You are 1.74 m tall and are unsure whether to choose an S frame or an M frame for your Van Rysel RCR. The size chart on the website indicates an overlap area, and you don’t know which option to prioritize. The size of the Van Rysel RCR frame is not just about your height: the length of your inseam, your torso/arm proportions, and your riding style all play a direct role in comfort and performance.
Inseam and proportions: the measurements that really matter on a Van Rysel RCR
The size indicated on the frame (XS, S, M, L, XL) is based on your overall height. This is a first filter, not a verdict. Two cyclists who are 1.73 m tall may need two different sizes.
Why? Because the distribution between legs and torso varies from person to person. A cyclist with long legs and a short torso will need a larger frame than their height suggests to avoid a too compact riding position. Conversely, a tall torso with short legs points towards a smaller frame, compensated by a longer stem.
Measure your inseam before consulting the size chart. Stand barefoot against a wall, with a book wedged between your legs at saddle height. Measure from the floor to the top of the book. This value, crossed with your height, helps to determine your morphology in relation to the frame dimensions: seat tube height, reach (horizontal distance between the bottom bracket and the top of the head tube), and stack (vertical height from the same point).
To delve deeper into these concepts regarding the model you are interested in, a Van Rysel RCR frame size guide details the geometric dimensions size by size and their impact on position.
Reach and stack of the RCR frame: understanding geometry before choosing
Reach and stack are the two dimensions that define your position on the bike. Reach determines how far your hands are from the center of the bike. Stack determines how high.
On the Van Rysel RCR, the geometry is designed for racing. This means a relatively long reach and a moderate stack, which places the cyclist in an aerodynamic posture. If you are between two sizes, the choice of a smaller or larger frame depends on your flexibility and your goals.
Smaller frame: aggressive position and maneuverability
Choosing the smaller size reduces the reach and stack. You will be lower, more laid back on the bike. This is an advantage for air penetration, but it requires good flexibility in the back and hamstrings. If you often ride on short, intense outings, this option may suit you.
Be careful: a frame that is too small requires compensating with a long stem, which alters steering and can create discomfort in the wrists over long distances.
Larger frame: comfort and stability
The larger size increases the reach and raises the stack. The position is less aggressive, with a more upright back. For long rides, hilly terrain, or if you are new to road cycling, this is often the most suitable choice. The bike’s behavior gains stability at high speeds.
RCR-R or RCR-F: the frame variant changes the game for size choice
Van Rysel offers two versions of the RCR with distinct philosophies. The RCR-R is the versatile bike, designed for “all-around” racing (mountains, hills, mixed terrain). The RCR-F is focused on pure speed, designed for flat terrain and classics.
What changes concretely for size choice: the RCR-F has a shorter head tube and a longer reach than the RCR-R at the same size. In simple terms, at the same size, the RCR-F places you lower and more stretched out on the bike. If you are torn between two sizes on the RCR-F, the larger frame will often be more comfortable than on the RCR-R, where the position is already accessible.
This point is rarely mentioned in generic size guides. The geometry is not interchangeable between the two models, even if the sizes have the same name.
Saddle and stem adjustments: fine-tuning your position after choosing the frame
Choosing the right frame size is not enough. Two main adjustments refine your position once the bike is received.
- The saddle height is calculated from your inseam. Multiply this measurement by 0.883 to get a reliable base (the distance between the bottom bracket and the hollow of the saddle). Then adjust in small increments according to your pedaling feel: the knee should remain slightly bent at the bottom of the stroke.
- The saddle setback positions your knee above the pedal axle. A plumb line from the kneecap, with the pedal horizontal, allows you to check this alignment. A poorly adjusted setback can cause knee pain or loss of power.
- The length and angle of the stem adjust the effective reach. A shorter stem brings the handlebars closer, while a longer one moves them away. This is the simplest adjustment lever to compensate for a frame that is slightly too large or too small.
These adjustments allow you to personalize your position, but they do not replace a frame of the correct size. A stem longer than 120 mm or shorter than 80 mm generally indicates a frame size issue.
Postural study: when the size chart is no longer enough
If you invest in a high-modulus carbon frame like the RCR, a postural study remains the most reliable way to validate your choice. A specialist measures your joint amplitudes, flexibility, and support points, then recommends a size and precise adjustment dimensions.
The postural study is particularly useful if you are between two sizes or if you have a history of pain (lower back, neck, knees). It usually costs about the same as good equipment, but it avoids months of approximate adjustments.
The tire clearance of the RCR, compatible with tires up to 33 mm, can also influence the comfort feel depending on your build. A wider tire absorbs more vibrations, which can compensate for a slightly more aggressive position on a frame you would have chosen in a smaller size.
The size choice of the Van Rysel RCR is based on three concrete elements: your body measurements (inseam, torso, arms), the frame variant (RCR-R or RCR-F), and the use you will make of it. Take the time to measure, compare the geometric dimensions size by size, and if doubt persists, a postural study will provide a clearer answer than a chart.