Van Rysel is hitting the gravel scene with two very different machines. The RCR-G is clearly the weapon for those chasing podiums, featuring aero optimizations and clearance for tyres up to 50mm. It starts at £3,000 across three build tiers. On the other end, the EDR-G is the endurance play, starting at £2,100 with a Shimano GRZ build. Some EDR-G versions even include an integrated down tube storage compartment.
For a racer, the RCR-G specs look sharp. A medium frame has a stack/reach of 554/391mm, which suggests a geometry built for aggression. I live for high intensity and stiffness, and the RCR-G seems to follow that philosophy. However, not everyone is looking to smash out a sprint finish on a gravel sector. If the goal is a long day in the saddle or a multi-day trip, that aero focus becomes a liability if the ride quality is too harsh.
For a rider who mostly does long gravel rides and bikepacking, is the comfort-focused EDR-G worth signing up to over the aero-focused RCR-G?
I also want to know if that integrated storage on the EDR-G is actually practical for a full bikepacking setup or if it is just for a few tools and a spare tube.