Lapierre don’t really need an introduction, as they’ve been building bikes from their French HQ since 1946. It took sixty-one years until the first-ever Zesty hit the market, and it’s been through a host of iterations in recent years. So what’s the verdict on the latest top-of-the-range Zesty AM 927 Ultimate?
Nico Vouilloz is a living legend, with scores more victories to his name than pretty much any other rider out there. Right now he’s chest-deep in the development of Lapierre’s mountain bike range, and his experienced touch is certainly perceptible on the Lapierre Zesty AM 927. Going way beyond just promising-looking geometry, the Zesty’s build spec looks very on-trend too. It retails at an admirable € 4,999 and comes with some of the tidiest components around, including the SRAM X01 Eagle, a RockShox PIKE RCT3 fork with 150 mm travel, and powerful Shimano XT brakes. The Mavic Deemax Pro wheels are a further statement on the bike’s intentions, lining up nicely alongside the grippy MAXXIS Highroller II tires and a well-chosen cockpit.
One spin and it’s confirmed just how comfy the Lapierre is to ride. In terms of size, its 444 mm reach for the medium frame is at the longer end of the spectrum, and a slack 66.5° head angle plays nicely into its ambitious trail character. On descents, the Zesty AM relies on its long, low, and slack nature as well as its super-plush suspension, becoming an unstoppable force with welcome stability at high speeds. The rear is capable of soaking up whatever the trail throws at it with ease. It corners with composure and predictability, with the ultimate spread of weight and generous traction. It’s one of those whips that loves to manual, drop, and drift, so don’t let the bike down by subpar playfulness on your part. Yet having heaped praise on its downhill credentials, how does it climb? The answer’s simple, and it’s well versed in the qualifications of a high-end trail bike. Its steep seat angle gives a great central position on the bike so you can benefit from every pedal stroke. On technical terrain, the rear dishes out a ton of traction and pedal bob is nonexistent.
Lapierre Zesty AM 927 in Detail
Fork: RockShox Pike RCT3
Shock: RockShox Monarch Plus RC3
Brakes: Shimano XT
Drivetrain: SRAM X01 Eagle
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Stem: Lapierre Nico Vouilloz Alu 55 mm
Handlebar: Lapierre Nico Vouilloz Sign. 760 mm
Tires: MAXXIS Highroller II
Wheels: Mavic Deemax Pro
Few things are as annoying as a noisy chain. While you’ll never fully silence the chain, it’s still crucial to protect the bike from it, so Lapierre have wisely gone for thick plastic protective inserts.
Getting the right setup for your suspension is key to a good ride, and the Zesty’s sag indicator on the seatstay is a big help here.
The cable entry ports on the head tube have large dimensions, which lend the bike a pretty distinctive image.
Virtually a signature on a Lapierre bike, the need for an additional derailleur guard is almost obsolete as rear mechs nestle further and further into the bike.
Conclusion
The Lapierre Zesty AM 927 is capable of superb climbing and descends with smoothness and agility. If you’re on the pursuit for a superior-specced trail bike with 27.5″ wheels, then this is the money shot – and it even comes with a easily justified price of € 4,999!
Strenghts
- Brilliant rear end
- Balanced handling
- Top spec
- Clever details (sag indicator, chainstay protector)
Weaknesses
- None
For more information head to bikes-lapierre.com!
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: A Bike for All Situations – 9 of the most exciting trail bikes of 2017
All bikes in test: FOCUS JAM C Factory | Giant Trance Advanced 0 | ROSE ROOT MILLER 3 | SCOTT Spark Plus 700 Tuned | Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon 29 | Trek Fuel EX 9.9 29 | Yeti SB5 TURQ X01 Eagle | YT JEFFSY 29 CF Pro
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