Defy the Wind with the Van Rysel RCR-F: The Fastest Bike in the World Tour Peloton

Born in the heart of the Flemish Classics and engineered for peak performance – meet the Van Rysel RCR-F. Van Rysel has repeatedly proven it knows how to create bikes capable of keeping pace with the very best. Following the success of the RCR – a model that excels both in the mountains and during stage races – the brand now introduces a new bike, purpose-built for flat races, high speeds, and explosive sprint finishes: the Van Rysel RCR-F.

This bike isn’t just a variation of the RCR – it’s a whole new archetype, designed for fast courses where aerodynamics, stiffness, and every single watt of power matter.

Why Was the RCR-F Created?

Our engineers re-evaluated the RCR in the wind tunnel, reaffirming its position among the market’s best. As a result, the RCR became the benchmark for future development. With careful analysis of the latest innovations in professional cycling, a clear goal emerged: to design the fastest aero bike in the peloton.

Van Rysel’s engineers studied dozens of WorldTour race profiles – from the cobbles of the Flemish Classics to flat stages ending in bunch sprints. They simulated variables such as elevation gain, wind strength, rider positioning, speed, and power output. The conclusion? In races with under 1,500 m of elevation per 100 km, average speeds over 35 km/h, and climbs no steeper than 5%, a new favourite emerges – the RCR-F.

The RCR-F by the Numbers:

• 13.6 watts saved over the RCR at 45 km/h in wind tunnel testing.

• 20.1 watts saved at 55 km/h under real race conditions.

• On a standard 268 km course with 2,250 m of elevation and an average speed of 41.6 km/h, the RCR-F saves over 1 minute 30 seconds compared to the RCR – at the same power output.

Every Detail in the Service of Speed

At its core lies an aerodynamically optimised frame developed in collaboration with Swiss Side, a team that brought Formula 1 expertise into cycling. Every millimetre and contour was refined through CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations, wind tunnel testing, and race validation. Key aerodynamic gains over the RCR at 45 km/h include:

• 4.4 W saved at the head tube

• 2.7 W at the cockpit

• 1.7 W at the downtube

• 1.2 W at the fork

The cockpit? A feat of engineering developed in partnership with Italian brand Deda – stiff, ergonomic, and shaped to save watts while easing the strain on hands during sprints. Van Rysel’s engineers tested over 10 different configurations before finalising the design through CFD simulations and wind tunnel trials. Its curved shape alone contributes a saving of 2.7 watts compared to the RCR (tested at 45 km/h), providing a significant aerodynamic edge. The newly developed Ergodrops – shaped inserts on the underside of the handlebars – offer riders optimal grip even under full effort.

Carbon, Stiffness, Power Transfer

The RCR-F is crafted from a high-performance blend of 40T and 60T carbon fibres, strategically layered to balance stiffness and weight. The result is a frame that delivers every watt exactly where it counts – perfect for acceleration, sprinting, and pulling at the front of the peloton.

Compared to the RCR, the RCR-F is 7% stiffer in the front triangle, making it the ultimate weapon for speed specialists.

Weight – Counted to the Gram

Despite its aero profile, the RCR-F remains lightweight. Every additional gram has been meticulously assessed. For example:

• The seatpost clamp was lightened by 20 grams without compromising stiffness.

• The derailleur hanger was optimised, saving 9 grams.

• Titanium bolts were used in select areas, trimming off another 8 grams.
  Together, these changes reduced frame weight by 37 grams, equating to a 3.5% reduction in overall frame weight (size M).

Design

The RCR-F doesn’t aim to impress with flashy graphics – instead, it embraces the raw aesthetics of carbon. Paint is limited to the front of the frame; the rest is left technically clean. The result is a lower overall weight and a look that says this bike isn’t for show – it’s built to win.

Born to Win

The RCR-F is the product of over two years of development, hundreds of hours of testing, simulation, and race feedback from the pros at Decathlon AG2R–La Mondiale. Every detail – from the carbon layup to wrist position during a sprint – was designed with a single goal in mind: to convert every watt into speed and advantage.

Explore the full Van Rysel RCR-F range on the Decathlon website, and check out the RCR and RCR-F models in person at the Van Rysel stand in the L’Étape village at Strahov.