Van Rysel has revealed the RCR and D500 smart trainers – two new models that look set to challenge the big names in indoor cycling.
Following the naming convention of its WorldTour-proven road bike, the RCR Pro, the RCR smart trainer is a new high-end model with a spec sheet that competes with rivals such as the Wahoo Kickr V6 and Tacx Neo 3M.
The D500, meanwhile, is a mid-range model targeting competitors such as the Wahoo Kickr Core 2, JetBlack Victory and Elite Rivo.
As we’ve come to expect of the French brand (which is owned by Decathlon), both trainers are priced competitively – at £749.99 / €798.99 for the RCR and £349.99 / €399.99 for the D500.
Buried in its spec, the RCR also has one standout feature that every smart trainer on the market ought to have, but few do – an Ethernet port.
RCR smart trainer
The RCR looks set to replace Van Rysel’s existing D900 smart trainer, which we tested in February 2024.
While that trainer featured impressive ride feel and specs for its relatively low price, it suffered some issues with data accuracy and lacked a few quality-of-life features present on its competitors (such as Race Mode, network connectivity and sensor bridging).
The new RCR trainer, though, promises +/- 1 per cent accuracy, with no calibration required, compared to +/- 2 per cent on the D900, as well as a higher maximum power of 2,800 watts.
The flywheel weight isn’t specified, but Van Rysel says the RCR can simulate gradients of up to 27 per cent, if you’re that way inclined.
It also features a motor that can drive the flywheel on descents for a more realistic simulation of riding downhill.
The RCR features both Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity, but lacks Wi-Fi – something that has become almost ubiquitous on the latest mid-level to high-end smart trainers.
In place of Wi-Fi, though, it features a simple Ethernet port, which enables it to be hard-wired into your local network or connected directly to whatever smart device you’re using.
This, Van Rysel says, ensures “ultra-responsive, latency-free training that's ideal for competition”.
This is a breath of fresh air compared to brands such as Wahoo and Tacx, which feature proprietary ports that require riders to purchase additional ‘dongles’ for their trainers should they wish to use a wired connection.
It also features a USB-C port that can be used to charge smart devices while you ride.
Good job Van Rysel.
Beyond this, the RCR trainer features folding legs and a handle to make it easier to stow away between uses. It costs £749.99 / €798.99.
This includes a Zwift Cog and Click V2 set, which makes the trainer ‘Zwift Ready’ and unlocks virtual shifting on the popular indoor cycling app, as well as compatibility with “almost any 8- to 12-speed bike”.
Van Rysel RCR smart trainer specification
- Model: Van Rysel RCR
- Price: £749.99 / €798.99
- Maximum power: 2,800 watts
- Maximum gradient: 27 per cent
- Claimed power accuracy: +/- 1 per cent
- Claimed noise level: 56dB at 25kph (measured at 1.5m)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, Ethernet
D500
The D500, meanwhile, also looks like an exciting prospect.
Priced at £349.99 / €399.99 (also including the Zwift Cog and Click V2 bundle), the D500 replaces the existing ‘Interactive Turbo Trainer D500’, which was part of Van Rysel's 2024 smart trainer range.
In contrast to that outgoing model, the new D500 features a Wahoo Kickr Core-inspired design akin to Van Rysel’s excellent budget trainer – the D100.
It features a 1,500W maximum power ceiling, can simulate gradients of up to 15 per cent and has a claimed power accuracy rating of +/- 2.5 per cent.
Assuming it performs as claimed, those specs should be plenty for all but the most powerful cyclists to enjoy the full range of joy indoor cycling can offer (or not, if you’d prefer your indoor training to be boring).
Unlike the Wahoo Kickr Core 2, JetBlack Victory and Elite Rivo, the Van Rysel D500 lacks Wi-Fi connectivity, and only features Bluetooth and ANT+.
It does, however, undercut all three of those trainers on price, by £50 to £150 (depending on the model in question).
The D500 sadly lacks the Ethernet port featured on the RCR trainer, and it remains to be seen whether it offers Race Mode over Bluetooth, as some smart trainers do.
Van Rysel D500 smart trainer specification
- Model: Van Rysel D500
- Price: £349.99 / €399.99
- Maximum power: 1,500 watts
- Maximum gradient: 15 per cent
- Claimed power accuracy: +/- 2.5 per cent
- Claimed noise levels: 56dB at 25kph (measured at 1.5m)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+
