I spent 20 hours testing the new Van Rysel RCR-F and it’s better than anything else the brand has produced, but it’s got one big flaw

Burly, stiff, fast, but modern tyre clearances help to some degree over broken roads

Van rysel rcr-f
(Image: © Will Jones)

Cyclingnews Verdict

The Van Rysel RCR-F is a clear step up in performance over the RCR Pro. It's faster, stiffer, and feels a lot more sure-footed, but it needs some tweaks to be enjoyable on anything other than perfect tarmac. Also, the front end is worryingly low, putting it out of reach - quite literally - of many customers.

Pros

  • +

    Undoubtedly very fast

  • +

    Stiffer front end feels far more able to handle sprints

  • +

    Whole package feels higher quality

Cons

  • -

    25c front tyre might be aero but it's uncomfortable

  • -

    Front end so low it's probably very difficult for many to use

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

In brand terms, the rise of Van Rysel from value-oriented own-brand also-ran to a fully fledged performance outfit, outwardly untethered from its Decathlon ownership, has been pretty meteoric. In the last three years, it’s gone from a standing start to sponsoring a WorldTour squad and has just rolled out a second top-end road bike in as many years. 

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Testing scorecard and notes
AttributesNotesRating
Design and aesthetics While it has the hallmarks of a great aero bike, it's let down by having such a low front end as to put it out of reach of most consumers I fear. 7/10
Build105 Di2 is great, the cockpit is excellent, as are the wheels. Having a power meter is also good for racers, though it's not one of the big, trusted brands. 8/10
PerformanceReally very fast indeed, and with a decent set of handling characteristics, but with the stock tyres and the position the front end is harsh and uncomfortable. 8/10
WeightA few hundred grams heavier than the equivalent Aeroad. Not an anchor, but not all that feathery. 7/10
ValuePretty middle of the road when compared to other brands that purport to offer good value to consumers. 8/10
Overall ratingRow 5 - Cell 1 76%
Will Jones
Senior Tech Writer

Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. He’s tried his hand at most cycling disciplines, from the standard mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike, to the more unusual like bike polo and tracklocross. He’s made his own bike frames, covered tech news from the biggest races on the planet, and published countless premium galleries thanks to his excellent photographic eye. Also, given he doesn’t ever ride indoors he’s become a real expert on foul-weather riding gear. His collection of bikes is a real smorgasbord, with everything from vintage-style steel tourers through to superlight flat bar hill climb machines.

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