We put the new Van Rysel RCR-G and EDR-G gravel bikes to the test. Is the €6,600 Race spec worth it, or is the entry-level model all you need?
Price tags tell one story; the trail tells another. With the launch of the carbon RCR-G and EDR-G, Van Rysel—Decathlon’s performance arm—is taking direct aim at the gravel establishment. Beyond the eye-watering value, how do these machines actually perform when the tarmac ends?
We pushed both frames to their limits across mixed terrain—from broken asphalt and fast singletrack to rocky, technical descents—to see whether you should spend big for pure speed or keep it simple for pure adventure.
Van Rysel RCR-G Red AXS (Score: 3.5/5): A €6,599 Speed Weapon That Forgives No Mistakes
The RCR-G Red AXS is bound to divide opinion. At €6,599, it comes fully loaded with a complete 13-speed SRAM RED XPLR AXS groupset (power meter included) and VR50 carbon wheels laced to DT Swiss 370 hubs. To get a matching build from Specialized or Giant, you would easily need double the budget.
Price / Specification Comparison (SRAM Red XPLR 13s)
MSRP (€)
€14,000 Specialized S-Works Crux
€12,000 Giant Revolt Advanced SL 0
€6,599 Van Rysel RCR-G Red AXS
The Ride: Power Transfer and Outright Speed
Weighing in at a real-world 8.28 kg (Size L), the RCR-G feels like a road race bike in disguise. The geometry means business: low Stack (573 mm), long Reach (400 mm), and ultra-short 426 mm chainstays. On hardpack and climbs, every watt translates directly into instant acceleration. It’s stiff, fast, and relentlessly efficient.
Where Things Get Harsh
That single-minded focus on speed comes at a cost as soon as the terrain gets rough:
Harsh Vertical Compliance: The high-modulus carbon frame is unapologetically rigid. Over chatter, roots, and rocks, trail feedback travels straight into your shoulders, tiring out your arms and wrists on longer efforts.
Road Cockpit Limits Control: The 40 cm carbon integrated handlebar is taken directly from the RCR-R road bike. Lacking any gravel flare, it restricts leverage on technical descents and leaves your wrists bumping against the tops when sprinting in the drops.
Conservative 50 mm Tire Clearance: A 50 mm limit feels tight for modern gravel racing, where 53–58 mm setups are becoming standard for soaking up harsh impacts.
PROS: Unbeatable price-to-spec ratio; explosive power transfer on smooth terrain; competitive weight.
CONS: Very firm ride over harsh terrain; narrow road handlebar with no flare; conservative tire clearance.
Van Rysel EDR-G GRX (€2,200): The Unsung Hero
At the opposite end of the spectrum sits the EDR-G Shimano GRX 1x12 at €2,200. While it might look like the humble entry-level option on paper, it proved to be the real surprise of our test.
The extra 500 grams (8.75 kg) fade into the background the moment you hit the dirt. Thin, dropped seatstays provide genuine vertical flex, pairing seamlessly with the flared Deda Gera alloy handlebar (24° flare) to mute trail chatter and hold a line through loose rocks. Plus, the down-tube internal storage comes pre-packed with a tool wrap, mini-pump, multi-tool, and TPU inner tube—keeping your frame clutter-free.
PROS: Excellent compliance and comfort; fully equipped internal storage; accessible price tag.
CONS: Less punchy under hard accelerations; 1x drivetrain only.
The Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
The RCR-G is a race-ready missile built for riders with the legs to push high watts, the skills to handle a rigid front end on fast courses, and the desire for top-tier components without paying five-figure sums.
If you care more about control on tight trails, long-distance comfort, and having a reliable rig you can abuse without worrying about battery levels or high replacement costs, the €2,200 EDR-G is the smartest, most sensible choice on the market today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does the RCR-G feel stiffer than other gravel race bikes?
The high-modulus carbon layup combined with a flareless road cockpit transfers trail buzz directly to the rider rather than filtering it through engineered frame flex.
Can I swap out the handlebar on the RCR-G?
Yes on the Rival and Force builds, as they feature a traditional two-piece bar and stem. On the flagship Red AXS version, changing the handlebar requires replacing the one-piece integrated cockpit and re-routing the internal cables.
Does the EDR-G down-tube storage rattle on rough trails?
No. All tools sit securely inside a padded fabric wrap engineered to fit snugly inside the frame cavity, eliminating noise over rough terrain.