Finally—a smart trainer that gives cyclists what they’ve been asking for all along. Van Rysel has unveiled its latest innovations, the RCR and D500 smart trainers—two new contenders aiming squarely at the giants of indoor cycling. But here’s where it gets interesting: one of them includes a simple, game-changing feature that every other brand seems to have overlooked.
Van Rysel, the French brand under Decathlon’s wing, has positioned these new trainers to shake up the market. The RCR sits firmly in the premium bracket, while the D500 targets the mid-range crowd—both bringing impressive specs for their price points.
Van Rysel RCR: The Premium Power Player
The high-end RCR trainer inherits its name from Van Rysel’s race-proven RCR Pro road bike. This isn’t just clever branding—it signals performance to match. Competing with heavyweights like the Wahoo Kickr V6 and Tacx Neo 3M, the RCR delivers next-level accuracy and responsiveness.
Priced at £749.99 / €798.99, the RCR claims precision levels of ±1%, improving on the older D900’s ±2% accuracy. It also ups maximum power to 2,800 watts and can simulate climbs as steep as 27%, perfect for riders wanting to test their climbing grit indoors.
But the real headline? An Ethernet port. A wired connection for your trainer may sound old-school, but in a world plagued by drops in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, it’s a blessing. Van Rysel promises “ultra-responsive, latency-free training,” and anyone who’s lost a virtual race due to connection lag knows just how big that is.
Most competitors opt for proprietary ports and pricey accessories for wired setups—so seeing a simple Ethernet jack feels revolutionary. Add a USB-C port to keep your devices charged mid-ride, and you have a package that’s both powerful and practical.
The RCR even mimics downhill rides thanks to a motorized flywheel that engages on descents for extra realism. It folds up neatly, includes a carrying handle for storage ease, and comes bundled with Zwift Cog and Click V2, making it instantly compatible with Zwift’s virtual shifting system and most 8- to 12-speed bikes.
RCR Spec Rundown:
- Model: Van Rysel RCR
- Price: £749.99 / €798.99
- Max Power: 2,800W
- Gradient Simulation: 27%
- Power Accuracy: ±1%
- Noise: 56 dB at 25 kph (1.5m)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, Ethernet
Van Rysel D500: The Mid-Range Challenger
If you want solid performance without spending top-tier money, the D500 could be your match. Priced competitively at £349.99 / €399.99 (including Zwift Cog and Click V2), it replaces the previous “Interactive Turbo Trainer D500” and borrows design cues from the Wahoo Kickr Core—clean, stable, and efficient.
With a 1,500W max power and 15% gradient simulation, it’s no slouch. Its ±2.5% accuracy is more than enough for all but the strongest riders, making it a compelling option for those chasing immersive indoor rides on a budget.
Like its premium sibling, the D500 supports Bluetooth and ANT+ connections but skips Wi-Fi and Ethernet. This will disappoint some riders who crave reliability during competitive virtual races, but the lower cost keeps it appealing.
Is it a fair trade-off? That depends on your goals. Riders who prioritize uninterrupted performance might see the RCR’s Ethernet port as essential, while casual users could find the D500’s simplicity and price unbeatable.
D500 Spec Rundown:
- Model: Van Rysel D500
- Price: £349.99 / €399.99
- Max Power: 1,500W
- Gradient Simulation: 15%
- Power Accuracy: ±2.5%
- Noise: 56 dB at 25 kph (1.5m)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+
The Bottom Line
Van Rysel’s new trainers signal a shift in how we view smart training tech. The RCR’s Ethernet port alone could start a trend—if other brands pay attention. With competitive pricing and careful attention to performance detail, Van Rysel is challenging the notion that you have to shell out over £1,000 for precision indoor cycling.
So the question is: should every smart trainer include a wired connection for stable, race-ready performance? Or is Wi-Fi already good enough for the vast majority of riders? Drop your thoughts below—this might just be the debate that redefines what “smart” really means in smart trainers.
