Van Rysel, the Flemish bike brand owned by international sports retailer Decathlon, has introduced its new XCR TRI triathlon bikes.
Co-designed with aerodynamic specialist Swiss Side, according to Van Rysel, the XCR range has been… ‘designed to offer the lowest resistance to forward movement, making it one of the fastest triathlon and time trial bikes currently available on the market.
‘The XCR is the product of 36 months of meticulous development and enhancement, from early spring 2021 to October 2024, involving 14 prototypes and numerous iterations to refine every aspect of the bike’s performance. Each frame consists of 486 carbon parts, reflecting the precision engineering and attention to detail that went into every inch of the bike.’
Earlier this year, the XCR UCI time-trial bike was launched, and has already performed at the highest level, achieving gold medals with Ben O’Connor at the UCI World Championships in the team time trial mixed relay and Bruno Armirail at the French National Time Trial Championships.
All of Van Rysel’s XCR bike models have been designed in collaboration with Swiss Side, which was founded in 2014 by former Head of Concept design at Formula 1 team Sauber, Jean-Paul Ballard.
Undertaking wind tunnel testing in conjunction with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team TT specialist riders Bruno Armirail, Clément Berthet and Felix Gall, Van Rysel notes that the XCR has been designed to produce a competitive edge via aerodynamics.
The XCR TRI Ultegra Di2 frame is made of high-modulus carbon fibre, with a weight of 1490g for the frame and 490g for the fork in a size M.
On-bike position is key to performance; and in Van Rysel’s development of performance time trial and triathlon bikes, the team realised adjustability is key to achieving the perfect position. With this in mind, the new XCR TRI Ultegra Di2 and XCR TRI Rival AXS models are equipped with a Van Rysel cockpit that allows for a multitude of adjustments. For time trial, the XCR UCI is equipped with Deda Jet One extensions, allowing athletes to achieve the best possible position whilst remaining within UCI regulations.
Denis Chevrot, a double European IRONMAN Champion, has also played a pivotal role in Van Rysel’s development of the XCR TRI.
Another key feature of the XCR TRI Ultegra Di2 is the toolbox that stores a multi-tool, innertube and tyre levers, for any mechanical issues whilst out on the road. As well as this, a bento box and trash box have been fixed to the top tube, allowing the athlete to store all the nutrition they need for up to six hours of riding and allowing them to dispose of any waste, all whilst remaining in an aerodynamic position.
Lastly, when it comes to hydration, bottles can be attached to both the cockpit and behind the saddle. Van Rysel adds that all of these features have been added with no overall impact on the aerodynamics of the bike, ensuring the athlete is well equipped and comfortable, all whilst being as aerodynamic as possible.
Jeremie Debeuf, Van Rysel’s Head of Product, said “We are incredibly proud to introduce the all new Van Rysel XCR TRI.
“With the new triathlon bikes, our goal was to push the limits of both aerodynamics and comfort, creating a bike that delivers unparalleled performance for elite athletes and serious competitors. We’ve designed the frame to be one of the fastest models available, without compromising rider comfort.
“From the highly adjustable cockpit to the integrated storage solutions, every detail has been engineered to meet the demands of modern triathletes and time trialists. This bike is a veritable calling card, encapsulating the philosophy, expertise and soul of the Van Rysel brand.”
The Van Rysel XCR TRI Ultegra Di2 and XCR TRI Rival AXS are now available to purchase in Europe (excluding UK), with delivery scheduled for early 2025. Both XCR TRI bikes will be available globally (including UK) from 2025.
Van Rysel XCR TRI Ultegra Di2
- High-modulus carbon fibre frame
- VAN RYSEL XCR base bar with VAN RYSEL Adjustable cockpit
- SwissSide Hadron Ultimate 625/625 wheels
- Michelin Power Cup tyres
- Accessories: Bento box, trash box, Aeris bottle carrier, front bottle cage support BTA, toolbox equipped with repair kit (inner tube, CO2 inflator + cartridge, valve extender, tyre lever)
- Inpeak power metre (left side)
- Weight size M: 8.9 Kg (without accessories)
- Price: €7,700
Van Rysel XCR TRI Rival AXS
- High-modulus carbon fibre frame
- VAN RYSEL XCR base bar with VAN RYSEL Adjustable cockpit
- Fulcrum Wind 550/750 wheels
- Michelin Power Cup tyres
- Accessories: Bento box, trash box, Aeris bottle carrier, front bottle cage support BTA
- Sram Rival Powermeter (left side)
- Weight size M: 9.65 Kg (without accessories)
- Price: €6,200
