Van Rysel Road Bike Helmet RCR MIPS

Aimed primarily at racers, the Van Rysel Road Bike Helmet RCR MIPS represents good value, delivering performance way beyond my expectations of this price point. It’s well ventilated and airy, and though not the lightest helmet I’ve worn, it’s not a weight you really notice while riding.

> Buy now: Van Rysel Road Bike Helmet RCR MIPS for £70 from Decathlon

RCR is an abbreviation for racer, in case you were wondering. Though clearly a road helmet with aerodynamic properties, it’s less extreme than its XCR stablemate and others marketed at time trial audiences. To my mind its shape is neutral enough to not look out of place on a gravel or cyclocross bike.

Van Rysel has an enviable reputation for high specification and keen pricing, and the RCR MIPS is no exception, with an in-mould EPS liner and polycarbonate shell, Mips Air Node technology, a glasses port, and space for ponytails. I was pleased to see the polycarbonate extends around the rim, defending it from premature wear.

The medium on test weighs a slightly portly 279g (1g less than Decathlon claims), which I attribute to fewer vents and greater material than lighter lids.

Its wallet-friendly price could also make it a tempting option for training or winter, the only consideration being the lack of vents along the top, if you like to attach a light or camera to your lid – I’ve found it possible to mount some rear LEDs with longer straps through the rear vents without causing issues on the comfort front.

Ventilation & aerodynamics

The ventilation race seems to have calmed in recent years, and here we have a modest-sounding 15. These work to the inlet and exhaust principle – eight cavernous vents up front to draw cooling air inside, with a similarly proportioned rear seven kicking heat out when you’re heating up grinding along the climbs.

In practice, the front vents do scoop a decent amount of cooling air through, although when cruising along the flat at a steady 18-20mph this felt efficient rather than lightning quick. Airflow didn’t feel radically superior to other performance-orientated road lids I’ve tested and worn long term in the past three or four years, but I’ve been perfectly comfortable cruising at this pace for three hours or so, with my computer telling me it was 25°C.

Where the benefits were most obvious was when winching up climbs, and particularly apparent when riding my fixed, where you’ve just got to go with it, no option of dropping a gear or three.

Over the other side, the front vents continued to drag sufficient airflow inside, without wind noise impairing awareness or conversation, and the song remaining the same on geared builds when letting rip on the descents at 30+mph.

Whether the top section’s flattish profile added anything significant to this – or, indeed, aerodynamics – is difficult to say, but when the winds did gain gusto I was pleased with the rate of flow through my scalp, and, anecdotally, the helmet’s lower top profile seemed to offer some benefit on longer rides.

The enclosed top section was also welcome when heavy showers struck unexpectedly, as well as when whizzing through sections of unmade road and forest trail characterised by overhanging foliage.

Sizing & fit

There are three sizes available, and a good degree of adjustment. I’d got the medium (55-59cm) on test sitting pretty within 60 seconds thanks to the intuitive fitting and adjustment courtesy of the thumbwheel. I’m a 55-56cm in most brands these days, and could probably have achieved a good fit with the small, but the medium arguably gives greater scope for extra headwear when the temperatures tumble or just become more changeable – in hillier regions, for example.

The thumbwheel is sensibly proportioned, so easily tweaked from the saddle, even when wearing full-finger gloves, though it feels slightly lower rent than some around this price, as does the rather no-frills chinstrap, but it’s all perfectly functional and robust. The chinstrap would benefit from a little ‘guard’ as it’s more spartan and noticeable against the skin than I’ve come to expect. The dividers are fine, though, and have gone unnoticed.

The helmet sits quite low, giving the sensation of being immersed within the helmet – some can feel like they’re perched slightly atop – but despite this it hasn’t encroached on the arms of glasses or made them difficult to put on or remove.

Talking of which… I default to photochromic lenses for general riding, so don’t tend to use glasses ports to the same degree as some. Therefore, in my case, the vent design here that results in less secure tenure is more consideration than con. In fairness, I’ve not lost any pairs, but I was conscious of this possibility, meaning I couldn’t give complete focus to powering ahead. This was most apparent on gravel and green lane excursions, but also along tarmac.

Other stuff

As well as this matt white, it’s available in three other colours: a glossy indigo/blue, and matt mauve and khaki. Matt finishes aren’t difficult to live with, but do require a little extra attention to keep them looking sharp.

The stickers aren’t sealed under a topcoat but there’s no sign of lift or peeling as yet – it’s holding up very nicely, giving no reason to think you’ll need to call on Decathlon’s two-year warranty. And hopefully, none of us will need to rely on it – though if something does happen, it complies with CE1078.

Value

At £79.99 the Van Rysel RCR MIPS is well priced for the specification and overall standards of manufacture.

Lazer’s Strada KinetiCore (KinetiCore is a rival to Mips) is £89.99, so a tenner more, and slightly heavier at 294g. Steve felt ventilation was good, but found the adjuster a little gimmicky.

Lara was really impressed with the Kask Sintesi when she reviewed it back in 2022 – the ventilation, comfort, weight and range of colour choices. It’s still £90, so also £10 more than the Van Rysel, but at 237g it’s also a fair bit lighter.

Check out our guide to the best cycling helmets for more options.

Conclusion

While the Van Rysel RCR MIPS isn’t the airiest, lightest, or indeed, the most aero lid, it performs very well across the board and is good value for money. It has few vices, and any cons are more considerations – a little more refinement around the chinstrap would be an easy, inexpensive improvement, as would more secure glasses storage.

> Buy now: Van Rysel Road Bike Helmet RCR MIPS for £70 from Decathlon

Verdict

Generally impressive helmet and good value for money, meriting only some very minor refinements

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