Lapierre is back in the cross country game, and it’s ready to ride for the podium with thoroughly updated XR and XRM models. The updates focus on weight, geometry, and kinematics, taking the third generation of XR to new heights.
The Lapierre XR first launched in 2013 as a cross-country race-ready alternative to the Lapierre X-Control. The Lapierre XRM is a more capable version of the XR, with a bit more weight but more travel; the XRM is designed to tackle trail features and take on gnarly obstacles or serve as the perfect marathon race bike.
Whats New — Lapierre XR & XRM
The last update to the Lapierre XR line was in 2017, and a lot has changed in the cross-country world since then. Lapierre must have been watching closely at the trends as the updated XR and XRM appear ready to take on the big dogs of cross country.
The XR is the lighter, more race-focused of the two new frame offerings, with 100mm of front and rear travel, available in a standard carbon, and an optimized carbon layup for added weight reduction. The XRM bumps the travel up to 120mm front and 110mm rear, not focused on weight reduction but more so on versatility.
Trimming the fat
Lapierre made it no secret that weight reduction was a critical design focus for the XR line. While pushing for lighter frames, Lapierre refined its carbon manufacturing process. Moving from standard pre-impregnated unidirectional carbon fiber to a new carbon construction method, it calls UD SLI (Unidirectional Superlight Innovation). Utilizing unidirectional Torayca carbon fibers, praised for exceptional lightness, strength, and stiffness. Lapierre can keep the strength of the frame high and the weight relatively low, for the cross country experts.
Lapierre developed a new polypropylene rigid mandrel to optimize these new UD SLI fibers. This mandrel gives greater precision in the layup process, and better compression of the fibers in the mold. The goal was to do away with excess resin while maintaining a frame that can put up with the rigors of mountain bike riding.
Wouldn’t a lighter, thinner frame crack easier? Lapierre says the new layup process is stronger than the previous and is optimized to keep strength in high-impact areas. Lapierre states there are over 300 sheets of carbon fiber per frame, and because of the strength, it has been possible to reduce the thickness of the tubes wherever possible.
Lapierre shaved a lot of weight from simplifying the rear triangle, removing pivots, and thinning out the seat stays, resulting in a claimed 90g saving. Thanks to the new UD SLI layup, the chainstays are nice and stiff, somewhat bulky but have thinner walls.
Lapierre claims a bare frame (excluding the shock, bearings, and bolt hardware) of the XR / XRM Team comes in at 1,772g. The standard version of the bare frame comes in at 1,970g.
Lapierre XR and XRM updated suspension
Another focus on the updated XR and XRM was suspension kinematics. Lapierre changed the rear shock placement and, with the new pivotless and thinned-out rear triangle, developed a unique suspension they dubbed Optimised Sensitivity System.
Lapierre suspension engineers moved the shock underneath the top tube to compress more directly. They also placed the pivot above the bottom bracket and slightly higher than the previous years to counteract pedal kickback when the suspension compresses. The change reduced stress on the seat tube, and a molded carbon “shield” helps protect the stanchions from bits of trail debris.
Lapierre says the kinematics of the new flex seat stays allows a constant sag as they maintain a neutral position when the sag is set at 26 percent, independent of the rider’s weight.
New Geomtery Lapierre XR and XRM
The Lapierre XR and XRM join other mountain bike manufacturers, moving towards a longer reach, steeper seat tube angle, and slacker head angle. The XR features a reasonably relaxed (for XC) 67-degree head tube angle, and the XRM gets a full degree drop to 66-degrees. The seat tube angle is steepened by one degree from the outgoing model to 75.5 degrees on the XR but remains 74.5 degrees on the XRM.
The updated frames feature internal cable routing, guided by a Kevlar-lined mold through the front triangle, exiting near the central pivot and entering again at the rear triangle. Both models used a PF 92 press-fit bottom bracket.
Lapierre XR Geometry
Lapierre XRM Geometry
Models and pricing
The new XR is available in three different builds ranging from entry-level race to SRAM Eagle XX1. No prices have been released for the Lapierre XR / XRM line builds.
Lapierre XR 5.9
- Frame: New XR carbon, 100mm travel
- Fork: Fox Rhythm 32 Float 3, 100mm travel, 44mm offset
- Shock: Fox Float DPS, Performance Series
- Drivetrain: SRAM SX Eagle with GX Eagle rear derailleur
- Brakes: SRAM Level T
- Wheelset: Mavic XC 425 rims on Lapierre DR813 hubs
Lapierre XR 7.9
- Frame: New XR carbon, 100mm travel
- Fork: Fox 32 Performance Series Float 3, 100mm travel, 44mm offset
- Shock: Fox Float DPS, Performance Series
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle with X01 Eagle rear derailleur and NX Eagle chain
- Brakes: SRAM Level TL
- Wheelset: DT Swiss X1900 Spline
Lapierre XR 9.9
- Frame: New XR carbon, Team layup, 100mm travel
- Fork: RockShox SID Ultimate Charger Race Day Remote, 100mm travel, 44mm offset
- Shock: RockShox SID Luxe Ultimate Remote
- Drivetrain: SRAM X01 Eagle with XX1 Eagle rear derailleur and X1 chainset
- Brakes: SRAM Level TLM
- Wheelset: Lapierre Carbon XC SL
The Lapierre XRM is available in two comparative builds; one SRAM and one Shimano, ready to tackle the trails and races.
Lapierre XRM 6.9
- Frame: New XRM carbon, 110mm travel
- Fork: RockShox SID Select Charger RL, 120mm travel, 44mm offset
- Shock: RockShox SID Luxe Select+
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle with NX Eagle chain
- Brakes: SRAM Level T
- Wheelset: Mavic XC 425 rims on Lapierre DR813 hubs
Lapierre XRM 8.9
- Frame: New XRM carbon, 110mm travel
- Fork: Fox 34 SC Factory Series Float, 120mm travel, 44mm offset
- Shock: Fox Float DPS Factory Series
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore M6100 with XT rear derailleur and chainset
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Wheelset: DT Swiss XM1700 Spline
Check back for more information and updated pricing, or check Lapierre.com
