PRO CYCLIST INSIGHT: Ben O'Connor REVIEWS his Van Rysel RCR Pro (how good is it REALLY?)

Рет қаралды 88,059

Күн бұрын

I spent two days riding with pro cyclist for Decathlon Ag2r, Ben O'Connor, right before he headed off to the 2024 Giro d'Italia - and spoke with him about his new Van Rysel RCR Pro and XCR race bikes. Affordable and performance oriented, but how good are these brand new offerings from Decathlon, really?
A big thank you to Ben for his time in helping make this video possible!
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00:00 Intro
01:27 Quick chat
02:01 Van Rysel XCR time trial bike
03:25 Custom TT aerobars
06:23 Van Rysel RCR Pro
08:47 Swiss Side 500 wheels
09:40 Integrated handlebars
10:19 Gearing for races v. training
13:33 Outro
This video was filmed in Andorra, where many professional cyclists live and train. Riders like Jack Haig, James Knox, Pavel Sivakov, Luke Durbridge, Sepp Kuss, Robert Gesink, Julian Alaphilippe, Carlos Verona, George Bennett and others use the mountains of Andorra to train with teams such INEOS-Grenadiers, Jumbo Visma, UAE Team Emirates, EF-Education Pro Cycling. I personally have no affiliation with Decathlon or Van Rysel bikes.

Пікірлер: 131

@rorner11 25 күн бұрын

I love how detailed and focused this bike tech review was. A stark difference from a lot of other KZfaq channels out there. Thank you!

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

Thanks mate, I appreciate that! 🙏🏼

@collectivesartori 24 күн бұрын

Actual insights not just puff. Well done mate

@lahtacjoe 24 күн бұрын

Totally totally agree. I think there is serious fatigue with the same rubbish reviews.'its slightly better than the last one but it's also not really different I also would buy it but it all depends and I maybe wouldn't buy it and also I've enjoyed my time here in Hawaii paid for by the bike company'

@luttekikker 22 күн бұрын

I agree with you! This is the information you should share more when reviewing a bike instead of all the marketing BS you normally see (while all competitors do the same with almost the same specs). You see it nowadays in the races when in the final sprint 5-6 top brands finish almost at the same time. Nowadays every aero roadbike is top notch and the differences are minimal.This is probably also the reason why OEM brands like Van Ryssel can compete easily with the more classic brands that are out there for centuries.

@timwolf2215 24 күн бұрын

Honestly how can you not love ben. He is so honest with how he talks, trains and races. No bullshit. Such a good Aussie cyclist to follow. Another great vid brother 🇦🇺👍

@flax1k810 24 күн бұрын

I know Ben from your videos, a long time ago and I learned many things from your videos. Now Ben is famous and a world class top rider, but as popular and modest as before. Great video, many technical details, as usual in your videos. Thank you Tristan

@Oakpathetics 24 күн бұрын

140 stem and 38 bars.. now that’s a pro setup!!! It looks like the drops flare out too?? Kick ass in the giro Ben!! A few months back when Ben visited Aus he passed me on a bikeway in Bris and waved.. I was too slow (and in shock) to wave back.. gutted 😂

@santiagobenites 24 күн бұрын

It's always very interesting to hear from a current top pro about their current equipment and setup, and Ben has been really great about agreeing to do these videos. Nicely done, Tristan 👍

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

Thanks mate. Yeah it’s always cool to have his input in such a chilled setting. 🙏🏼

@seanmccuen6970 24 күн бұрын

yur everywhere. hey, what the fk happened to the cyclingnews comments section??

@santiagobenites 24 күн бұрын

@@seanmccuen6970 It looks like they've done a makeover, and removed it completely.

@jirihutecka9020 20 күн бұрын

Bigger chain ring is not just about bigger speed. It is also about that you can use bigger ring in back for the same speeds which is more efficient..

@xuchenglin6256 24 күн бұрын

Very very informative, that's what we want to know. The insights into tyres (front/rear) and chainring teeth is very very sounding. Not only what, but also why. Very good video!

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

Thanks mate 🙏🏼 Glad you enjoyed it, and learned something!

@collectivesartori 24 күн бұрын

Interesting they’re sticking with 28s front and 30s rear etc in tubeless. With all this focus on super wide 32 and even 34s being faster it’s interesting to see the pros holding to the narrower tyres on their bikes. Would be keen to hear more views on this from Ben and the whole ‘tubeless is dangerous’ narrative that’s going on at present.

@mamihaylov 24 күн бұрын

Best of luck to Ben at the Giro and throughout the season!

@cmarnold78 24 күн бұрын

Thanks for this! Great video and great to see Ben doing so well this year and ready for the Giro.

@willkent4759 24 күн бұрын

Awesome video. You blokes are so down to earth. Best of luck to Ben at the Giro. I’ll be watching.

@judd7699 24 күн бұрын

Cracking interview. I met Ben at the tour d France in Pau before he started that day after he came dn off the ramp / gave me at least a minute of his time 🥳🍺 - .. as did all of the riders from Perth ( 5 in total 🥇) we are do so proud of them all / an inspiration to all our up and coming riders out of Perth and Australia .. 🎉🎉

@carlyuen4360 23 күн бұрын

Fab interview and run-through the hardware - both were very candid, keen and knowledgeable about what the viewers want - look forward to the next Review!

@DonJon99 24 күн бұрын

I was waiting your video for such a long time now! Thank you Tristan

@DDai-qd8uk 3 күн бұрын

Love all your content. Keep it up mate. Waiting for your weekly podcast...

@CycoWarriorx 24 күн бұрын

Happy for Ben getting those W’s… the VR TT bike b-roll with the light snowfall… 😏… nice touch Tristan… nice… 🥃

@antoniomontana3688 25 күн бұрын

Well done Ben. Good to see an Aussie smashing cycling tours around the world. Saw the Ras Al Khaimah, Jebel Jais race. It took me longer to get to the top with my car lol. Unfortunately Decathlon don't sell the hi-end Van Rysel's in the UAE yet. I'm watching that space. Thanks for the update Tristan.

@mick6ful 24 күн бұрын

Fantastic vid. Thank you. Best of luck Ben

@user-te3xg2oc9d 24 күн бұрын

Always great video to watch 👍👍

@mjaynz 24 күн бұрын

Great vid as always Tristan. Go well at the Giro Ben 🚀

@carlesgomezlozano5403 24 күн бұрын

Best of luck Ben in this Giro ! Amazing video as always.

@FaiscaaaH 22 күн бұрын

Damn bro, it's snowing and you using a t-shirt like nothing bothers you 💪💪💪 What a great review

@jalebkhan 25 күн бұрын

Good luck to Ben at the Giro!

@johnflynn4923 24 күн бұрын

Great vlog and Ben's such a likable unassuming guy. Hope he can nail a couple of stages and a podium in the Giro GC.

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

Fingers crossed for him! 🤞🏼

@wendysuperfan1014 24 күн бұрын

Good luck Ben!! Thanks tristan.

@tristantakevideo 22 күн бұрын

Thanks Wendy 🙏🏼

@stevenrobinson5690 24 күн бұрын

Great insight..love it

@collectivesartori 24 күн бұрын

Awesome interview. Ben seems very cool and genuine.

@neilplatt1111 8 күн бұрын

Fabulous video and insight - content fans want to know Tristan, on point here with ben again :)

@troycollett8540 24 күн бұрын

Love the videos with Ben

@daviddjerassi 24 күн бұрын

A Top class interview with a Top class rider thanks TA loved the video.

@robertphillips3078 23 күн бұрын

Love ur content Tristan, Big Ben is such a Layed Back & Cool Guy . Very Easy Going . Gr8 Start 2 the Year . Hope he has a Cracking Giro & TdeF . Robert Australia

@michaelhoult9 24 күн бұрын

Great video !!

@josemanuelriveroandreusala9273 24 күн бұрын

Amazing video!

@jwtfpv8957 24 күн бұрын

Great stuff!

@SrFederico 25 күн бұрын

What a sympathetic guy!

@kionepoint 25 күн бұрын

Great interview!

@davidmcilvenna3710 25 күн бұрын

Tristan, you must be super-strong yourself to be able to ride with and train with Ben!

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

Thanks man. Just out here trying my best to keep up!

@davidmcilvenna3710 23 күн бұрын

@@tristantakevideo Ben did well today.. was the only rider who could follow Pog when he attacked.....is scary how strong Pog is!

@iznasni 8 күн бұрын

Wow, Ben seems like a super friendly guy 👍👍

@luttekikker 22 күн бұрын

Amazing video! As a Pinarello roadbike enthousiastic, I must say, this Van Ryssel RCR roadbike looks really good. The Van Ryssel TimeTrial bike looks great as well (I love the way you can shift with your thumbs). Yes, it's cheaper than Pinarello, but still pretty high in price due to the used 3rd party components (wheels, saddle, groupset). Never seen before I think in the world of PRO cycling that a "housebrand" (from Decathlon) actually performs on top level (and sometimes outperforms apparently) compared to Pinarello, BMC, S-Works/Specialized, Scott, Trek and so on).

@Simonewhitesim-1music 24 күн бұрын

Ben is always cool and focused. Let's Go Australia.

@troycollett8540 24 күн бұрын

Saw the bike up close at Tour Down Under and it is a very very nice bike

@Sign_Hero 24 күн бұрын

Great Video mate!! All the best to Ben in the Giro!!! AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!!!!🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

@karlburningham3604 24 күн бұрын

Awesome as allways

@callanrobison2674 24 күн бұрын

very good thx

@chrisridesbicycles 24 күн бұрын

Very interesting. I wonder if there is some indication on the TT bike that the next shift will change the chainring so you can ease off a little bit to not drop the chain. Would be interesting what they changed at AG2R this year besides the bike. It can't only be a few aero watts. There has to be something with training/nurtition. The whole team is flying.

@lawrences1347 23 күн бұрын

The head unit will beep on the shift before the front shifts.

@BOXING-xd2wy 24 күн бұрын

another banger video, thanks for everything. i would love to know what kind of bike computer you have? much love ♥

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

Thanks man 🙏🏼 I run a Garmin Edge 840 Solar and Ben runs a Wahoo Bolt.

@BOXING-xd2wy 24 күн бұрын

@@tristantakevideo what kind of budget bike computer would you recommend? i would like to switch from my normal km counter which only shows time, speed and km to something more professional in order to train more efficiently.

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

I think the Garmin Edge 130 is a good budget option.

@farrels9506 21 күн бұрын

I really want to know Ben Crank arm to be honest, anyway still a nice vids. Thanks Tristan👌

@StopTheRot 24 күн бұрын

Does anyone know the angle of the stem? I’m looking for a negative 17 all in one cockpit - and that looks close

@larkiess 25 күн бұрын

No bike on the pro peloton can be called affordable 😂

@l.d.t.6327 24 күн бұрын

There are 14K bikes in the pro peloton, this one is around 8K, not affordable but quite the difference.

@marco1985mtd 25 күн бұрын

Great video! I wonder which crank length Ben is using. Do you have this information available?

@NunoJoel 25 күн бұрын

54-44

@mervjoe7292 25 күн бұрын

@@NunoJoelcrankarms length. Not crankset size.

@mvp_kryptonite 24 күн бұрын

I’m a noob in road cycling and got a power meter a few yers back amd simply replaced the left side that was already on the bike with 172.5. I’m not fit enough or tall at all but I think

@tristantakevideo 23 күн бұрын

I’m not 100% sure but I’ll find out for you.

@digamondvonn 25 күн бұрын

watching stage 1 while watching this

@billybirdy9507 24 күн бұрын

Nice bikes. Does Van Rysel make bikes with geometry for mere mortals? Good luck for the Giro💪💪💪

@rjzeph6199 24 күн бұрын

was the snow an added bonus?

@vincentkrause7097 19 күн бұрын

Finally Ben is back at the Giro. The Giro 2020 was the race that saved his career, after it nearly seemd over...

@FuzzyJ144 12 күн бұрын

Wonder what brand Ben's jacket is, looks cozy!

@maverickgouerou7384 23 күн бұрын

Thanks for the content. I have a question : does ag2r or Decathlon has to validate your content when you make vidéo with Ben O'Connor ?

@tristantakevideo 23 күн бұрын

Thanks man. No they don’t.

@avinashdesamangalam3805 23 күн бұрын

Ben is just a gem!!! Love your videos Tristan. Learnt a lot from them. (Note to self: Have a close look at the saddle) ❤

@tristantakevideo 23 күн бұрын

Thanks so much man 🙏🏼 Yeah he’s a proper legend. I’m going to reassess my saddle too..that adaptive looks 👌🏼

@comedyman112 22 күн бұрын

any chance the cheaper Van Rysel NCR can get the same review?

@MarcioSa12 25 күн бұрын

So… how does it compare to the BMC?

24 күн бұрын

where do I buy in the USA?

@pierrex3226 24 күн бұрын

Take a trip to France and take it back in your luggage :) stock is notoriously bad outside of Europe/France.

@Terrierized 25 күн бұрын

I figured he'd just had an ice bath!..

@philipaddyman7402 13 күн бұрын

Brilliant! Way better than the clowns on GCN!!!!!!

@shanghaidiscovery2664 22 күн бұрын

Didn;t think I would ever see the day where Decathlon had a USD9700 bike. It looks great but how is 10k a "good price point". now some of the other Van Rysel are indeed quite well priced

@tristantakevideo 22 күн бұрын

Just a simple comparison with where similarly specc’d and performing bikes are priced. Nobody should spend that much money on a bike but they do, and the fact these sold out in minutes is testament to how the cycling public sees the value compared to other options.

@arthurvermeulen1405 23 күн бұрын

It’s snowing and this guy wears a t-shirt

@tristantakevideo 23 күн бұрын

Not recommended.

@treycs2 19 күн бұрын

swisside need to get it together and have a 30mm or 32mm rim

@tristantakevideo 19 күн бұрын

Yeah, some 35’s would be nice I reckon.

@markanderson7412 24 күн бұрын

Give it a rip BoC, good luck mate 🚀

@hockysa 19 күн бұрын

58/44?!! 44 the smallest!? hot damn that's some legs

@roadfert 24 күн бұрын

I’ve set my new record for how fast I clicked the 👍🏻 button 😎!

@jgogl9791 24 күн бұрын

Sorry what was the "BUT" (other than ckickbait)?

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

Just clickbait. Glad it worked 😉

@jgogl9791 24 күн бұрын

@@tristantakevideo ha! Nicely done. I'd have watched anyway sir, you seem like a decent bloke.

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

Thanks man 🙏🏼 I’ll try make future videos less clickbaitey but it’s nice to get people watching rather than ignoring…🥲😂

@socopower 24 күн бұрын

Nice video, but that gear lever sitting against a rough stone wall made me sweat

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

I promise I placed it very gently. 😅

@goldenretriever6261 16 күн бұрын

The lower spec bike is on the Decathlon Canadas website. I have never seen one in the store though, probably mail order only.

@kallewirsch7915 23 күн бұрын

Interesting that he says he feels a difference in the 62mm wheels against the 50mm wheels, because the guy from the Tour Aerotest said that there is no difference in the wind tunnel anymore above 45mm wheels.

@korlik2142 19 күн бұрын

60...58...44 on hills...omg

@1afterthep 24 күн бұрын

Isn't it known that the pros get a different carbon layup than the average joe?

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

That’s actually something I’m not sure about. I haven’t spoken with Decathlon or Van Rysel. I’d guess the top level frames would be the same but as soon as you step a level down they change. But yeah, not 100% sure sorry.

@ambulowan 24 күн бұрын

@@tristantakevideo they would never tell because it wouldn't be allowed. The bike has to be stock and available to everyone. Them using better carbon, making it stiffer or something would be against the rules. It's speculated that they do this, because you Don't want your frame braking in the biggest stage. But to what extent they do this we don't know, pretty sure the frames go through more QQ and they make sure they get the best ones of these. Speaking frame vs frame just from a carbon standpoint it does not make much difference. Basically they are produced all in the same factories and the brands just put their names on it. Im at a point where i would never buy an expensive brand frame, just because the dollars are not invested in 100% engineering of what is possible but what is possible with UCI rules which block innovation and of course a lot of branding dollars.

@bsyffus 18 күн бұрын

The bike is quite cool. But decathlon needs to have a lot better service. Only a few service points in Germany. To get your fork in the right length you need to get the bike to your local shop and they sent it to the service point. Way too complicated.

@marcelsow5817 24 күн бұрын

How can you tell the difference between a pro and amateur rider? The pro wears a warm jacket when its snowing, not to get sick. The amateur, just toughens it out and takes his chances in a shirt

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

Haha the reason I laid so much b-roll over the top of the talking is because my hand was shaking the entire interview…🫠😂

@marcelsow5817 24 күн бұрын

@tristantakevideo so that's why Ben had a continuous smirk on his face. He was internally laughing at you trying to look tough for the cam 😉🥶

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

Exactly. As you said; you can tell the difference between a pro and an amateur. Aside from the 100w difference in FTP 😂

@marcelsow5817 24 күн бұрын

@@tristantakevideo I'm sure yours ain't that bad. They just know how to draw from it after 4 hours of riding.

@wheelwizard8219 23 күн бұрын

Why nearly every reviewer details bar widths & stem lengths Tyre sizes Chain rings sizes BUT NO CRANK LENGTH !!!

@tristantakevideo 23 күн бұрын

I forgot.

@Omeiden 24 күн бұрын

Kinda weird to ask a pro rider if his bike is good or not, he is sponsored hello?...

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

I find it more interesting than asking the average Joe what they think. I trust the judgement of a rider who actually notices 1% differences.

@Omeiden 23 күн бұрын

@@tristantakevideo their job is to sell bikes, like you with BMC. everybody is schilling

@tristantakevideo 22 күн бұрын

Welcome to the internet my friend 🤝🏼

@dundeedideley1773 22 күн бұрын

I don't get it, isn't he sponsored? Why would anyone believe anything about the bike? He's contractually obligated to say good things about it. Also, it's a legal requirement to mention you're sponsored by decathlon even when it's obvious

@tristantakevideo 22 күн бұрын

How much of the video did you watch?

@whynotride327 24 күн бұрын

Bicycles do NOT have a cockpit, airplanes do.

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

It’s just an industry term these days.

@whynotride327 24 күн бұрын

@@tristantakevideo "Industry" or not, why use term that is incorrect? Common usage doesn't make it any more correct.

@bluetooth2000 24 күн бұрын

Review a bike is absurd. I had already 30 bikes and none of them influenced my performance differently from all the others. That's marketing bull.

@tristantakevideo 24 күн бұрын

Sounds like you might be the problem mate 😉

@Wardawg- 24 күн бұрын

Bikes definitely feel different with different cockpit geometry. Everything else is trying to make that bike lighter and faster

@bluetooth2000 24 күн бұрын

@@tristantakevideo So, keep trying the best possible bike you can find and y'll be World Champion, not because of you, but because of your bike!

@borasumer 24 күн бұрын

@@bluetooth2000 When everybody is good, and when miliseconds are the determining factor. Yes every single detail matters.

@bluetooth2000 24 күн бұрын

@@borasumer You better be fit, forget the miliseconds kkkk