Lapierre XR Team 2013 – Tested | Mountain Bike Web Magazine

As mentioned in the preview published over Lapierre Press Camp 2012, where the French press has presented to the range of products 2013, among all the models we tested what most impressed us during the field test was certainly the Lapierre XR Team.

Model dedicated to x-country race, is the absolute novelty of which Lapierre had already presented the Prototype preview to Roc D'Azur in October and had recently formalized the versions dedicated to the marketing.

The XR Team wheels shall be 29″, and has 100mm of front and rear, for a final weight of the bike just under 10lbs including pedals. Internal cable routing, movement Press-Fit, drop-out 142×12, Brake attack Direct Post Mount components and top of the range for this gem from the elegant lines.

E’ built entirely in high modulus carbon, while unidirectional carbon was used for the models XR729 and XR529.
Carbon also the connecting rod which compresses the shock, that on the opposite side is pivoted to the frame in a seat formed at the center of the eye to seat tube.
Also carbon was given the flexibility of the wagon monocross, As you can see that it is asymmetrical and has no joint between seat stays and chainstays. All these solutions have a dual purpose: to lower the weight of the frame, which in fact reaches an altitude 1.800g, very interesting for a full performance with these, but also that of exploiting the qualities of flexibility and stiffness of its carbon to increase the performance of the frame.

The research and development department of Lapierre has also directed attention to the geometric dimensions, emulating as closely as possible the position of driving a 26″, while maximizing the advantages given by the wheels from 29″. The stem is easily seen in the negative and the bottom bracket rather low, thanks to which the XR also earns an enviable manageability.

The cushion for this model is a Fox Float CTD, provided by Fox a tuning suspension specially developed for this particular. L’ammortizzatore E.I.Shock of Rock Shox, controlled by electronic intelligence, is optional on all three versions of preparation.

During the event we got to chat with Gilles Lapierre, Tues big boss Lapierre Cycles, that has proven to be fascinated by XR Team, enough to define “his favorite” within the range. For this reason we thought would be just Gilles to introduce XR, in the video shot for you.

XR = XL PERFORMANCE. This is the slogan with which Lapierre presents the model XR and we fully agree.
Once up riding this bike once you acquire great confidence and gradually you realize how far the limits to which you can push. The feeling that dominates is the balance. Balanced distribution of weight and geometric dimensions, that allow a central guide and a comfortable riding position, but ready in more aggressive, is the most difficult ascents like the bumpy trail of radiciosi Les Gets (French), that downhill, sliding or techniques that are.
Traction is always optimal and the wheels are touching the ground sembre well even in uncomfortable situations. This allows to maintain the concentration on the effort and the performance, shifts in weight making them forget that often need to be implemented to maintain decent traction.
In the downhill XR shows his need for speed, showing off at high speeds with incredible stability and handiness, due to the driving position and low collection, it also allows a lot of agility to change direction suddenly. During the test has performed well even on some small jump and drop found on path.
In conclusion we can say that the XR, as good as born XC race, certainly striking for its versatility. He has qualities of speed and acceleration, stability and handling, lightness and stiffness, allowing it to be appreciated even on long trips where the stopwatch is not the protagonist, thanks to the pleasant sensation of smooth riding that transmits in every driving situation.