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EXP_18K

CONCEPT 2024

By VAN RYSEL

May 3^rd, 2024

“The one who wins is the one who doesn’t stop.”

ULTRA-CYCLING, ULTRA-COMMITMENT.

Transcend your physical and mental limits, measure your resilience, determination and endurance.

At the heart of this adventure is the relentless quest for ultimate performance. Each turn of the pedal is an exploration of varied landscapes, changing weather conditions and fluctuating emotions.

Each turn of the pedal is a desire to conquer with conviction, an unknown, beautiful, fragile world.

Ultra-cycling is at the heart of the new VAN RYSEL 2024 Design exploration.

How can VAN RYSEL sustainably support athletes in their races without comprosing on the performance and technicality of its products?

PNPL EXP_18K

This exploration project is led by the VAN RYSEL Design and DECATHLON Advanced Design teams.

We created this outfit to win the longest race in the world: EXP18K. 18,000 km across 5 continents, totally unassisted.

BICYCLE

EDR ULTRA.

The objective of this EDR ULTRA bike is to reduce the environmental impact as much as possible without compromising its performance. Ride thousands of miles, ensuring comfort and practicality andremaining responsive and aerodynamic.

To achieve this goal, 3 pillars were studied and developed. Namely,

Design of the frame
Materials used
Cosmetics

DESIGN

This bike was designed with a frame geometry merging the elements of a racing bike and those of an endurance bike.

The front has been designed for an optimal aerodynamic/rigidity ratio, borrowing the NACA* sections from our reference model: the RCR.

Optimal air circulation is provided by a recycled plastic shell which encloses the bike's cockpit.

Furthermore, this advantage goes beyond simple protection: it becomes a multifunctional space, capable of containing the cyclist's waste and other personal effects.

At the rear, the extended seat post and flat sections of the seatstays provide essential comfort for clocking up the miles.

Materials

To reduce the impact of the bike without compromising its performance, we have strategically chosen and positioned materials based on their technical properties.

Thus, carbon is used for the bottom bracket and bushing to maintain good rigidity and optimal force transfer, and aluminium, with less ecological impact, is used on the other parts of the bike.

The bike is assembled by press-fitting, reinforced with a “low temperature” glue which stiffens the whole thing. This glue makes it easy to change the different parts of the frame in the event of breakage.

COSMETIC

To reduce its carbon footprint, for the EDR ULTRA, we adopted a minimalist approach and kept the materials used on the bike simple: the colour palette of the frame is obtained by leaving the materials untreated.

With our CARBOLUMINIUM concept bike, we wanted to redefine the codes of ultra-endurance cycling.

CLOTHING

The clothing range was developed in collaboration with the Jonathan&Fletcher studio to increase the athlete's performance.

The VAN RYSEL teams are proud to have benefited from their expertise for the concept, materials, design, assembly technologies and prototype iterations leading to these innovations.

EDR ULTRA JACKET

An eco-designed, high-performance, ultra-comfortable jacket.

When embarking on a world tour by bike, it’s essential to have versatile clothing. This jacket has been carefully designed to adapt to all weather conditions.

To minimise our carbon footprint, we have adopted a minimalist approach, keeping the materials used in the design of a classic jacket. The aesthetic of the jacket is revealed by the natural colour of the fabric: night and day.

This versatile jacket has been rigorously designed with the direct ergonomics of next-to-skin equipment. It’s been created for use on all our adventures, offering comfort, protection and visibility.

Support from AQ-TECH has helped us develop effective insulation and thermal protection using dry air inflation technology. A small motor built into the jacket blows air into internal channels while a valve allows deflation.

In hot weather, a magnetic system keeps the sleeves up on the shoulders, transforming the jacket into a vest.

When it rains, a new waterproof fabric offers effective protection against humidity and wind.

After dark, the jacket becomes bioluminescent and reflective, maximising the cyclist's visibility to motorists and pedestrians.

ULTRA-ENDURANCE BIB SHORTS

A VELCRO attachment system on the back allows the straps to be detached, making technical breaks and adjustments easier.

SAFETY

For increased safety, retro-reflective areas are strategically incorporated, guaranteeing the cyclist very good visibility, even in low light conditions. The dynamic movement of the legs further amplifies visibility, promoting safety during night-time outings.

ANTI-ABRASION

To lessen the impact of potential falls, reinforced areas on the sides are designed to resist abrasion, improving the durability of the equipment and providing additional protection for the wearer.

CARRYING

In ultra-cycling, convenience is a priority with the inclusion of side pockets, allowing you to carry essential items or nutrition, while keeping them close at hand.

ULTRA-ENDURANCE JERSEY

RAW

The natural aesthetic is celebrated through the RAW approach, which uses components in their unaltered colours, avoiding dyeing processes and adopting their authentic shades.

PRINT-FREE PROCESS

The marking stands out without resorting to conventional printing techniques; it’s elegantly embossed or engraved, adding a tactile dimension to the design.

THERMO-REGULATION AND ODOUR CONTROL

As for performance and comfort, this jersey incorporates merino wool on its inner side, which promotes thermoregulation and prevents odours, thus guaranteeing a feeling of freshness even with prolonged wear.

AERODYNAMICS

Aerodynamics takes centre stage with the inclusion of a sleek design feature – thin, evenly spaced lines decorate the shoulders and biceps, allowing optimal air penetration and improving overall aerodynamic efficiency.

FATIGUE REDUCTION

To combat fatigue, a ceramic patch strategically built into the fabric stimulates blood circulation in key areas, relieving and reducing the feeling of fatigue during intense activity.

By introducing Arnaud Tortel's ENOSYNTEX Stimcare patch, this innovation highlights the commitment to performance and well-being, raising the functionality of the garment to new heights.

FOOTWEAR

EDR ULTRA

Eco-designed shoes that are efficient and ultra-comfortable.

Sustainability is an important factor in eco-design. Our goal was therefore to design a shoe which promises exceptional durability and minimise its CO2 impact as much as possible, without compromising its performance.

Unlike conventional shoes that require injection moulds and assembly glues, which have a significant carbon footprint, our model does away with these traditional design techniques.

Thanks to an ingenious mechanical assembly, each component of the shoe fits together securely, providing optimal foot support.

The rigidity of the entire shoe is provided by a 3D printed insole loaded with carbon, inserted inside the liner.

The innovative 360 KNIT sock adapts to the shape of the foot and includes reflective threads for better visibility. A support strap, also 3D printed, surrounds the sole and foot, providing support for the BOA® system. In addition, the outer soles serve as assembly supports, stiffening the shoe by tightening it up.

All parts of the shoe are interchangeable, to optimise its lifespan. Made using 3D printers, these parts

guarantee a low carbon impact and personalised fit to each foot. To further reduce our carbon footprint, we also took a minimalist approach, keeping the materials used on the shoe simple: the raw material is cosmetic: day and night.

Our approach is to create a truly modern shoe which combines durability, performance and environmental responsibility, without compromising on performance.