We all love looking at new bikes, savouring that moment when the latest range arrives at the bike shop – all glossy carbon and bristling with the latest technology. After a successful ‘lift and bounce’ test it’s time to check out the components, and that is often the point where things fall apart. “Yeah, it looks awesome but I will have to change those tyres, and those brakes are rubbish in the mud”, before you know it the hefty price tag has got a whole lot bigger.

Riding a bike in the States can be very different to the UK, and even after melting your credit card on a new bike, changes will need to be made. However, the Lapierre UK Distributor – Hotlines, have come up with a great plan. They now offer an ‘Ultimate UK’ build 927 designed for the unique challenges (shitty weather) found in the UK.

The Zesty AM Ultimate 150mm, is this the ultimate UK trail bike
The Zesty AM Ultimate UK 150mm, is this the ultimate UK trail bike?

For a princely sum of £5399.99, the Lapierre Zesty AM 927 Ultimate UK is built with components that the Hotlines team have hand picked to be perfect for UK riding. The team love Rockshox suspension but also value the reliability and pedigree of Shimano XTR, so the ‘Ultimate UK’ gets the best of both. As standard the Mavic Crossmax XL rims come fitted with Mavic WTS tyres, fast rolling and great in the dry, these are as much use as an ejector seat in a helicopter when it comes to deep mud. To give the bike some bite in the slop, Hotlines also supply an extra set of WTB vigilante tyres so the customer can pick and choose.

Tailored build; the Ultimate UK bike mixes the Shimano XTR drivetrain with a SRAM suspension setup
Tailored build; the Ultimate UK bike mixes the Shimano XTR drivetrain with a SRAM suspension setup
Shimano XTR brakes are powerful stoppers
Shimano XTR brakes are powerful stoppers
The Nico Vouilloz Signature stem and Truvativ Carbon Black Box Limited 750mm bar add a touch of class to the cockpit
The Nico Vouilloz Signature stem and Truvativ Carbon Black Box Limited 750mm bar add a touch of class to the cockpit
At 12.9kg the Lapierre Ultimate UK should offer rapid climbing
At 12.9kg the Lapierre Ultimate UK should offer rapid climbing
Hotlines believe that the Rockshox Monarch RT3 is the perfect shock for UK riders
Hotlines believe that the Rockshox Monarch RT3 is the perfect shock for UK riders
The Mavic Crossmax XL wheels come with both WTB Vigilante & Mavic WTS tyres
The Mavic Crossmax XL wheels come with both WTB Vigilante & Mavic WTS tyres
11 speed and 150mm of travel make the 921 a race ready weapon
11 speed and 150mm of travel make the 921 a race ready weapon

Our Impressions

As the name suggests, this bike will only be available in the UK through your local Lapierre stockist, so is not available to all. However, we have to applaud Hotlines, it’s great to see distributors altering the build kit of the bikes to suit national riding conditions. Hopefully other brands will take note and start thinking about offering bikes that are ready to shred straight out of the box

For more information check out the Hotlines site.

Words and photos: Trev Worsey


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