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New 2015 Lapierre Mountain Bikes, Electronic Suspension Tech & A La Carte Ordering

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Lapierre ei auto shock sensors computer 2

After introducing an intelligent electronic suspension system over the last couple years on their full range of trail and all mountain bikes, Lapierre has completely rethought and revised the system to be simpler and more efficient. They’re so proud of what they’ve accomplished, they claim it “could be the most important innovation on [their] future MTB ranges.”

So what makes this e:i shock special? Drop past the break to learn that and more…

E:I AutoLapierre ei shock sensors

 

At the most basic level, their e:i shock uses accelerometers to measure the speed of intensity of impacts, plus the frequency of pedaling, to adjust the suspension.

Lapierre ei auto shock sensors computer

To make the electronics integration seamless, the new e:i Shock Auto has no handlebar computer in the traditional sense. This means less wires, and a cleaner cockpit (which also clears up room for your Garmin). The brains of the system are now tucked away on the side of the stem, where they will be less vulnerable in a crash.

The new system has two modes, Auto and Manual, with three different sensitivity levels that are color coded: Open (green), Medium (orange), and Locked (green). Minimum cadence has also dropped from 45 to 35 rpm.

Ei Auto Shock New Smaller Battery

In addition to the sleeker interface, Lapierre has developed a new battery which is much smaller, and works for up to 25 hours (of trail time) on a 1.2 hr charge. The previous battery occupied one of the bottle mounts, but the new juice packet is small enough that it is now bottle cage compatible. Mechanics will also appreciate that the new system only has two wires, rather than three. New connectors, and a plug and play interface, should also make assembly and maintenance easier.

New Spec

Lapierre Zesty AM 827 2015

In terms of spec, Lapierre has made some big changes for this year. Going forward, all of their bikes will be spec’d with a dropper post, with the exception of their entry level XC Marathon bike (the Zesty TR 329).

Further changes included no more OEM Easton wheelsets, only SRAM Roam/Rail or Race Face Turbine, and no more Formula Brakes. For 2015, all of their bikes will only be equipped with either SRAM Guide or Shimano Ispec brakes, and a new Nico Vouilloz Signature cockpit, which also includes a new “stiff, light, and sexy 7075 CNC stem.”

Perhaps the change we’re most excited about though, is that a 35mm RockShox Pike will now be found on the 150mm travel Lapierre Zesty, rather than the 32mm forks they previously spec’d.

The Bikes

2015 Lapierre Spicy
Lapierre Spicy 527

We’re still waiting on info for pricing, and full spec list, but here’s a few images of the bold new 2015 paint schemes.

Lapierre Zesty AM 327 2015
Lapierre Zesty AM 327
Lapierre Zesty AM 427
Lapierre Zesty AM 427
2015 Lapierre Zesty AM 527
Lapierre Zesty AM 527
Lapierre Zesty TR 329 2015
Lapierre Zesty TR 329
Lapierre Zesty TR 429 2015
Lapierre Zesty TR 429
Lapierre Zesty TR 529 2015
Lapierre Zesty TR 529

Lapierre DH Bike  (2)

Lapierre also debuted a new downhill bike a few weeks ago, you can check out all the details here.

A La Carte

Lapierre Ultimate Screenshot

On the web side, Lapierre is also introducing a new online configurator called Ultimate. This program allows you to build bikes a la carte, so you can customize the saddle/seatpost, groupset, wheels, and more. The program is currently available only for road bikes, but mountain bikes will be launched soon. The company is promising to release more details later this year at Eurobike.

For more, Visit Lapierre Bikes

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Big Cow
Big Cow
10 years ago

thats great and all, but why did they have to beat them all with the ugly stick?

Al Boneta
Al Boneta
10 years ago

Love my Spicy Team, it’s such a fun bike to ride

Andrew
Andrew
10 years ago

What’s the bike in the diagram? looks like it’s running an RS1.

I want it.

MulletRacer
MulletRacer
10 years ago

What the hell is wrong with a handlebar mounted lockout???

Fancy technology is great and all, but seriously…

I have been demo riding an Epic lately. The bike is downright scary to right. its like the rear suspension has a mind of its own.

Jb
Jb
10 years ago

Don’t compare this to an EPIC mullet. This is worlds above.

JM
JM
10 years ago

One of the biggest issue with the Zesty/Spicy 2014 range was the very wide rear stays. Has this issue been resolved in the 2015 range?

Dr. Sartorious
Dr. Sartorious
10 years ago

What’s the fallback when the battery runs out? Does it lockout with lack of power?

Which reminds me of the low-normal derailleurs: Great idea. If your cable were to ever break, you’d be on the lowest gear to help get you out of the bottom of Downieville four years ago.

GN
GN
10 years ago

Wonder if LaPierre will have a IE upgrade option for current owners? Switching from a Bronson to a Spicy Team has changed my opinion of how suspension should feel. Much more efficient on the climbs and much, much more plush when not pedaling. Comparing Spicy team to a Bronson or Mach6 in descend mode is always a compromise between plushness/sensitivity and efficiency no matter how you valve the rear shock. Biggest challenge in the US is getting ahold of them, which hopefully gets easier.

Production Spicy team chain stays were narrower than my old Bronson and quite a bit stiffer laterally as well.

IMHO, handlebar lockout is ok if you only switch once in a while, such as turn onto a dirt road or switch from a climb to descend. IE will often switch between modes potentially hundreds of times a minute based on when you hit bumps or sprint for 10 pedal strokes out of a corner. Then automatically switching back to descend mode as soon as your not pedaling. Its impossible to do that with a manual remote. It can be manually set to open or locked as well, but in “auto” it basically takes the “forgot to switch my shock out of climb mode” off the table.

When your battery runs out, your in just in descend mode, which is how most people ride 99% of the time on other bikes anyway.

Bill Gates
10 years ago

These bikes look straight up ugly. I think the Specialized Epic is a better bike with the Brain system.

josh
10 years ago

All you Specialized people have no clue what you guys are talking about. This is not a Brain. The brain system works off of inertia, which you have to hit something before it activates which creates a very harsh ride.

The EI works off of the front shock and cadence. While you are pedaling it keeps the rear end stiff. If your front wheel hits something it sends the signal to the rear and opens the rear. Meaning your shock is open when you hit the obstacle and not locked like the specialized.

The Specialized brain is like a blind man in a boxing match. It does not react until it has been punched. The Lapierre reacts before it gets hit so it is actually ready to absorb the bump.

JM
JM
10 years ago

GN…. Sounds like you picked up a spicy team frame with the second gen rear stays. The first production of zesty/Spicy frames had massively wide chain/seat stays causing alot of heel rub while pedaling. Lapierre started swapping them under warranty, so I expect the 2015 range would have gone with the 2nd gen narrower stays. Surprised none of the media mentioned this about the new models?

I was also under the impression the EI had an override adjustment bolt for adjusting the suspension model when the battery dies.

GN
GN
10 years ago

Josh, your completely correct. Its funny how many people compare this to inertial valve’s, which are the farthest thing from IE.

JM. I know the early Zesty frames wide chainstays, but Spicy Teams were super, super limited and hard to get. The all black Spicy Teams most reviews were based off were pre-production I believe. Yes, forgot about the manual override setting as well, haven’t ever had to use it. One review somewhere was complaining how there was only a “Auto2” but no Auto1 setting, which basically means they didn’t spend 30 seconds with the computer manual. There are currently five “Auto” settings which it sounds like they are reducing from five three. If you compare this to a Float/Monarch, think of this as custom tuning the “Pedal” or “Trail” setting in five or now three tunes via the bike computer.

Ashley Swann
Ashley Swann
10 years ago

The Ei system is currently the most advanced suspension system we have seen… The new system in the flesh is so neat and tidy and offers the same features of the previous years system with a more reliable circuit… With 3 easy to set sensitivity settings for Auto+, plus an easy button system for lockout or open override options… Getting rid of the computer was a must, there was no need to indicate speed on a screen as it is irrelevant (the chip that manges the system already knows the speed) and adjusts Ei relay accordingly… Plus most riders use GPS for any real speed distance measurement… This is in no way like any other brand on the market, the speed and bump sensitivity is one thing, but the cadence sensors puts any Ei bike in a league of its own, nothing can change a bikes performance as quickly and efficiently as the Ei relay, and whilst there is more cables and batteries, these components of the ei system have proven reliable (And even more reliable without the old style computer head unit)…
As for seat stays, this was an issue, it’s been resolved on the new 2015 bikes, they were incorrect on the first run of bikes for 2014, intentions for this were good, the rear end is the stiffest I have ridden… As for appearance, these look so much better in the flesh aswell, colours are bright this year, I think the Enduro market screams for this #enfluro bright is in, and sales have dictated this… Some really fashionable marketing brands sell only to the elitest that wants a flat black bike, too cool to add colour… Lapierre create bikes that are for fun, and their colour ways express this… It’s love or hate, but they look amazing to me… Test ride an Ei bike and you will agree…

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