Lapierre is again within the cross nation sport, and it’s able to experience for the rostrum with totally up to date XR and XRM fashions. The updates deal with weight, geometry, and kinematics, taking the third era of XR to new heights.

The Lapierre XR first launched in 2013 as a cross-country race-ready different to the Lapierre X-Management. The Lapierre XRM is a extra succesful model of the XR, with a bit extra weight however extra journey; the XRM is designed to deal with path options and tackle gnarly obstacles or function the proper marathon race bike.

Whats New — Lapierre XR & XRM

The final replace to the Lapierre XR line was in 2017, and loads has modified within the cross-country world since then. Lapierre should have been watching carefully on the traits because the up to date XR and XRM seem able to tackle the large canine of cross nation.

The XR is the lighter, extra race-focused of the 2 new body choices, with 100mm of entrance and rear journey, accessible in an ordinary carbon, and an optimized carbon layup for added weight discount. The XRM bumps the journey as much as 120mm entrance and 110mm rear, not centered on weight discount however extra so on versatility.

Trimming the fats

Lapierre made it no secret that weight discount was a important design focus for the XR line. Whereas pushing for lighter frames, Lapierre refined its carbon manufacturing course of. Shifting from customary pre-impregnated unidirectional carbon fiber to a brand new carbon building technique, it calls UD SLI (Unidirectional Superlight Innovation). Using unidirectional Torayca carbon fibers, praised for distinctive lightness, power, and stiffness. Lapierre can preserve the power of the body excessive and the burden comparatively low, for the cross nation specialists.

Lapierre developed a brand new polypropylene inflexible mandrel to optimize these new UD SLI fibers. This mandrel provides better precision within the layup course of, and higher compression of the fibers within the mould. The objective was to put off extra resin whereas sustaining a body that may put up with the pains of mountain bike using.

Wouldn’t a lighter, thinner body crack simpler? Lapierre says the brand new layup course of is stronger than the earlier and is optimized to maintain power in high-impact areas. Lapierre states there are over 300 sheets of carbon fiber per body, and due to the power, it has been potential to scale back the thickness of the tubes wherever potential.

Lapierre shaved loads of weight from simplifying the rear triangle, eradicating pivots, and scaling down the seat stays, leading to a claimed 90g saving. Due to the brand new UD SLI layup, the chainstays are good and stiff, considerably cumbersome however have thinner partitions.

Lapierre claims a naked body (excluding the shock, bearings, and bolt {hardware}) of the XR / XRM Workforce is available in at 1,772g. The usual model of the naked body is available in at 1,970g.

Lapierre XR and XRM up to date suspension

One other deal with the up to date XR and XRM was suspension kinematics. Lapierre modified the rear shock placement and, with the brand new pivotless and thinned-out rear triangle, developed a novel suspension they dubbed Optimised Sensitivity System.

Lapierre suspension engineers moved the shock beneath the highest tube to compress extra immediately. Additionally they positioned the pivot above the underside bracket and barely greater than the earlier years to counteract pedal kickback when the suspension compresses. The change lowered stress on the seat tube, and a molded carbon “protect” helps defend the stanchions from bits of path particles.

Lapierre says the kinematics of the brand new flex seat stays permits a relentless sag as they preserve a impartial place when the sag is ready at 26 p.c, unbiased of the rider’s weight.

New Geomtery Lapierre XR and XRM

The Lapierre XR and XRM be a part of different mountain bike producers, shifting in direction of an extended attain, steeper seat tube angle, and slacker head angle. The XR includes a fairly relaxed (for XC) 67-degree head tube angle, and the XRM will get a full diploma drop to 66-degrees. The seat tube angle is steepened by one diploma from the outgoing mannequin to 75.5 levels on the XR however stays 74.5 levels on the XRM.

The up to date frames characteristic inner cable routing, guided by a Kevlar-lined mould by way of the entrance triangle, exiting close to the central pivot and coming into once more on the rear triangle. Each fashions used a PF 92 press-fit backside bracket.

Lapierre XR Geometry

Lapierre XRM Geometry

Fashions and pricing

The brand new XR is out there in three completely different builds starting from entry-level race to SRAM Eagle XX1. No costs have been launched for the Lapierre XR / XRM line builds.

Lapierre XR 5.9

• Body: New XR carbon, 100mm journey
• Fork: Fox Rhythm 32 Float 3, 100mm journey, 44mm offset
• Shock: Fox Float DPS, Efficiency Collection
• Drivetrain: SRAM SX Eagle with GX Eagle rear derailleur
• Brakes: SRAM Degree T
• Wheelset: Mavic XC 425 rims on Lapierre DR813 hubs

Lapierre XR 7.9

• Body: New XR carbon, 100mm journey
• Fork: Fox 32 Efficiency Collection Float 3, 100mm journey, 44mm offset
• Shock: Fox Float DPS, Efficiency Collection
• Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle with X01 Eagle rear derailleur and NX Eagle chain
• Brakes: SRAM Degree TL
• Wheelset: DT Swiss X1900 Spline

Lapierre XR 9.9

• Body: New XR carbon, Workforce layup, 100mm journey
• Fork: RockShox SID Final Charger Race Day Distant, 100mm journey, 44mm offset
• Shock: RockShox SID Luxe Final Distant
• Drivetrain: SRAM X01 Eagle with XX1 Eagle rear derailleur and X1 chainset
• Brakes: SRAM Degree TLM
• Wheelset: Lapierre Carbon XC SL

The Lapierre XRM is out there in two comparative builds; one SRAM and one Shimano, able to deal with the paths and races.

Lapierre XRM 6.9

• Body: New XRM carbon, 110mm journey
• Fork: RockShox SID Choose Charger RL, 120mm journey, 44mm offset
• Shock: RockShox SID Luxe Choose+
• Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle with NX Eagle chain
• Brakes: SRAM Degree T
• Wheelset: Mavic XC 425 rims on Lapierre DR813 hubs

Lapierre XRM 8.9

• Body: New XRM carbon, 110mm journey
• Fork: Fox 34 SC Manufacturing facility Collection Float, 120mm journey, 44mm offset
• Shock: Fox Float DPS Manufacturing facility Collection
• Drivetrain: Shimano Deore M6100 with XT rear derailleur and chainset
• Brakes: Shimano XT
• Wheelset: DT Swiss XM1700 Spline

Verify again for extra data and up to date pricing, or verify Lapierre.com