Lapierre's New DH Bike - First Look

Jun 5, 2014
by Mike Kazimer  

Lapierre DH 2015
FIRST LOOK
Lapierre DH Bike
WORDS: Mike Kazimer
PHOTOS: Dave Trumpore
Lapierre's New Downhill Bike

Lapierre caused quite a stir at the British Downhill series last month when team riders showed up riding heavily taped prototype versions of a new downhill bike. The bike will be making its official debut this weekend at the Fort William World Cup, and it turns out that it's a 27.5" wheeled, aluminum rig. The bike was designed with extensive input from team riders, and based on their feedback Lapierre has gone away from the floating bottom bracket, Pendbox suspension design that was used previously, instead choosing to go with a link-driven single pivot design for the new bike's 210mm of travel. When it hits bike shop floors, two different models will be offered, the DH Team and the DH 727, with final pricing still to be determined.
Details

• 210mm travel
• Aluminum frame
• SLT suspension design
• 27.5” wheels
• Head angle: 63.7° (+/- 1°)
• Two models - DH Team and 727
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Available October 2014

Lapierre DH 2015
  A longer aluminum arm pushes the L-shaped link forward to drive the rear shock through its travel, a design Lapierre calls Supra Link Technolgy.

Suspension Design

The new bike uses a link driven single pivot configuration that Lapierre calls Supra Link Technology (SLT). Lapierre's engineers chose to go with a scissor-like linkage to activate the rear shock, which allowed them to tune the spring curve to give the bike good small bump sensitivity with enough ramp up at the end to avoid harsh bottom outs. Taking cues from the design of their Zesty and Spicy all-mountain bikes, Lapierre uses an oversized axle at the main pivot of the new bike to add stiffness near the bottom bracket area, as well as increase durability.


Lapierre DH 2015
  Interchangeable dropouts allow for the bike's geometry to be changed depending on a rider's preference, while the seatstay design provides massive amounts of mud clearance.


Frame Details

One of the most noticeable features of the new frame is the massive amount of tire clearance the rear triangle provides - there's room for the fattest tires available with room to spare. There's also the option for a bolt on mudguard to protect the linkage and rear shock on those extra-sloppy rides. Other frame highlights include internal cable routing through the front of the head tube, bolt on frame bumpers, and molded seat and chain stay protectors.


Lapierre DH 2015
The new bike's geometry was designed specifically for 27.5" wheels based off the positive reception (and results) of team riders last season.



www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks Lapierre Bikes


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223 Comments
  • 224 31
 26 that bitch!
  • 92 150
flag scottrallye (Jun 5, 2014 at 9:48) (Below Threshold)
 Yeah! 'Cause smoother and faster rolling wheels suck! Give us our 24"-rear-wheeled downhill bikes back! ...*sigh*
  • 124 11
 Yeah why would we ever want wheels that corner better? Everyone knows that all dh courses go in a dead straight line Wink
  • 22 44
flag wuzupjosh (Jun 5, 2014 at 10:07) (Below Threshold)
 it says it has interchangable drop outs so if you want put in some offfset bushings and an opposite angleset and have a nice long chainstay while keeping the same bb height . or just suck it up and buy 27.5 cuz if your a racer which this bike is intended for then run it how its supposed to be .
  • 159 6
 Pft, corners are for pussies. Send it like a jump and aim for the bushes.
  • 150 34
 26, 27.5, 28.25 WHATEVER. Just ride and have fun... As long as its not a 29er. Gross.
  • 42 20
 ^I came down fort william on a 29'r about a month ago. they're pretty good.
  • 22 3
 My Joke _______ Your Head
  • 17 46
flag PLMedia (Jun 5, 2014 at 12:17) (Below Threshold)
 i like when kids bitch about 27.5 because then i know itll be way easier to beat them at races on their 26 inch wheels. its obviously faster rolling and speed is the only real difference you notice riding one
  • 42 5
 PLMedia So far there is no proof that 27.5 is actually faster in dh if you look at WC finishes. I think its funny when people expect to be faster just because there wheels are an inch bigger haha
  • 22 11
 There's no proof it's worse in corners either
  • 10 31
flag wuzupjosh (Jun 5, 2014 at 13:44) (Below Threshold)
 why am i getting nego props im jsut giving the people what they want . im gonna run it 27.5 jeez i prefer the new pivot tho . dw links are the shit
  • 21 29
flag mhoshal (Jun 5, 2014 at 14:12) (Below Threshold)
 I agree man these 26 whiners need to just give it a rest be thankful the sport is even progressing the way it is. If you dont like em don't ride em. But stop crying like little school girls who just scraped their knee all dramatic and shit just give it a rest already. On a lighter note I'm liking this setup it's different from most frames out there these days
  • 15 11
 Obviously these world cup guys have no idea about this "26ers corner soooo much better" concept, or why would they be on 27.5" bikes?! Better start calling them up finnrambo! I've raced and ridden mountain bikes for 18 years on 26" bikes. You don't need to convince me, but there are benefits to bigger wheels too. Glad you are sticking to the "how to be a mountain biker" step 23.
  • 39 5
 They're on 27.5 because thats what the team tells them to ride! The pros are employees,they ride what the companys are pushing at the moment.
  • 16 18
 Lol, if you believe that than you haven't ever ridden a 27.5, as I would guess most people hating on them haven't. Ride whatever you want, who gives a shit... just don't pretend there aren't reasons for it.
  • 11 11
 and if they weren't getting results (ie riding faster), they wouldn't be paid to ride them, because at the end of the day, the teams want to have the fastest bikes and riders. Simples.
  • 11 5
 Once everyone you know has a 27.5" the bike industry will make all the bikes 67.5er's (27.5" F, 26" R) the new standard and it will be the best of both worlds as well as less money in your pocket.
  • 18 2
 I've ridden 650b, I didn't really notice anything aside from them being subtly worse in corners. I'm not some #26er4lyfe rider, I get along with my xc 29er, the pros are sponsored because they sell products, not because they "deserve to be sponsored" and if that means trying out a 650b bike they'll do it. There are plenty of teams on 26" bikes that are winning World Cups.
  • 12 8
 Well, try them somewhere besides a dual slalom course and you may notice some other differences. That additional traction in corners is a bummer too. Wait, I'm sorry, I'm actually arguing about wheel size with someone on Pinkbike... I'm going to set fire to computer now.
  • 15 0
 I'm only bummed about new wheel sizes because I can't carry over many of my parts like my wheel set and lyrik fork, etc. I was upgrading over the last few years and planning on buying a nice 26" frame. Now my hubs will need adapters if I lace up 27.5 rims because 12mmx142 and 15mm are the norm, and bb shells, on and on. On the bright side, there are lots of low priced 26" on the used market! If and when I get a new bike I have to decide between two different wheel sizes I don't know the whole truth about. Without time riding these wheel sizes on the trails, I could pick the wrong size and be stuck with an ill fitting bike for the next five years or so.
  • 14 2
 And Champ hit the nail on the head! Marketing and money are why it's pushed. Setting new standard weather they actually serve a genuine purpose or improvement or not! It's about money not performance. There is no NEED or great performance gain from a new (DH) wheel standard. Every "experienced" rider whos ridden most disciplines bmx,road,MTB,track will tell you that yes certain wheel configurations work best in certain environments.
But no DHer ever thought to himself as he was ripping down a gnar line; "hey I wish I had taller wheels". But hey I'm not hating,I love all bikes. I just think the industry is trying to sell anything they think they can to whomever will jump on and spend $$$$$. Love to all my bike brothers 3
  • 4 6
 Im with you there man I dropped a whack load of money on new parts for an older frame and now they are all going 650b. So I'm basically screwed outta my 600$ rims but I'm not on here every chance I get whining and bitching worse than my wife nagging at me to take out the trash or clean my tools up like I said give it a rest no one cares anymore
  • 4 11
flag notthatfast (Jun 6, 2014 at 1:23) (Below Threshold)
 bikebike69 - That's life, new standards come and go. Deal with it and stop whining.
  • 6 1
 Im just going to wait another few years til they come out with the 26.75...
  • 7 6
 29ers are gross and I own one, sucks... what a waste of $$ 26er for life bitches!
  • 6 5
 Ten years time you'll all be riding bigger wheels and you will look back at this and wonder what all the fuss was about.
  • 7 2
 ''If you dont like em don't ride em.''' ---> see that's the problem... many many companies just stopped producing 26in frames... so if you want a new frame, you HAVE TO go 650b... that sucks cause it's not our choice

Changing just the wheel size has an impact on everything, tires, wheels,hubs, forks, shocks, frames.... you change wheel size, you have to change EVERYTHING
  • 5 4
 Evolution. That's why I don't have Betamax or a mini disc player any more
  • 5 11
flag mhoshal (Jun 6, 2014 at 9:41) (Below Threshold)
 You queer buffing 26ers for life can suck my big toe neg prop that now homos I expect it. Here's an idea actually go ride your bikes instead of being little Creeps on a kick ass biking site
  • 7 2
 Its new so its better duh... its called Evolution hahah these comments always crack me up. bike companys love people like you that don't question if its actually better or not you just give into the hype and hand over your cash. why do you think all the WC teams are on 27.5 now? to make you feel slow so you buy a new bike with 27.5 so you can keep up hahah to bad santa cruz didn't switch over and everyone can see that 26 is still just as fast.
  • 4 7
 Than if that's the case you should still ride a pennyfarthing. Because that's an original bicycle. Your argument makes no fucking sense at all buddy
  • 6 8
 From the fort bill results it looks like Santa Cruz it pretty slow compared to the 13 other teams running 650b so I see your argument just went down the tube with that statement
  • 3 8
flag mhoshal (Jun 6, 2014 at 10:25) (Below Threshold)
 Bahaha truth hurts
  • 3 2
 It's all getting old now anyway. Like I said ten years down the line and you will all be bitching about something else we "don't want or need. It just cycle industry stealing our money" blah blah blah.
All whilst sat on a 27.5 or 29er that you've finally come to accept.
  • 5 4
 Thank god idiots like that don't run the industry or we would all still be riding full rigids with u brakes for crying out loud
  • 3 5
 90% of the people on here can't afford these bikes anyway whether it be 27.5 or 26. All I see is a bunch of pissants whining about something they could never afford anyway so really they have no say in the matter
  • 3 7
flag mhoshal (Jun 6, 2014 at 11:58) (Below Threshold)
 Wanna keep 26ers around forever let's see you bring out your own line of bikes than you can do whatever you want to them
  • 5 5
 I would just call that a case of not knowing where or how to ride a 29er or your a 5 foot nothing midget that can't handle bigger wheels. That's like saying well I started out in diapers so why should I wear boxer shorts now I'm just gonna keep shitting my pants for the rest of my life because I can't evolve and learn new things
  • 7 2
 hahah wow you just don't know when to stop mhoshal . first off fort bill results? you mean timed practice? hahahah cuz that shows alot. second off 90% of us cant afford these bikes? speak for yourself bud. your just making yourself look like retard.
  • 3 7
flag mhoshal (Jun 6, 2014 at 13:12) (Below Threshold)
 This coming from the same guy that thinks the bike industry shouldn't evolve you sir are the moronic idiot
  • 3 6
 Ps why are you riding a 3 year old bike there money bags where your new whip ya that's what I thought
  • 6 1
 650b is really one of the few things I disagree with, I can understand the xc 29er. I'm fine with new axle standards and spacing standards, those are innovative. I'm not anti-innovation, I just have no use for 650b and don't see why you'd put it on a dh bike.
  • 3 7
flag mhoshal (Jun 6, 2014 at 13:50) (Below Threshold)
 Nismo you can't even talk by the looks of your profile you sit on your computer trash talking alot more than you ride you have zero pictures of you doing anything or riding anywhere your basically just a punk poser who comes on here and chirps people with no proven facts to back you up do us all a favour and go learn to ride before trash talking people that have proof they ride hard
  • 4 7
 Ps ill come to Alberta any time on my 04 rocky Mountain rmx and shred any line twice as fast as you give me a time and place
  • 6 0
 hahah yup it is 3 years old. between my demo build Im doing right now and my stumpy evo I bought last year i have over 10,000.00 invested in my 2 bikes. just because you looked at my profile pic from 2 years ago doesn't mean you know me or my financial situation And Sorry i don't spend my time taking pics of myself doing shitty little jumps and standing by my bike trying to look cool hahah I would love if you would come to alberta! or better yet lets meet in BC on a real mountain! msg me if your ever in Fernie ill be happy watch you try and keep up. Anyway have a good day trollin buddy cuz im over it.
  • 1 8
flag mhoshal (Jun 6, 2014 at 14:11) (Below Threshold)
 I'll be in Nanaimo in July buddy come shred the rollercoaster on Mt Benson than. I'm there for a week from the 5th to the 13th
  • 1 8
flag mhoshal (Jun 6, 2014 at 14:19) (Below Threshold)
 And don't worry I'll be riding with some of my buddies and their kids so you'll have some company if you can keep up with the kiddies even bahahaha
  • 1 0
 Well that escalated quickly!
  • 3 0
 Who gives two fucks about wheel sizes just ride pussies
  • 7 1
 MHOSHAL WILL U PLEASE SHUT UP

''I just have no use for 650b and don't see why you'd put it on a dh bike'' ----> If you change wheel size, you will have to change almost everything including your frame... that's the only purpose of those wheels.
  • 2 9
flag mhoshal (Jun 6, 2014 at 17:45) (Below Threshold)
 Okay caveman
  • 1 0
 Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't most manufacturers building frames that can run both 26 and 27.5 now?
  • 1 0
 I rode my epic 26" with a bud who was riding a stumpy Evo 29'r. He did noticeably pull away from me on the straight, gnarly rock sections and seemed to flow over a lot of shit better, but man did I ever catch up to him in tight corners and most of the tightly packed rolling sections. I'm not convinced that riding anything other than my 26" wheels is gonna be better...for me at least.
  • 40 7
 Sweet
  • 28 47
flag c4mtb (Jun 5, 2014 at 9:21) (Below Threshold)
 a demo 8 and a old Norco DH had a baby and popped out that beauty!
  • 44 7
 It doesn't remind me of a demo in the slightest.
  • 9 19
flag ninjaty (Jun 5, 2014 at 9:51) (Below Threshold)
 looks like a trek-sition
  • 11 0
 fuggin sexy bike!
  • 7 1
 your right more of a trek session and norce dh cross. either way i like it a lot.
  • 4 1
 i was wrong i like it not at all like a demo
  • 13 7
 sorry but i think its ugly :/
  • 12 6
 More like a *GT Fury* and a Norco Aurum had a baby.
  • 5 3
 ^no this scissor link works completely different bud thats like saying a foes is like a gt .
  • 7 1
 OKAY... It's a GT Crossed with a Scott!!! End of Comparison's ;p
  • 4 0
 The super short reach really has me puzzled... A medium Demo has a longer reach than this large.
  • 17 0
 Personally, I think it looks like a LaPierre.
  • 2 0
 Fuggin
  • 2 0
 fuggin right!
  • 1 0
 ka-brap - Your comparison with the Demo is right, but I'd rather say the demo's reach is longer than the average (with just the new Fury being longer). I've been looking to some DH bikes and most of them have reaches between 390-420 mm.
  • 2 0
 whatever it looks like, it's one sexy ass whip
  • 3 2
 Baby of a Transition and a Trek
  • 1 0
 That's what I said!!!
  • 18 1
 wait wait.. .can someone please enlighten me.. what is the difference between a 'link driven single pivot configuration' aka 'Supra Link Technology' and a 'link activated single pivot'..aka faux bar. It would be nice if the article contained some info on axle path and pivot placement versus other designs rather than regurgitating the marketing jargon...
  • 13 1
 It's a single pivot. The axle-path is an arc around the pivot.
  • 7 2
 Nothing... if anything, this is a Devinci clone of the Rocky Flatline design... which is due for replacement.
  • 8 0
 Absolutely nothing, but marketing guys love dreaming up silly names, speaking of silly names, thank Specialized for Faux Bar.
  • 7 0
 This has a single pivot axle path. Everything else describing it is just a bunch of mumbo jumbo that influences whether the suspension is linear or ramps up the further it gets in travel. I wouldn't call it a clone though. Pretty much ever single pivot arrangement has already been done a million times by a kajillion other companies. It is nearly impossible to make a bike that doesn't look like at least one other bike.
  • 2 1
 ^ true that, especially when it's somebody trying to make a single pivot seem way more complex than it actually is.
  • 9 0
 most single pivot linkage driven shock designs like a rocky flatline, tr 450 , the lapierre before this one, all use a basic 4 bar swing link design to drive the shock. These all place the shock on the end link of the 4 bar linkage. This new lapierre bike along with the scott gambler run a linkage that attaches the shock to the middle link, which results in more ability to tune the leverage curve and a more direct force compressing the shock. This reduced side loading on the shock results in less stiction and bushing wear. This is the design most motorcycles have run for over 20 years now, with KTM also picking it up a few years ago after trying for over a decade to make a non linkage driven single pivot design work better.
  • 2 0
 find out more here... www.vitalmtb.com/product/feature/First-Look-2015-Lapierre-DH,260
  • 1 0
 thanks for adding some fact to the discussion game
  • 15 2
 i hope it doesent snap like mine
  • 7 2
 It looks like its going to crack any second lol
  • 3 1
 yep this L shaped link that drives the shock unit looks a bit odd to me i dont think it will last long in my hands, and the rear axle on a 4 bolts only but seem good idea if the drop-out worns out Smile apart of that reminds me of old norco just a bit more sexy Wink
  • 12 3
 So its a 650b RMB Thrust Link with a piece of carpet and a Diamond Back Knuckle Box in the way.
  • 5 0
 Pretty much..
  • 3 1
 No, this is a different type of link design. A true mx style linkage, works better
  • 10 0
 I wish someone would tell me what it looks like...
  • 7 1
 For years people have been saying the single pivot is dead!

Maybe theyre is hope yet for the 26" wheel!

SP still aint dead still kicking arse! GT, Nukeproof even Sam Hill rides Single Pivot!
  • 1 0
 Well then...
  • 4 1
 I like it, but why on earth didnt they triangulate that swingarm? I foresee more worn bearings and warranty problems for lapierre with this piece of truly french looking engineering. A giant V driving a linkage.....its like something renault would design
  • 5 1
 That link is just like a modern MX bike. 650b wheels, a bit slacked out, but that's what the armchair engineers demand. I like this one.
  • 3 0
 It even has a partial twin spar design. I thought "this looks good", then realized its because it looks like a moto frame and linkage.
  • 1 0
 Honda introduced this style of link in 1981 or 82, I can't remember offhand right now. I think it was 1981. There were several different designs in the evolution era. Trek uses the Full Floater that Suzuki used, and The old Kona's used the same design that Kawasaki used. There were a few horst link prototypes, but they were not ever brought to production. All of the manufacturers ended up using this design eventually. It is simply the lightest, simplest way to tune leverage rates.
  • 2 0
 Lapierre should send me a new chainstay assembly, which I have been waiting four weeks for so far instead of bringing this out.... I just want to ride my bike instead of sitting online looking at them... common Lapierre sort out your warranty process.
  • 4 0
 I think the front triangle looks well nice, but not sure on the rear triangle yet
  • 3 0
 agreed. Rear end kinda looked better with the tape on. Not that that matters really. Interested to see how it performs.
  • 1 0
 It just looks quite brittle, as if there will be loads of stress on it. Rest of the frame looks unreal though
  • 5 0
 Nobody noticed the interchangeable front shock mount?
  • 5 0
 I would like to see the main pivot. Why is it hidden?
  • 1 0
 Not sure if its new technology that they don't want to show?

I thought the foam was there to keep crap off the shock lol
  • 2 0
 I was thinking the same. Some hidden linkage they don't want leaked no doubt.
  • 1 0
 That seat tube ... wow. Very short actual TT, and crazy seat tube angle. It looks like they've done everything possible to allow the rear wheel to come forward as it travels, which seems strange to me. I guess it has a fairly low pivot, though I can't see it from these pictures.
  • 1 0
 I've always found it odd that the Lapierre team, while sponsored by Easton, doesn't run the 35mm bar/stem. When it came out it was said to be lighter, stiffer, etc. But you see all the LGR team riders using the older stems and bars like the ones on this bike,
  • 1 0
 The 35 is stiffer alright - like hand fatiguing stiff
  • 1 0
 The bike looks awesome! I like it a lot more then previous models. My only input would be why didn't they go with a lower linkage like on the first generation models or like DW-Link and VPP? They could keep the same suspension design and just add it in rather then going with a single bearing to rotate on
  • 3 0
 my first thought was....hey like the old norco frame design from 2009 Wink looks great...
  • 4 1
 Finally a bike that stands out from all the rest that doesn't look like a Session remade design!
  • 1 0
 This looks way better than the old Lapierre! the old one look clumsy and flimsy and brittle, plus Blenkinsop snapped quite a few. This look low and stiff. plus its got a fixed BB. hate the floating BB idea.
  • 3 0
 Reach is very short even in the large,so won't keep Steve jones happy,too small for the average 6 footer and all that,
  • 2 2
 Are we still whining about wheel size? 26 is dead! Move on and grow up! (I have a 26er and I realize that the progression has surpassed me. I will be buying a 27.5 for my next ride) neg prop me all you want you bloody wankers!!! Cheers from Northern California!!!
  • 1 0
 Hey is anyone who is posting an opinion about this bikes looks and wheel size ever going to buy one??????? Or race in the World Cup any time soon. Hahahahahahahahaha
  • 4 2
 Can someone draw a sketch of the linkage ? My mind can't quite grasp how it works...
  • 2 1
 I think i got it! The alloy-arm doesn't push the link where the shock is mounted forward, it pushes it a little bit back. So if you have 76mm of stroke of the shock (example) it makes it virtual 'longer' - like 85mm. I hope you know what i mean.. i'm not good at explaining this lol
  • 1 0
 vitalmtb has more pictures of the layout, its a single pivot with the linkage driving the shock.
  • 2 0
 I think I'd need a video to see the rear triangle deformation ^^
  • 1 0
 I'ts like a gambler: the swingarm push the rocker, not the "link".
  • 1 1
 Thanks, forceyoda! I don't know but.. i don't read a lot of interesting things which are on Vital here.. hm Frown
  • 1 0
 The seat stays pull the rocker forwards as the wheel moves through its travel. The "dogbone" coming down from the rocker to the mainframe, near the bb forces the rocker to rotate (colckwise or counterclockwise is hard to tell without a clear view of the main pivot) whilst moving forward with the seat stays, modulating the spring rate slightly. Reading back through that I'm aware it probably doesn't make things much clearer. Sorry Frown
  • 1 0
 I'm sure it moves clockwise. If it should rotate counterclockwise (to push it, not to 'release') the shock, the pivot point of the arm to the rocker should be in front of the pivot point from the rear triangle to the rocker. (F*ck, i'm confused now)
  • 1 0
 Check the pics on vital mtb for a clearer image, the top of the rear triangle (seatstay) pushes on the middle of the 'L' link, the 'L' link then drags the straight 'guide' link forward which looks like it may act to rotate the 'L' link clockwise at first then anti-clockwise towards the end of its travel, creating a plush beginning stroke and progressive end stroke... Not entirely sure though.
  • 5 3
 Looks like a cross between a Demo and the new GT Fury, absolutely lush! Great job Lapierre!
  • 2 1
 So, this is what was under the tape at at the BDS, all right...It's very different, but, I'd like to try before saying anything !Bruni and Blenki ?Back to you !
  • 3 0
 Are those carbon Havoc DH wheels? New version?
  • 1 0
 Don't think it is carbon. Smiths new Devinci apparently has the same wheels with a bump on the rear wheel. Isn't this kind of damage exclusive for alu? www.pinkbike.com/photo/11039348/?s6
  • 1 0
 Nice rear, bit that S shape down tube an head tube junction remind me of those K***s that fold in half on harsh front end crashes
Jus.sayin
  • 1 0
 Back to the future Norco Team about 4 years ago! Linkage is going to get hammered, dont get where Lapiere are going with this one, other than downhill fast!
  • 3 4
 Headangle too steep. Not properly triangulated rear end - wet wonderbtead. 2lb of extra fancy susp. linkage - seriously? Todays dh forks are upside down. Carbon wheels?
Not really a dh bike more like a medium duty AM... Wtf is wrong with euro marketing shills and fareast sweatshopengineers?
  • 3 1
 Headangle isn't that steep, and also that "2lb pounds of extra suspension linkage" is not their to save weight but to efficiently apply a better shock curve for the suspension. And also you never judge a race bike by its spec, So what if it doesn't have Dorado or DVO forks or carbon wheels If its spec that way by the team so be it.
  • 2 3
 It's a frame that would have looked good 5 years ago. Problem is the obvious disconnect of a large bike conglomerat, it's employees and a progressing consumer base. Long lead-times. That's why this thing is so wrong and speced with volume parts. Underengineered and lots of failing frames, this brand is dead.
  • 2 0
 Anyone asked themself, how much mud does this baby get on a shock when riding in wet?
  • 2 0
 It's actually Lahar like. The world s catching up to Aaron Franklin slowly.
  • 1 0
 Firstly I was like eurgh - then I was like hmmm that is actually sexy
Kinda like Davina Mccall even though her nose makes her look like a toucan and shes a cougar :-O
  • 1 0
 I really like how the gave it oldschool geometry, so that in 2 years they can take a cm off the back and add 1-2 out the front and sell a bunch more bikes, thats very clever!
  • 1 0
 I want one please. Slip back pass the seat and it looks like you have a convient nut cracker . Whay more can you as for
  • 1 0
 I thought this was their new dh bike for 2014.
www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk/mtb-big-mountain-dh/dh-722
  • 2 0
 that seat tube angle though..
  • 1 0
 I was thinking the same thing, the stats say 73 degrees, but must be a typo. Looks more like 63
  • 1 0
 73 must be the actual angle of the virtual line crossing the bb and the seat
  • 2 1
 Looks ace. Just hope they have sorted their reliability problems out and they won't be called Snapierre anymore.
  • 2 0
 Turner called, they want their DHR back!
  • 2 1
 so what is the slackest production head angle out there? this has to be near the top...62.7 degrees...damn!
  • 3 0
 Mondraker summun is 61 at least
  • 4 4
 Hey boss, it's 63.7. It says so in four different places in the article: lmgtfy.com/?q=lapierre+dh+727+head+angle
  • 2 3
 lol @ this fool ^...guess you dont know what +/- means
  • 3 1
 +/- 1 degree
  • 5 1
 Ooooh, it has adjustable head angle via rotating headset cups, I'm blown away. By that logic every bike's head angle is +/- 1.5 degrees via angleset. The head angle welded into the frame is 63.7 degrees, and everything else is just an adjustment around that number.
  • 1 2
 ...there are many MANY bikes out there that use shock relocation or flip chips of some sort to modify the geometry while leaving the "welded" head angle the same...so no. not exactly what you said
  • 7 0
 Yeah, and this isn't one of them. So the stock head angle is still 63.7.

The Transition TR500 has a 63.5 degree head angle but it has +/- 1 degree flip chips, and I could buy a 2 degree offset Works Components headset, and I could install two Burgtec offset shock bushings to change the head angle another degree, and I could raise or lower the fork 1" in the crowns for another degree, so I guess the stock head angle is 58.5 degrees. That makes sense as a point of comparison.
  • 4 0
 Team-robot, don't forget 24" rear and 29" front, we can get that bitch below 55 degrees if we work together! Maybe a shorter rear shock while we're at it!
  • 1 1
 ^ also a huge front tire with a super tiny rear tire. on the 29/24 setup. short shocked, with the burgtec and hs, and engineer and super high crown. we're shooting for sub 50 degrees
  • 3 1
 Are all DH bikes turning to 27.5? It saddens me Frown
  • 1 0
 "while the seatstay design provides massive amounts of mud clearance."all I read here is Fat tyre clearance Wink
  • 2 0
 amazingly pretty. i wonder what that suspension feels like.
  • 1 0
 I'm not a fan of the whole 650b craze yet..but that thing looks fast as hell just sitting there!
  • 1 0
 Well wilson bikes and demo bikes they got a new competition in the dh bike market..
  • 1 0
 gotta love the stick on the back wheel to hold up the bike which costs thousands of $
  • 2 1
 I said it a couple years back big wheels will rule the down hill course ____o^o____ by by ____O^O____
  • 1 0
 yep.. something new! like it.
  • 7 6
 Linkage activated GT Fury?
  • 3 1
 Why the negs? He's right, it is a linkage driven single pivot bike. Different layout but similar to many bikes including the fury, transition etc.
  • 1 0
 looks sick! wheres the main pivot tho? concentric BB?
  • 2 0
 Looks like the pivot point is above the BB, a bit like the Tr500 : puu.sh/9ghOX/0fe10b792d.png
But it looks sooo small (the pivot) on that sketch.


Can be a goob bike Smile
  • 1 0
 Looks absolutely incredible!
  • 2 1
 it loks like the gt fury mixed with an old norco
  • 1 0
 All I see is a newer looking 27.5 Norfolk a line
  • 1 0
 That is such a sick looking DH bike!
  • 3 1
 #26aintdead
  • 2 1
 Die, wheel size debate, die!!!
  • 1 0
 I thought it was a nice bike.... until i saw the wheel size ... shit
  • 5 4
 Let's hope this bike doesn't take over the snapierre reputation!
  • 4 0
 had to replace mine three times :p
  • 1 0
 3 times!? Were they critical failures that resulted in huge tumbles?
  • 1 0
 never properly crashed , just sometimes when i braked heavily the rear would bend like jelly and then snap - its carbon you see
  • 1 0
 What made you keep building the frame back up?
  • 1 0
 pretty sexy bike, and it was free cuz of garantee
  • 2 1
 This is extremely beautiful !!!
  • 8 7
 I like the old Lapierre. This one not so much.
  • 1 0
 the chrome dh720 from 2008/2009 was the high point as far as looks go
  • 1 0
 That is one sexy looking sled.
  • 5 4
 looks better with the duct tape on it #one for da haters
  • 1 0
 That downtube is crying out for some protection..
  • 1 1
 Looks a lot like a Solid Mission 9 to me, I think they might even have a patent on the suspension design.
  • 1 0
 I'm surprised it isn't showcased with BOS suspension bits.
  • 1 0
 The burning question is will it snapierre.
  • 1 0
 how muuuch? (Borat voice)
  • 2 0
 keep it simple lapierre
  • 1 0
 Does anyone know when the new Boxxer w/ Charger Damper will be out?
  • 1 1
 So they took the Gambler linkage and put it sideways... that's what it looks like.
  • 1 0
 well..... at least its house broken
  • 1 0
 Let's all knock it without trying it!
  • 1 1
 The idea that I will one day be able to afford a machine like this is awesome
  • 1 0
 I think that's silenced a few of last months haters
  • 1 0
 I like the looks of it and look forward to trying it out.
  • 1 0
 I wonder if it as 7 pivots like the last one.
  • 1 0
 More like, Break A Link Technology.
  • 1 0
 Never mind the wheel size. Thats a good looking bike!
  • 1 0
 Come on... make the 26" version
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Fury fcucked by a Gambler. In the asshloe.
  • 1 0
 I love low swing arms.
  • 2 2
 wow sooo nice props guy s keep it up a+
  • 2 1
 HOT as in HOT
  • 1 0
 53X!!!!
  • 2 1
 the old one was prettier
  • 1 3
 it would be nice if they showed the price tag . aswell i have a feeling theyll lose customers not having any carbon. the world is changing and people like carbon .
  • 2 0
 Carbon is expensive, not everyone wants to spend 5gs+ on a rig. Plus the bike doesnt even cone out till october, whos to say they wont make a carbon version sometime soon.
  • 1 0
 looks like some HOOT
  • 2 1
 now that's an ugly bike.
  • 1 0
 October?!
  • 1 1
 looks like flexible rear end
  • 2 2
 One word.... UGLY
  • 3 4
 Looks like an old Norco...
  • 1 1
 CARBON PLEASE!!!!
  • 1 2
 THE ugliest bike of 2015.
  • 1 3
 I can see a lot of these snapping !!
  • 2 5
 ugly as sin...
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