Lapierre has been distributed in the U.S. by SBS for their road bikes, which is all that’s come stateside through 2013. The big news for them is that 2014 represents the first model year they’ll be able to bring their full line into the US. With Specialized’s FSR-related patents expiring, their full suspension bikes can come in without any hassle. And come they will, but that’s not all.
Their 2014 road bikes are made of up both race and endurance models, plus a new cyclocross and TT/triathlon model. Mountain bikes have four model ranges, from 27.5″ enduro bikes to 29er XC race rockets, most with their Rockshox E:I collaboration electronic suspension technology on at least one model.
To kick things off, Lapierre is only bringing 27.5″ and 29er bike to the US. We’ve covered the completely redesigned Zesty and Spicy when they launched at the Pass Portes du Soleil (plus ride reviews here and here). Here, we’ll weigh those, show off the production color schemes, and go over some of the technologies and materials used on them and the 29er bikes, the XR (above) and Zesty.
WHAT MAKES THEIR SUSPENSION & FRAMES DIFFERENT?
OST+ is the latest version of their Optimized Suspension Technology. It’s a Horst Link system, but uses the geometry and pivot placement to add a natural anti-bob effect. They say this eliminates the need for any sort of “gray matter” type platform shock by putting the virtual pivot point just above and in front of the BB center, which creates a counter torque in the sagged position. So, as you pedal, it always wants to pull it into the neutral position. Pics throughout the post help tell the story.
For 2014 OST+ bikes, they get an updated linkage, 12×142 rear axles, ISCG tabs, PFBB92 bottom brackets, internal cable routing and downtube protectors. They also build in a small carbon fiber fairing that protects the rear derailleur. The downtube protector bolts on and covers the cable exit ports. Remove it and cable changes and repairs are made much easier. There’s also external routing if you prefer to keep your brake hose on the outside, which could double as remote dropper post routing.
The E:I electronic suspension system controls the rear shock compression damping by measuring pedaling cadence and fork input to automatically and virtually instantly change the shock between lockout, pedal and open. We’ve covered that technology’s launch here. It’ll be about an $800 upcharge on any model that has it as an option.
The bikes are either carbon or Supreme6 alloy. That alloy claims to be 12% stronger and 1.5% lighter than 7005 and, thanks to it’s microstructure, will last longer.
The XR is their full carbon 100mm 29er XC race bike with 12×142 rear thru axle. It has a pivotless rear triangle that relies on a bit of seatstay flex (much like the original Sugar/Fuel bikes) It was introduced at Roc d’Azur a couple years ago as a 2013 model, but now gets the E:I at the top level for $7,700 with XX1, X0 brakes, Fox 32 CTD Factory fork and Easton EA/EC90 bits.
The $5,700 729 keeps the E:Iessentially only drops down to X01, Elixir 7 brakes, Easton EA70 bits and SID RL fork. It’s still very light. Below that is the 529, which is available with or without the E:I shock ($3,900 or $4,700) and gets an SLX/XT mix, Reba fork and Elixir 7 brakes.
The XR 729 weighs in at 24.71lbs (11.21kg).
The Zesty Trail is a 29er with 120mm travel and has a bit stiffer suspension settings than the longer travel Zesty AM with 27.5″ wheels. Compared to that one, the 29er’s BB drops a bit more, but linkage and bearing technology is the same.
The top Zesty 929 and 729 models will have the carbon front triangle with an XX1 or X01 setup. Both come with the E:I suspension as standard equipment.
The Zesty 529 and 429 drop to a 2×10 setup with E:I suspension options but with full Supreme6 alloy frames.
The base level Zesty 329 gives you the non-E:I suspension for just $2,800 with a SLX/XT/X7 drivetrain and a mix of parts from Avid, Easton, SDG and Formula.
The Zesty 729 comes in at 26.61lbs (12.07kg)
The X01 Zesty AM 727 (650B) bike comes in at 28.28lbs (12.82kg).
The Zesty 527 is 31.13lbs (14.12kg).
2014 LAPIERRE ROAD & TRIATHLON BIKES
The Xelius EFI is a pro-level race bike that essentially builds two halves of a bike into one. The top half, including the seat tube, uses high resistance carbon for better compliance, and the bottom half, from the dropouts all the way up through the head tube, is high modulus for better stiffness. It’s a monocoque carbon frame with a claimed weight of 890g (55, painted), and the fork is about 290g. Overall, it’s about 80g lighter than the prior model thanks to a revised layup. It’s a full carbon frame, including the dropout, and it’s ready for any mechanical or electronic group set.
The headtube tapers from 1-1/8″ to 1-1/4″ with a bit of an aero profile. It runs down to the bottom bracket, with continuous fibers running from the downtube to the chainstays for better overall strength and stiffness.
The seat stays are also shaped to cheat the wind a bit, and they hide the rear brake without creating a chunky monostay design. The full carbon dropouts sandwich the derailleur hanger
The Xelius 800 comes with a full Dura-Ace group, Mavic R-SYS WTS (wheel tire system), 3T cockpit with new ARX Team Stealth stem and Stylus Team Stealth post with Fizik carbon-railed saddle for $7,300. Weight is 14.15lbs (6.42kg).
The 600 gets Ultegra Di2, weight is 15.9lbs (7.21kg). The 400 gets standard 11-speed Ultegra with Ritchey cockpit for $3,500. The base model is the 100 but has the same top level carbon frame.
The Sensium is their endurance road bike. It has a 6mm longer wheelbase, 5mm shorter top tube and 5mm taller headtube than the Xelius. It uses a monocoque front triangle with tube to tube stays. All come with a full carbon Lapierre fork using the same minimal taper as the Xelius. Where the Xelius uses 23c tires, the Sensium gets 25c tires. It even gets a thicker, cushier bar tape.
The top level Sensium 500 has the new Ultegra Di2 with internal battery, compact crankset, Mavic Ksyrium Equipe WTS with Ritchey cockpit for $4,200.
Weight is 17.26lbs (7.83kg).
For 2014, there’s a new women’s version that has a 8mm lower BB, and slightly shorter wheelbase and reach, slacker seat angle and taller headtube. They’ll have three sizes available, and all will be spec’d with shorter stems and handlebar reach and drop.
Weight is 18.52lbs (8.4kg).
They weren’t showing the 2014 AeroStorm TT/Triathlon bike, but it’ll get significant changes compared to the 2013 model shown here. Thanks to wind tunnel testing, they reduced drag from the 2013 model. They also added internal battery storage for Di2/EPS systems in the downtube with panel access near the headtube.
The two position seatpost lets it work equally well for time trial and triathlon, and it’ll get a more traditional inserts-in-the-frame design rather than this sliding system. Available only as a frameset.
CYCLOCROSS
The new Cross Carbon tops out with an FDJ team replica model. It’s new for 2014 and gets disc brakes on the complete bike, but the frame is ready for cantilevers, too. It’ll be $3,000 with Ultegra shifters and rear derailleur, BB7 brakes. Frameset is $2,000, making the complete bike a much better deal. Weight is 21.05lbs (9.55kg).
On the right is the alloy cantilever model at 21.19lbs (9.61kg).
All bikes have a 1 year paint/decal warranty and 5 years on the frame. Any Lapierre parts carry a 2 year warranty. Their Cedar Code is a unique serial number code for each bike that you can submit via SMS or online to verify that it’s a real Lapierre, and not a counterfeit.
