, and maximizes grip. This improvement also helps position the wrists to minimize the rider’s frontal surface area and perfect their position against the wind.
Moving on to the wheels, they decided to turn to Swiss Side, undoubtedly one of the leading aerodynamic brands in the cycling world. Together, they worked to find the best and most optimal option for the RCR-F. After several wind tunnel tests, they chose the HADRON² 625 model. Regarding tire clearance, the bike allows you to use up to 33 mm tires.
Lastly, the paint design also lit the bike’s overall weight. They offer a first option that combines exposed carbon with a painted part of the bike. For those looking for the lightest version of this bike, the brand offers a full raw carbon option that doesn’t use paint at all. This option allows the carbon of the entire bike to be seen while reducing its weight by about 30-60 grams, depending on the size.
Riding the RCR-F
If you’re not a regular user of an aerodynamic bike, every time you ride one, you can quickly notice the acceleration and smooth ride that characterize it. In the case of the RCR-F, it goes even further.
But let’s start from the beginning. The bike’s geometry and how it was designed with the best position in mind for the rider to be as aerodynamic as possible while also doing so without compromising comfort is a pure success. We felt very comfortable riding it, especially with the handlebars they designed. It doesn’t matter if you’re riding while holding onto the drops or riding with your hands on the hoods, resting your forearms on the top of the handlebar. The result they achieved in collaboration with Deda is truly excellent.
Another notable aspect of the RCR-F is its stiffness. The way the power from our legs is transmitted to the bike is instantaneous, and you never feel like you’re losing watts along the way. We tested it on favorable, flat, and small climbs, and the frame’s responsiveness is just as the Van Rysel team describes it. At the same time, the bike handles exceptionally well downhill and provides extra safety while riding at high speeds.
Beyond the numbers, as for aerodynamics, it’s clear that this is a bike in which many hours have been invested to improve the Van Rysel RCR. Every detail of the frameset has a specific design and purpose: to achieve minimal air resistance without sacrificing rigidity, strength, and lightness.
Finally, the RCR-F we tested was a size S (measuring 175 cm) and came equipped with Shimano 105 Di2 and the Polish brand Inpeak’s power meter. As for the design, we had the pleasure of riding the model with a gray paint job on the front and raw carbon fiber on the rest. It was a real spectacle to see carbon in sunny conditions.
