First ride review: Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team 2020 – Going full-speed against the current

The Overvolt GLP 2 Team is Lapierre’s latest eMTB, and it’s their most radical design yet! The main goal in developing this bike was to achieve the best possible handling for very active and fast riders. Lapierre deliberately opted against an internal battery, bottle cage bosses and any frills. Will their minimalist concept pay off on the trail?

For the new Overvolt GLP 2 Team, Lapierre rely on a high-quality full carbon frame and the latest Bosch Performance Line CX motor and Purion display. Contrary to the trend towards internal batteries, Lapierre deliberately uses an external 500 Wh Bosch Powerpack for weight optimisation. The € 8,499 flagship Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team also comes with a backpack featuring a special battery compartment and a spare 300 Wh Bosch Powerpack battery. Unfortunately, it doesn’t feature a certified back-protector. Lapierre’s so-called Gravity Logic Project (GLP) 2 prioritises the eMTBs handling above all else. It’s for this reason that the battery of the 160 mm travel eMTB is positioned as centrally on the bike as possible, directly above the motor, for the optimal weight distribution.

We’ve had the opportunity to put the Overvolt GLP 2 through its paces for several days on the demanding trails around Peille in southern France with its iconic downhill track. The trails in the south of France are not lacking in gnarly rock gardens and steep chutes. But, we were also able to ride the GLP 2 on shaped trails with berms and big jumps. The centuries-old paths in the area are heavily overgrown, which is why we had to use the striking AVS handguards for our test rides. They’re not part of the bike’s standard spec. Riding up technically demanding trails, we almost always kept the bike in Turbo mode regardless of the limited battery capacity. This corresponds exactly to the bike’s premise: maximum fun at maximum speed. For long rides on the GLP 2 you’ll need to pack in the spare battery anyway.

Componentry, weight and technical data of the Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team

At first glance, the componentry of the 21.3 kg Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team makes a high-quality impression. Lapierre relies on the know-how of SRAM and RockShox when it comes to the brakes, suspension and drivetrain, with wireless shifting thanks to SRAM’s X01 Eagle AXS groupset. However, they’ve combined this with the very heavy NX-Eagle cassette, which also has a smaller gear range than the higher-end Eagle cassettes. The 160 mm travel suspension is controlled by a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock and a Lyrik Ultimate RCT3 fork. Braking is taken care of by a pair of SRAM G2 RSC brakes with a huge 220 mm rotor up front and 200 mm rotor at the rear. It remains easy to modulate with the 220 brake rotor, but it doesn’t provide enough stopping power on steep descents and for heavier riders. SRAM’s more powerful CODE would have been the better choice here. The Overvolt GLP 2 Team rolls on Lapierre’s newly designed eAM+ carbon wheels. Mounted to the front wheel is a 29 ”x 2.5” MAXXIS ASSEGAI tire, which is complemented at the rear with MAXXIS’ extra-wide 27.5 ”x 2.8” MINION DHR II. Both feature the more puncture-prone EXO+ casing and the rear tire, in particular, is unable to live up to the bike’s descending capabilities.

The more affordable alternative: Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Elite

Regarding spec and value for money, the € 2,500 less expensive Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Elite for € 5,999 is the actual star of the range. It doesn’t only rely on the same technology for the high-quality full carbon frame, motor, battery and display. The 760 mm cockpit, dropper post and tires are identical too. You also get the exact same Super Deluxe Select+ shock. With the RockShox Lyrik RC up front, the suspension performance of the GLP2 Elite isn’t far behind. There are no compromises in terms of braking power either. On the contrary: the SRAM GUIDE RE brakes deliver sufficient braking power even without Swing Link technology thanks to 220/200 mm rotors, and they perform very reliably. The mechanical SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain is combined with a heavy SX-Eagle cassette.

Geometry and sizing of the Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2

Balance was key in the development of the GLP 2. The development team around multiple world champion Nico Vouilloz not only positioned the motor and battery as low and central as possible in the frame, but also invested a lot of time in balancing the geometry. Nevertheless, the length of the seat tube and the limited insertion depth of the dropper post show that the geometry has been compromised in favour of weight distribution. In size S, the frame only has enough room for Lapierre’s 100 mm Dropper+ seat post. Lapierre was able to fit in a 125 mm version on the size M frame and you get 150 mm dropper from size L upwards. Short riders might run into problems here. With a 150 mm dropper and a 484 mm reach in size L, the Overvolt GLP 2 offers taller riders sufficient freedom of movement on the bike. The 65° head angle, 76° seat tube angle and 15 mm bottom bracket drop make for very modern geometry without being extreme. However, Lapierre didn’t consider only the weight distribution and geometry when they developed the bike. The frame’s stiffness also changes with the size as the carbon layup is adapted to make the bigger frame sizes noticeably stiffer. So, bigger and correspondingly heavier riders should benefit from the same handling as smaller, lighter riders. The stem length and grips also vary from size to size.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	390 mm	430 mm	460 mm	500 mm
Top tube	578 mm	610 mm	642 mm	676 mm
Head tube	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm	135 mm
Head angle	65°	65°	65°	65°
Seat angle	79°	76°	76°	76°
Chainstay	440 mm	440 mm	440 mm	440 mm
BB Drop	15 mm	15 mm	15 mm	15 mm
Reach	425 mm	454 mm	484 mm	515 mm
Stack	615 mm	625 mm	634 mm	647 mm

Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team first ride review

You’ll feel comfortable aboard the Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 from the get-go. The riding position is very comfortable with a balanced distribution of weight between your bum and hands on level terrain. On moderate climbs, the GLP 2 feels very agile and easy to manoeuvre around obstacles.

On loose, rough terrain, the rear suspension and the 2.8” wide tire generate a lot of traction when run at a low pressure. However, heavy riders have to keep the rear tire pressure high on rough trails to avoid puncturing the thin EXO+ casing. This, in turn, negates the advantages that plus tires can offer, such as added grip and cushioning. When the incline becomes steeper, you have to actively weight the front wheel of the bike to keep it planted on the trail. If you succeed at doing so, the GLP 2 will get you up even the most technical, washed-out climbs full of loose gravel while remaining easy to control.

Going downhill, the Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team really comes to life. As a rider, you feel centrally positioned between the wheels. The advantages of Lapierre’s unique approach to weight distribution become immediately evident. The front end of the GLP 2 remains very light, which makes the handling much easier, whether you pull the front wheel up or keep it precisely on line through a rock garden. The Lapierre implements steering input willingly and playfully. The Maxxis Assegai tire and Lyrik fork up front provide a lot of traction, allowing you try out those high lines or cut diagonally across roots. The suspension of the GLP 2 provides a lot of feedback from the trail and offers plenty of support for active riding manoeuvres and big jumps. Having said that, the GLP 2 is equally capable of absorbing rock gardens and is generous with its travel without bottoming out harshly in the event of a hard impact. The Lapierre isn’t quiet, though. When the suspension compresses, the chain growth causes a loud metallic clack in the motor similar to chain slap, as with almost all Bosch motors.

The GLP 2 does an excellent job of balancing composure with agility. It makes riding fast easy, staying composed without having to fight the bike on tight trails, whether on super fast, open and rough downhills or tight, winding hiking trails with hairpin bends. The Lapierre GLP 2 instils you with confidence and constantly encourages you to go faster. On super steep trails, the underpowered SRAM G2 RSC brakes require strong fingers despite the 220 mm rotor, making them inappropriate for the speeds this bike is capable of. Nevertheless, the GLP 2 offers sufficient traction and remains easy to control, while the tall front end gives you an added boost in confidence.

Conclusion

With the Overvolt GLP 2 Team, Lapierre deliberately steer clear of the arms race for increased battery capacity and integration. Handling is the top priority of the GLP 2, both uphill and downhill. The low weight and, above all, low centre of gravity makes the handling of the GLP 2 stand out amongst its competitors. Components such as the tires, cassette and brakes aren’t appropriate considering the € 8,499 price tag or the GLP 2 Team’s intended use. We recommend going for the more affordable GLP 2 Elite. No matter the build, one thing is clear: the Overvolt GLP 2 is a unique bike that appeals to very aggressive riders out to tackle the most demanding trails.

For more info head to lapierrebikes.com

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Words: Photos: Mathieu Ruffray