Getting Back Into Cycling
According to USA Cycling, I’m a Cat 2. According to my training history, however, the only intervals I’ve done in the past decade involve testing how long I can leave an Oreo in milk before it falls apart. My racing days are long gone, but lately the desire to ride has returned.
A lot has changed since I stepped away from racing in 2016:
- Disc brakes are everywhere.
- Electronic shifting is nearly standard.
- Tubeless tires have become common.
- A 28 mm tire is now considered skinny—say what?
And the prices? You’ve got to be kidding me. Look around the internet and nearly every major brand has a top-of-the-line bike hovering around $15,000. Back in 2016, you could buy a new car for that and still have money left over. Exhibit A: the 2016 Nissan Versa sedan started at $11,990. It was basic transportation—often without power windows or locks—but it was still an entire car.
Finding the Right Bike
Over the past year, I’ve experimented with a lot of different bikes while trying to find what suits me now. At this point, I’m practically a newbie—or, if you prefer, a Fred.
In cycling slang, a “Fred” is a humorous or derogatory term used by serious road cyclists for someone who doesn’t follow standard roadie fashion, unwritten rules, or equipment norms.
Fred? I am him. I am Fred.
The Aero-Bike Experiment
I tried a full-on aero bike because, well, I want to go fast.
Here’s the thing about aero bikes: they’re undeniably great when you want to go fast. But on days when you just want an easy Zone 2 ride? Not so much. Everything about a full-on aero bike is designed to perform at top speed.
It’s like a Subaru WRX rally car. Sure, blasting down a dirt road at 100 miles per hour and screaming through corners sounds fun. As a daily driver, though, it may be a little much.
Where the RCR Pro Fits
Take the standard WRX, and you have a great daily driver that can still scratch the occasional speed itch. That’s where the Van Rysel RCR Pro fits for me. It’s comfortable enough for everyday riding, with just enough influence from the full-blown rally car to keep things exciting. It’s aerodynamic enough that it won’t hold us mere mortals back on the local hammerhead group ride, yet it feels equally at home on a leisurely Zone 2 spin.
Value Without the Big-Brand Price
The Van Rysel’s other major strength is value. It comes with a full-carbon frame, SRAM Force, a power meter, and Zipp wheels. My size 56 weighs 16.3 pounds with pedals—and costs about half as much as the $15,000 flagship bikes from the biggest brands.
“Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy things we don’t need.”
You don’t need to spend the kids’ college fund to enjoy cycling. The RCR Pro has everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s excellent right out of the box: no immediate upgrades, no nagging sense that you should already be chasing the next great bike.