This is the Norwegian-Danish team’s first men’s Tour de France, after receiving the 2023 wildcard invitation, and they’ll be riding a Tour debutant, the Dare VSRu. Both team and bike brand are relatively small-scale in comparison to the bigger behemoths of the cycling world but still hope to pack a punch working with sponsors such as Schwalbe and DT Swiss.
Smaller scale means smaller budget and less ability to splash the cash on all new components ahead of the Tour. We got a closer look at Jonas Gregaard’s bike, which definitely looks like it already has some miles in, with scuffed chainrings, worn-in rotors and chainstay marks. Whether it’s by necessity or eco-friendly reasons, we’re here for it – down with wanton bike waste.
The VSRu is pretty funky in itself, with an aggressively slimmed head tube that is so skinny its bearings are poking out, and sections of visible raw carbon weave across the bike. This doesn’t seem to be the standard paintjob so is potentially a weight-saving race attire. Dare has also done an excellent job at self-promotion with the branding on the cockpit – you couldn’t miss it if you tried.
(Side note: We hope you’ll forgive our unconventional placing of the stand. It was very windy and a nervous team mechanic was watching us like a hawk lest we drop their precious bike.)
Jonas Gregaard’s Dare VSRu spec
Frameset | Dare VSRu |
Levers | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed |
Brakes | Shimano Dura-Ace, 140mm rotors |
Rear derailleur | Shimano Dura-Ace direct mount |
Front derailleur | Shimano Dura-Ace |
Crankset | Shimano Dura-Ace 54/40 172.5mm |
Cassette | Dura Ace 11-34 |
Chain | Shimano XTR 12-speed chain M-9100 |
Wheels | DT Swiss Arc 1100 |
Tyres | Schwalbe Pro One Addix 25mm |
Cockpit | Dare Aero1v, 37cm bar 130mm stem |
Headset | Unknown |
Seatpost | VSRu aerodynamic |
Saddle | Pro Stealth Team carbon rail |
Pedals | Dura-Ace R9100 |
Accessories | Elite Leggero carbon bottle cages, K-Edge chain catcher |
Measurements | |
Frame size | |
Rider height | 1.84m |
Rider weight | 66kg |
Complete bike weight | 7.5kg |
Saddle height, BB to saddle (c-t) | 77cm |
Tip of saddle to middle of bar | 62cm |
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