Lapierre has been producing mountain bikes since the 1980s, but they haven’t been available in the US–until now.
You might remember Lapierre from their unique electronic suspension partnership with Rock Shox. Their computer-controlled shock is known as “e:i” for Electronic Intelligence. According to Lapierre:
A pod attached to the damper contains a servo motor which alters the rear shock’s damping from locked out to open in .01 seconds. A sensor on the crank, hidden in the BB shell, determines if the rider is pedaling, while accelerometers located on the stem cap and the fork register the severity of each impact before the rear wheel hits the bump.
This computer-controlled suspension is in evidence on all of Lapierre’s new-and-improved 2014 mountain bikes.
Spicy Team
The Spicy Team is world-class Lapierre athlete Nico Vouilloz’s ride of choice. Coming stock with 27.5in wheels, it is convertible to 26in if you so desire. This bike is built for enduro superiority, with 150mm of rear suspension and 160mm of front suspension and a 66.5-degree headtube angle. The mostly-carbon frame (save for aluminum chainstays) and SRAM XX1 build will retail for $8,000 US, with more affordable models bottoming out at $4,500.
Zesty AM
The Zesty AM has an extremely similar frame to the Spicy, but is a slightly dialed-back version with only a 150mm fork and tweaked geometry. Compared to the Spicy frame, the Zesty has “a slightly steeper [head tube angle], longer top tube, and a steeper seat tube.” Available in a wide range of models, prices range from $8,000 down to $2,900.
Zesty Trail
An even shorter travel version of the same rig, the Zesty Trail sports 120mm of suspension and 29in wheels instead of the 27.5s. Prices range from $7,700 down to $2,800.
XR
The XR is Lapierre’s dedicated XC race whip. Sporting 29er wheels and 100mm of suspension front and back, it’s very similar to other XC race bikes on the market. However, the unique rear suspension design on the XR is very eye-catching. According to Lapierre, the XR uses their “mono-pivot system, [so] the frame design ensures critical weight loss and maximizes stiffness, [while] creating superb sprint and climbing characteristics.” However, they claim that with the inclusion of the e:i suspension the bike is “equally good on the descents.” Prices range from $7,700 down to $5,700.
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Oct 2, 2013
Oct 2, 2013
Jan 10, 2017