Judging by the number of Van Rysel shorts, jerseys, shoes, and helmets that I saw paired with expensive bikes and other premium kit on a recent trip to Mallorca, the brand has been very successful in attracting keen cyclists as well as more casual users.
Its sponsorship of the Decathlon CMA CGM WorldTour team has both raised its profile and given it a reason to produce more performance-oriented products alongside its more budget-conscious offerings.
By and large, most of the gear we have tested from Van Rysel has impressed us, not only for its value for money but also for its genuine performance. However, if there is one area where shortcuts and scrimping should be avoided, it’s bib shorts. Nothing ruins a ride as fast as uncomfortable shorts, and while the steady rise in price of many of the best bib shorts isn’t a welcome one, it is always well worth buying the comfiest shorts possible.
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So, do Van Rysel’s RCR Bib Shorts provide a worthwhile, cash-saving alternative?
Design details
The RCR Bib Shorts are built around an Elastic Interface pad, a brand used by many manufacturers. Van Rysel says that the Performance 2.5 HD pad uses a ‘very high-density foam under the top layer for maximum effectiveness on long-distance rides to give you enduring comfort, guaranteed for up to five hours’. The Rhombus fabric used is promised to prevent harmful bacteria.
Well, that’s the marketing spiel anyway.
In reality, I wouldn’t describe the pad as particularly ‘high-density’, it’s at the softer end of the seat pads that I have used, with a relatively basic feel to it although it does have a pressure relief channel down the centre; this is not necessarily a bad thing, one of my favourite pads of all time, the original Assos S5 pad, had a similar feel.
The shorts’ material is a touch lighter than some modern, highly compressive fabrics, although VR claims the shorts offer some compression. The main body material extends up between the shoulder blades, acting as a yoke for the straps, with some large perforations in the top section for breathability.
To keep the shorts in place, there is a very deep section of silicone grippers at the bottom of each raw-cut leg – 6cm of the stuff to be precise.
Very deep silicone grippers
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
The straps are white in colour, with reinforced bonded sections where they join the main fabric at the front. The branding is limited to a small ‘Van Rysel’ printed on the right thigh and a tiny ‘RCR’ behind the left thigh – all pretty subtle.
Pine Green, Cashmere Beige, Concrete Grey and Smoked Black are the colours for men, while women just get Concrete Grey and Smoked Black. Sizes for men are S to XXL and XS to XL for women.
Performance
Having been very impressed with Van Rysel’s winter bib tights, I had high hopes for the RCR shorts, and for the most part, they lived up to my expectations.
The fit was good. A large was the right size for me at 73kg and 186cm, and marries up with sizing for brands like Assos, Castelli and Velocio. Leg length was great, with the hem long enough for my personal preference and again, in line with Castelli and Velocio.
(Image credit: Kim Russon)
The front of the shorts was also a good height, sitting above my belly button, so there shouldn’t be any issues with gaps between shorts and jersey when off the bike. Strap length and elasticity were spot on, holding things in the right place on the bike yet without discomfort when standing upright.
The only area that was less than slick was the cut around the crotch. Baggy is far too strong a word for it, but there did seem to be a bit too much fabric, leading to crow’s-feet-style creases radiating outwards across my groin and upper thighs. Only a sartorial issue, but one which I haven’t noticed before with more established premium brands.
I was able to put the shorts and matching jersey through their paces in the UK and for a couple of weeks of warmer weather in Mallorca and Gran Canaria. The RCR bib shorts performed well, and if that sounds like damning with faint praise, it kind of is.
Light fabric was good in warmer conditions
(Image credit: Kim Russon)
Whereas I found the Elastic Interface decent enough when I used it in Van Rysel’s winter tights for 2-3-hour cold-weather rides, I don’t think it stood up as well for full days out on the bike. After a few hours, I became aware of the saddle and would have preferred a higher-density cushion, especially on day four or five of the trip. There was no specific issue, but I did find myself wishing for a different pad by the middle of the afternoon – maybe my backside is not as hardy as some, but VR’s promised five hours plus of comfort is a little optimistic for me.
Value
At £90/ $119, the RCR shorts are operating in a very competitive pricing segment. This means that judgment of them must be in this context, and as such, I think that they fall slightly short of perfection in a couple of areas.
The fit and design are very good, with decent leg length and comfort, but the fabric provides a bit less support than I am used to these days, and the cut around the crotch could be better, too. I accept that there is an element of personal preference in this, though, and some riders might prefer the less compressive feel of the RCRs.
Reasonable value, but not outstanding
(Image credit: Kim Russon)
I also think that the pad should be a bit better for this price. It was fine for short- to medium-length rides, but it would not be my first choice if I were planning to spend more than four hours in the saddle. It is a bit too soft for that in my opinion.
However, most problematic in terms of value is that Van Rysel’s terribly named but excellent Water-repellent Winter Road Cycling Bib Tights, RCR Extreme, use the same pad and straps, are full-length, and have warm, windproof panels, yet cost £10 less than these shorts. Makes no sense to me.
Ultimately, the RCR Bib Shorts are pretty decent, but they could really do with being a bit cheaper or using a better pad to offer the kind of value we are used to seeing from Van Rysel.
Tech spec
- Price: £90/ $119
- Chamois style: Race
- Storage: None
- Leg type: Shorts
- Colours: Smoked Black (tested), Pine Green, Cashmere Beige, Concrete Grey
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
