Tech of the week: Van Rysel releases an aero bike (quelle shock!) plus a superlight carbon crankset from FSA, a protracted prime tube bag from Tailfin and tyre liners from Zefal
Tech of the week: Van Rysel releases an aero bike (quelle shock!) plus a superlight carbon crankset from FSA, a protracted prime tube bag from Tailfin and tyre liners from Zefal
Aero race bikes are fairly the factor as of late. Whereas some producers have chosen to place their eggs in a single basket, making an aerodynamically enhanced race bike that’s used throughout all races and phases by the sponsored professionals, some have opted to tread a extra conventional route, making a devoted machine for the flatter phases, that sits alongside one thing for when the highway factors upwards. Colnago simply introduced the discharge of its first aero bike in years, one which might be utilized by Pogacar and his UAE crew within the season forward. And now now we have Van Rysel following go well with; its RCR-F aero bike will give the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale staff an extra choice to the RCR, which it raced with an excessive amount of success final yr.
One bike? Extra bikes? Who is aware of the reply however my feeling is nice bike racers will win regardless. But it surely’s enjoyable to see the differing approaches nonetheless.
Alongside the brand new Van Rysel machine we take a better have a look at a light-weight carbon crankset, a easy machine for decreasing punctures and a voluminous prime tube bag.
Van Rysel RCR-F
The RCR-F seems to be each bit the trendy aero bike
(Picture credit score: Van Rysel)
Van Rysel made headlines when it launched the WorldTour’s most inexpensive bike, the RCR. The staff, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, then performed its half by racking up 30 victories for the 2024 season. So how do you look to proceed that success in 2025? By releasing one other bike for a begin.
Deep tubes prevail on the brand new RCR-F
(Picture credit score: Van Rysel)
The RCR-F (quick?) is Van Rysel’s devoted aero bike. It truly made its debut at this yr’s Tour de France however will get a full launch for the season forward. Particulars are scant, with Van Rysel saying solely that it’s a “highly effective machine that can propel traditional riders and sprinters to an unprecedented degree,” in addition to being “designed to slice via the air with pace”.
The upcoming Tour Down Beneath ought to see the RCR-F formally unveiled with slightly extra fanfare. Nonetheless, it will likely be through the early Classics races and one-day occasions in Europe the place it’ll actually be put via its paces. Van Rysel are clearly joyful it has created a motorcycle match for function. Now all of the the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale riders must do is sustain their finish of the discount.
Zefal Z Liner
Roadies can use the Z Liner tape because of the inclusion of a 19mm large measurement
(Picture credit score: Zefal)
I’d hazard a guess that the majority cyclists worry winter using not due to the chilly and the moist – there are garments and mudguards for that, in any case – however fairly the considered getting a puncture. Altering a tube, roadside, with numb palms and a stream of uncaring motorists for an viewers is grim stuff certainly. Which could simply make Zefal’s new Z Liner one of the best stocking filler you may obtain this Christmas.
The 27mm width tape will accommodate wider rims
(Picture credit score: Zefal)
Supplied in a variety of widths for highway, gravel and mtb tyres, it is a strip of protecting tape comprised of what Zefal calls a ‘extremely resistant polyurethane materials’, designed so as to add a layer of further safety. Sitting between the internal tube and tyre, it provides about 200 grams to every wheel. Nonetheless, throughout winter, when a bibs and braces method is advisable, it’s a small value to pay, ought to it work as marketed.
FSA SL-Ok Gentle crankset
Hole carbon crank arms make for an exceptionally mild chainset
(Picture credit score: FSA)
Because the title suggests, the FSA SL-Ok Gentle crankset is concentrated largely on weight, or lack thereof. It succeeds on the scales thanks largely to the hole UD carbon crank arms, which FSA says additionally supply ‘distinctive stiffness’.
(Picture credit score: FSA)
Elsewhere the direct mount, cold-forged alloy chainrings use the model’s Megatorq expertise, a tooth profile design that goals to cut back dropped chains even when beneath excessive load, whereas guaranteeing clean shifting always; FSA says this new tech has improved chain retention by 45% in comparison with the earlier mannequin. When you’re sceptical of numbers comparable to these, the SL-Ok Gentle crankset has not solely been examined within the lab but in addition by FSA’s professional staff companions, which embody EF Schooling and Uno-X.
Out there in 4 sizes – 50/34T, 52/36T, 53/39T, and 54/40T – they’re suitable with all 12-speed Shimano and FSA drivechains, in addition to a variety of framesets, thanks, FSA says, to the modern lockring on the left crank arm, which permits for minute changes.
Tailfin Lengthy Prime Tube Bag
For added stability the Lengthy Prime Tube bag makes use of Tailfin’s V-mounts
(Picture credit score: Tailfin)
I’m all in favour of merchandise with self-explanatory names, such because the Tailfin Lengthy Prime Tube Bag.
Consider a typical bar bag you may use for bikepacking. Merge it with a ‘bento’ field that sits on the highest tube and also you get the image. Tailfin says the Lengthy Prime Tube Bag “affords class-leading stability, considerably elevated storage capability, and intelligent organisational options.”
Tailfin affords the bag in three sizes to keep away from to knee rub, together with the 1.6L model proven right here
(Picture credit score: Tailfin)
To attain this it depends on the identical V-mounts used on its different luggage; this design negates the necessity for any stabilising straps. Then there are carbon stablising struts that assist the structural integrity of the bag, customisable organisation choices because of the divider, and double entry zips, that are additionally waterproof.
It’s supplied in three sizes – 1.6L, 2.2L, and three.0L – with the primary two suited to highway and gravel frames, the place knee rub might be a problem with some luggage, whereas the most important quantity bag is best suited to mtbs, because of their wider Q-factor.
The claimed weights are surprisingly mild – 206g, 250g and 265g repsectively – given the measurement of the baggage, which vary between 370mm and 500mm in size, and the sturdy ripstop materials.
