Decathlon used to be the place you went for cheap gym socks or a tent that pops up in two seconds. It wasn't exactly the first port of call for a serious cyclist looking to drop a grand on a performance machine. But things have changed. Massively. Between their WorldTour presence with the AG2R team and the launch of the Van Rysel brand, the French retail giant is suddenly the coolest kid in the room.
The Van Rysel GRVL AF 2 is basically the manifestation of that shift.
It’s an alloy gravel bike that somehow manages to look, feel, and ride like something that should cost twice as much. Honestly, when you first see it in that sage green or the deep burgundy, it doesn’t scream "budget." It screams "I know something you don't." You’ve probably seen them on the trails lately. They're becoming ubiquitous. And for good reason.
The bike is built around a 6061 T6 aluminum frame. Aluminum has a bit of a bad reputation for being "harsh," but that’s mostly a hangover from the stiff, bone-shaking frames of the 90s. Modern hydroforming has changed the game. Van Rysel has shaped these tubes to provide compliance where you need it while keeping the bottom bracket stiff enough that you don't feel like you're pedaling through wet sand when you stand up to climb.
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The geometry of the Van Rysel GRVL AF 2 explained
Geometry is where most budget bikes fail. They either make the bike too twitchy like an old-school road bike or so sluggish that it feels like steering a canal boat. The Van Rysel GRVL AF 2 sits in that "Goldilocks" zone.
It’s stable.
The wheelbase is long enough to give you confidence when you're hurtling down a loose fire road at 40km/h, but the head angle isn't so slack that it feels lazy on the tarmac. It’s a bike that encourages you to take the "long way" home, even if that involves a bit of singletrack you’d normally reserve for a hardtail mountain bike.
The stack and reach figures suggest a more upright position than their dedicated road racing bikes. This is a blessing. If you’re spending five hours in the saddle exploring the backroads of the Peak District or the gravel paths of Vermont, you don't want to feel like you've been folded into a suitcase. You want to see the view. The AF 2 lets you do that without needing a chiropractor on speed dial.
That SRAM Apex 1 drivetrain
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the 1x drivetrain. The Van Rysel GRVL AF 2 comes equipped with SRAM Apex 1. Some road purists still scoff at the lack of a front derailleur. They talk about "gear jumps" and "spinning out" on descents.
They're mostly wrong.
In the world of gravel, simplicity is king. When you’re bouncing over roots and your bike is covered in a thick layer of grit, the last thing you want is a finicky front mech deciding it doesn't want to shift. The 11-speed 11-42t cassette paired with a 40t chainring gives you a 1:1 ratio for the steep stuff. Sure, you might spin out if you're trying to hit 50km/h on a paved descent, but that’s not what this bike is for. It’s for the grind. It's for the mud.
The shifts are tactile. They’re "clunky" in that classic SRAM way—you know exactly when the gear has engaged. It’s mechanical. It’s reliable. It works.
Wheels, tires, and the "Decathlon Tax"
Usually, when a bike is this well-priced, the wheels are basically made of lead. Manufacturers assume you’ll swap them out immediately. With the Van Rysel GRVL AF 2, the Hutchinson Touareg tires are the real stars of the show.
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These tires are incredible.
They feature a versatile tread pattern that rolls fast on pavement but has enough side knobs to bite into corners when the dirt gets loose. They come in a 40mm width, which is the current "sweet spot" for gravel. You can run them tubeless—which you absolutely should do—to lower the pressure and soak up the chatter of the road.
The wheels themselves are Decathlon’s own brand. They aren't the lightest, and they aren't going to win any "most aerodynamic" awards, but they are tough. They stay true. In a world where carbon wheels can crack if you look at a pothole the wrong way, there is something deeply comforting about a sturdy set of alloy hoops.
Braking power that actually stops you
The AF 2 uses SRAM Apex HRD hydraulic disc brakes. This is a massive upgrade over the mechanical discs you often see at this price point. If you’ve ever tried to descend a wet, muddy hill with mechanical rim or disc brakes, you know the "prayer and squeeze" method.
Hydraulic brakes change everything.
One finger is all you need. The modulation is smooth, meaning you can scrub off just a little bit of speed before a corner without locking up the rear wheel and sliding into a bush. It’s a safety feature as much as a performance one.
Where the bike shows its price
No bike is perfect, especially not one that costs under £1,500. The Van Rysel GRVL AF 2 has its quirks. The saddle is a "love it or hate it" affair. Some riders find the Decathlon ergonomics a bit wide in the nose, which can lead to chafing on longer rides. It’s an easy fix, but it’s an extra cost.
Then there’s the weight.
It’s an aluminum bike with heavy-duty components. It’s not a featherweight climber. When you’re hoisting it over a five-bar gate or pushing it up a 20% gradient, you’ll feel every gram. But once it’s rolling, that weight translates into momentum and stability. It feels planted.
Another minor gripe? The internal cable routing. It looks clean, but it can be a bit rattly on rough terrain. A bit of foam tubing or some clever zip-tie work can dampen the noise, but it’s something to be aware of if you crave a silent ride.
Real world performance: Mud, grit, and tarmac
I’ve seen people use this bike for everything from daily commuting to multi-day bikepacking trips across the Alps. It’s a workhorse. Because it has mounts for racks and mudguards, it transitions from a weekend warrior to a weekday commuter better than almost any "racing" gravel bike.
It’s also surprisingly capable as a "winter bike" for roadies. Throw some slicks on it and you have a machine that can handle salted roads and grime without you worrying about ruining your $10,000 carbon rig.
The finish quality is what really gets people. The paint is thick and durable. The welds are tidy, if not quite as smoothed-out as a premium Trek or Cannondale. It feels like a tool. It’s a bike designed to be used, not just polished and photographed for Instagram.
Comparing the AF 2 to the competition
If you look at the Specialized Diverge E5 or the Cannondale Topstone, you’re often paying more for the name on the downtube. Those bikes are great, but spec-for-spec, the Van Rysel usually wins.
- Specialized Diverge E5: Often comes with mechanical brakes at the entry level.
- Canyon Grizl: Incredible value, but often out of stock and you can't try it for size in a shop.
- Van Rysel GRVL AF 2: Full hydraulic groupset, top-tier tires, and you can walk into a Decathlon and sit on it.
This accessibility is why it's winning. You don't have to be a bike nerd to buy one. You just have to want to ride.
Misconceptions about Van Rysel
There’s a weird snobbery in cycling. Some people think if you didn't buy it at a boutique local bike shop (LBS), it isn't "real."
That’s nonsense.
Van Rysel is doing more to get people into cycling right now than almost any other brand. They are using their massive scale to bring high-end features—like through-axles and hydraulic groupsets—to a price point that doesn't require a second mortgage. The AF 2 is the proof that performance is being democratized.
It isn't a "cheap" bike. It’s an affordable high-performance bike. There is a distinction.
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Is it right for you?
If you want a bike that can do 90% of everything, the answer is probably yes. If you’re a pure road racer who cares about every watt and every gram, you might find it a bit chunky. If you’re a downhill mountain biker, you’ll find it terrifying.
But for the rest of us?
For the person who wants to ride to work, take a detour through the woods, and then go for a 100km epic on Sunday? It’s hard to beat. It removes the barriers. You don't have to worry about fragile carbon frames. You don't have to worry about complex electronics. You just pedal.
Actionable steps for potential buyers
If you are considering picking up a Van Rysel GRVL AF 2, don't just click "buy" online without a bit of prep.
- Check the sizing carefully. Decathlon sizing can run slightly different than US or UK brands. If you're between sizes, generally go smaller for a nippier feel or larger if you want more stability for bikepacking.
- Budget for a tubeless setup. The bike usually ships with inner tubes. Ask the workshop to set it up tubeless before you leave the store. It will transform the ride quality and virtually eliminate pinch flats.
- Inspect the build. While Decathlon mechanics are generally good, these bikes are built in high volumes. Check your derailleur alignment and bolt torques after your first 50 miles.
- Think about the pedals. The bike comes with "flat" pedals that are basically trash. Invest in a decent pair of Shimano SPD (mountain bike style) pedals. You’ll want the double-sided entry when you’re trying to clip in on a muddy slope.
- Get the frame protection. The sage paint is beautiful, but gravel is abrasive. Stick some clear protective tape on the downtube and the chainstays to keep it looking fresh.
The Van Rysel GRVL AF 2 isn't just a "good bike for the money." It's a good bike, period. It represents a shift in the industry where the "entry-level" is now capable of genuine adventure. It’s rugged, it’s honest, and it’s a hell of a lot of fun.