2011 Lapierre DH Team: In Detail
Chatel, France, is host to Lapierre's official launch of their new yet to be released 2011 DH-Team race bike. I've spent the day riding in the bike park on the new machine and have a good idea of how the new bike performs which you'll get to read about soon, but for now have a look at some detailed photos of the new bike and some of its unique features. Lots of pictures inside!
Read on...![photo]()
2011 Lapierre DH-Team
While still months away from production, Lapierre's new 2011 downhill platform is stirring up a hornet's nest of curiosity. Their previous FPS design was used to great success for many years on tracks all around the world, but they've partnered up with all-time great Nicolas Vouilloz again to release an entirely new model. The new bike heads off in an entirely new direction for Lapierre, forgoing the virtual pivot dual link design for a linkage driven single pivot and floating bottom bracket combination, as well as revised slacker and longer geometry. I spent nearly the entire day aboard the new high end 2011 Team DH model riding the lifts in Chatel, France, to get an idea of how the bike performs, so stay tuned for a more in depth update in the coming days. For now read the specs and have a look at the pictures below!
![photo]()
When the new bike does become available (possibly sometime in November) you will be able to choose between two models, a team model that closely resembles the bikes that Sam Blenkinsop and the rest of the team are racing on, and the less expensive DH-720. If you opt for the DH-720 you'll be pleased to know that it uses the exact same frame as the top end bike. A frame only option will be available for those who want to build it up with parts of their choice. The bike pictured here is the DH-Team and it is the model that I rode today in Chatel.
![photo]()
![photo]()
Lapierre's new DH platform takes a completely different route for rear suspension duties when compared to their dual link FPS design. The bike uses a single pivot with a few twists to address some of the perceived shortcomings of the classic design. The shock is activated via a compact linkage that allows the engineers at Lapierre to dial in the exact leverage ratio that they are looking for, as well as helping to isolate the shock from side loads that could affect its life span. They've also worked closely with Fox nail down the correct shock tune as opposed to simply bolting up a standard shock. As is always the case with Lapierre, all pivot hardware is anodized aluminum and the finishing on all suspension parts is impressive.
![photo]()
From the driveside of the bike it may look like a straight forward, albeit well executed design. Turn the bike around and you'll discover that there is more to the new machine than you may have first noticed. At the bottom of the bike you'll spot what Lapierre has dubbed the 'Pendbox'. With the Pendbox, Lapierre claims to have been able to completely disassociate suspension design from pedaling concerns while they were designing the new bike. In other words, they were able to engineer what they feel to be the best suspension possible without having to worry about how it will affect the bike's pedaling characteristics. The addition of the Pendbox to the system keeps the chain taut during sprints and while the bottom bracket does move as the suspension goes through its travel, total motion is said to be only about 5 mm.
![photo]()
Although the addition of the Pendbox certainly adds some complication to the bike, the designers feel that the trade off is worth it. In today's highly competitive world of downhill racing, from World Cups to timed runs on your local hill, a bike needs to both have great suspension performance and be able to pedal well when the time comes to sprint out of a corner. The goal by using the Pendbox is to be able to handle both duties and handle them very well. Just as can be found on the main pivots, the Pendbox rotates on sealed bearings and is held together with anodized aluminum hardware. You'll also find ISCG-05 chain guide tabs and a Press Fit bottom bracket shell.
![photo]()
The rear of the DH Team (as well as the DH-720) sports a mostly carbon swingarm that not only looks great, but also presumably shaves valuable grams from an already light frame. Although the carbon section does look like two separate pieces, they are actually one unit that is tied together by a compact carbon bridge. The forward section of the swingarm that's housing both the main pivot and the mounting point for the suspension's pushrod is an aluminum unit, as are the bolt on rear dropouts on both the drive and non-drive sides. Both the shift and brake lines can be routed internally for more protection and a cleaner look. Tying the 12 x 150 mm rear end together is an anodized gold aluminum axle.
![photo]()
![photo]()
Adjustability can be key when trying to dial in a bike to how you prefer it to handle or even for a specific course. There are quite a few bikes out there that allow the rider to alter their head angles, but not a lot that let you do this without affecting the suspension performance of drastically changing other angles. By using a sleeve within the bike's headtube Lapierre has kept head angle adjustments separate from affecting other adjustments. While eccentric headtube sleeves are nothing new, this one abandons the usual portly pinch bolts that would otherwise hold it in place. You can alter the angle by one full degree in half degree jumps from 64 to 63 degrees.
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
Stay tuned for my riding impressions from my time on the Lapierre DH Team in Chatel, France!
What do you think of the new DH bike from Lapierre? Let us know below!
Visit Lapierre's website to see their entire lineup.
Check out the Lapierre team at the most recent WC DH Race:
mtbcut.pinkbike.com
Read on...
New for 2011, the Lapierre DH Team
While still months away from production, Lapierre's new 2011 downhill platform is stirring up a hornet's nest of curiosity. Their previous FPS design was used to great success for many years on tracks all around the world, but they've partnered up with all-time great Nicolas Vouilloz again to release an entirely new model. The new bike heads off in an entirely new direction for Lapierre, forgoing the virtual pivot dual link design for a linkage driven single pivot and floating bottom bracket combination, as well as revised slacker and longer geometry. I spent nearly the entire day aboard the new high end 2011 Team DH model riding the lifts in Chatel, France, to get an idea of how the bike performs, so stay tuned for a more in depth update in the coming days. For now read the specs and have a look at the pictures below!
The rear suspension is a linkage driven single pivot system... with a twist. And yes, that is a mostly carbon swingarm. Take note of the new SRAM cranks as well
When the new bike does become available (possibly sometime in November) you will be able to choose between two models, a team model that closely resembles the bikes that Sam Blenkinsop and the rest of the team are racing on, and the less expensive DH-720. If you opt for the DH-720 you'll be pleased to know that it uses the exact same frame as the top end bike. A frame only option will be available for those who want to build it up with parts of their choice. The bike pictured here is the DH-Team and it is the model that I rode today in Chatel.
In typical Lapierre fashion, ever last detail is finished incredibly well even though this is still a prototype
| 2011 Lapierre DH Team specs | |
| Frame and Size | Lapierre DH-Team •Aluminum front triangle, carbon swingarm •200 mm |
| Rear Shock | Fox DHX RC4 •240 x 76 |
| Fork | Fox 40 RC2 FIT •200 mm travel |
| Headset | Semi integrated |
| Crankarms | SRAM Descendant |
| Chainring | 38t |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM Press Fit |
| Chain | SRAM PC1051 |
| Cassette | SRAM PG1070 11-28T |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM X.O Short cage |
| Shifter Pod | SRAM X.O. 10 speed |
| Handlebar | Easton Haven |
| Stem | Easton Havoc Direct Mount |
| Grips | LP Rubber Lock On |
| Brakes | Formula One 8" rotors |
| Front Wheel | Mavic Deemax •20 mm thru-axle |
| Rear Wheel | Mavic Deemax •12 x 150 mm |
| Tires | Hutchinson Cougar UST 2.6 |
| Saddle | Selle Italia SL |
| Seatpost | Easton Haven •31.6 mm |
All pivot hardware is anodized aluminum
Lapierre's new DH platform takes a completely different route for rear suspension duties when compared to their dual link FPS design. The bike uses a single pivot with a few twists to address some of the perceived shortcomings of the classic design. The shock is activated via a compact linkage that allows the engineers at Lapierre to dial in the exact leverage ratio that they are looking for, as well as helping to isolate the shock from side loads that could affect its life span. They've also worked closely with Fox nail down the correct shock tune as opposed to simply bolting up a standard shock. As is always the case with Lapierre, all pivot hardware is anodized aluminum and the finishing on all suspension parts is impressive.
The Pendbox is a floating bottom bracket that pivots on the front triangle and is activated by a small
link attached to the swingarm just under the main pivot
link attached to the swingarm just under the main pivot
From the driveside of the bike it may look like a straight forward, albeit well executed design. Turn the bike around and you'll discover that there is more to the new machine than you may have first noticed. At the bottom of the bike you'll spot what Lapierre has dubbed the 'Pendbox'. With the Pendbox, Lapierre claims to have been able to completely disassociate suspension design from pedaling concerns while they were designing the new bike. In other words, they were able to engineer what they feel to be the best suspension possible without having to worry about how it will affect the bike's pedaling characteristics. The addition of the Pendbox to the system keeps the chain taut during sprints and while the bottom bracket does move as the suspension goes through its travel, total motion is said to be only about 5 mm.
Lapierre Pendbox detail
Although the addition of the Pendbox certainly adds some complication to the bike, the designers feel that the trade off is worth it. In today's highly competitive world of downhill racing, from World Cups to timed runs on your local hill, a bike needs to both have great suspension performance and be able to pedal well when the time comes to sprint out of a corner. The goal by using the Pendbox is to be able to handle both duties and handle them very well. Just as can be found on the main pivots, the Pendbox rotates on sealed bearings and is held together with anodized aluminum hardware. You'll also find ISCG-05 chain guide tabs and a Press Fit bottom bracket shell.
The 2011 DH Team uses a mostly carbon swingarm, but uses bolt on replaceable dropouts and an aluminum forward section to house the main pivot
The rear of the DH Team (as well as the DH-720) sports a mostly carbon swingarm that not only looks great, but also presumably shaves valuable grams from an already light frame. Although the carbon section does look like two separate pieces, they are actually one unit that is tied together by a compact carbon bridge. The forward section of the swingarm that's housing both the main pivot and the mounting point for the suspension's pushrod is an aluminum unit, as are the bolt on rear dropouts on both the drive and non-drive sides. Both the shift and brake lines can be routed internally for more protection and a cleaner look. Tying the 12 x 150 mm rear end together is an anodized gold aluminum axle.
The swingarm's carbon bridge is tough to notice without getting in close
2011 Lapierre DH Team details
- Entirely new model for 2011
- 200 mm of rear wheel travel
- Aluminum front triangle, carbon swingarm
- Uses Lapierre's Pendbox system
- Internal cable routing
- Adjustable headtube angle, 64-63 degrees
- Integrated seat post clamp
- Frame weight of 8.4 lbs (300 grams lighter than last year's frame)
- Two models: DH-Team and DH-720
- Available as a frame only
- Refined sizing: Large uses a 20 mm longer toptube
An integrated, adjustable headset allows up to a full degree variation
Adjustability can be key when trying to dial in a bike to how you prefer it to handle or even for a specific course. There are quite a few bikes out there that allow the rider to alter their head angles, but not a lot that let you do this without affecting the suspension performance of drastically changing other angles. By using a sleeve within the bike's headtube Lapierre has kept head angle adjustments separate from affecting other adjustments. While eccentric headtube sleeves are nothing new, this one abandons the usual portly pinch bolts that would otherwise hold it in place. You can alter the angle by one full degree in half degree jumps from 64 to 63 degrees.
Aluminum hardware and internal routing for the housing - it's all in the details
While far from the first company to use an integrated seat clamp (it's been on BMX bikes for ages and road bikes for even longer) it does add to the DH Team's unique lines
A carbon mud guard protects the shock and a integrated fender protects the rider's eyes
My DH Team test bike was fitted with this stunning Kashina coated Fox 40 RC2
Sam Blenkinsop getting bent on his DH-Team
2011 Lapierre DH Team parting shot
Stay tuned for my riding impressions from my time on the Lapierre DH Team in Chatel, France!
What do you think of the new DH bike from Lapierre? Let us know below!
Visit Lapierre's website to see their entire lineup.
Check out the Lapierre team at the most recent WC DH Race:
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flawless, except those pedals wtf why that green? why green at all?
and by tool i mean something you can fit in a drawer and hopefully under 50$
Gringo.
Gringo.
Gringo.
First, I said the swingarm is like that of a 224 because in the last picture the shape of it looks very similar.
secondly i was reffering to the position of the shock and link that connects to it that looks similar to the large black link on this knolly frame: www.kustombikes.co.uk/frames/knolly_frames/knolly_podium_dh_frame
And last but not least: doesnt the GT i drive do the same job in the same position on the bike and look VERY similar to this design? yes, to me it does. thus explaining why i said that...
You are right though, it does look nothing like a commencal
..but the shape of that swing arm still looks similar to a 224 to me
Only I think Mongoose's ridiculously high pivot is even better because most of the travel is rearward. I can vouch for the fact that all my Mongoose bikes were very case-friendly!