Lapierre XR 729 Test

Lapierre XR 729 test

Lapierre XR 729 Test- Journey 100mm 29er full suspension bike Lapierre XR729 various debuted last year and is something a heartbeat - though the cult - a hit among the mountain bike cognoscenti. We love the one we tested and this year's version has made significant er, basically the same, but there are some important components of the change.

Frame and equipment: left of the label  XC.

We are reluctant to put the label  XC on this bike too early in this review - for some of you, see that would be an instant turn-off. This motor is a whole load more than a XC race machine heads.

Okay, so it only has 100mm of travel. It was just amazing weigh / 10.7kg alarming (23.6 pounds). And yes, it is a RockShox SID front fork. It's not just the bike for a quick climb up the fire road and surrounding fields of grass though. The Lapierre is one of the best - and funnest - mile bike covers we've ever encountered.

Carbon frame. Suspension design is driven single pivot linkage the designers have dispensed with the usual chainstay pivot near the rear axle again found about Lapierre models - not just remain on the XR 729 'flexible' small but necessary amount.

The linkage and rear shock is positioned at the top center of the seat tube is interrupted. This really limits the seatpost height adjustment (some riders will find they have to cut down seatpost), and riders who want to lower their saddles for technical path must install dropper post. In the real world, drivers will keep the saddle at full height for everything and everyone will be buying a eyedropper.

Mid seat tube location CTD Evolution SV Fox float rear shock does have benefits, the suspension characteristics. For a short suspension travel XC bike XR 729 is very active.

On that note yet functional aesthetic, internal cable routing keeps the lines looking neat and simple to clean the bike makes when coming back from another adventure in the mud all day. The front derailleur SRAM X01 free help here too.

Ride and handling: compromise compression

XR729 is not perfect though. It even has some drawbacks bit where you would think it would have great power. But then it is superior in load over the area where you would think it would flounder. This is an interesting bike.

It was during the climb where we had a few niggles. Somewhat counterintuitively super active rear suspension causing the rear wheels to spit traction under power stepping on loose terrain. The suspension is compressed rather than excavated. It was rather unexpected aspect but now fixed. Switch to grippier / rear tread draggier or dropping psi help things.

If you race XC then firmer compression tune on the rear shock will be a future solution, or you can choose to intelligent electronic EI pricier model. For regular trail riding, occasional spit traction is worth the price paid for the bike's performance elsewhere.

When up is not losing XR 729 really lifted the hill. It's hard not to fly uphill on the 29er who weigh less than 11kg (24 pounds). That makes it a fun experience in itself, and not just a novelty.

Bicycle insult capable in the offspring as well. Low-slung attitude and suspension punchy feel makes for a very entertaining and engaging ride. On paper, 70-degree head angle sounds steep but, out in the hills and mountains, the length of the motor (600mm effective toptube on the media), low (330mm bottom bracket height) and stem short friendly and decent 720mm wide handlebars keep things calm and in control.

Bolt-thru rear frame, RockShox SID RL 15QR fork and Easton EA70 XCT wheels impressive stiff and ripe for a beating on it. The RockShox SID, while not fat Pike, proved to be a small number of brave who coped decently with all requested it.

No doubt the greatest attribute we found with the XR 729 is what is done in contouring and traverse terrain. It also punches above its weight when it comes to rumble through the rough stuff or ping through turns.

It slid everywhere and everything very easily. Test ride on the XR 729 often ends up being much longer than intended - the bike just makes it so easy and fun to do just one more hill  and another.

Even with single-ring gearing X01 range, wide but not as wide as the middle-plus-grandmother of two ring settings, we never found ourselves wanting a guarantee of extra gear. XR 729 would still be happy to climb steep inclines or longest for hours.

Facing something winding and swoopy on the XR 729 is a complete joy. The lightweight, stiffness of the chassis, suspension feel, attitude everything is combined with geometry perfectly, like a spring lamb aggressive.

Our only real problem is with Formula disc brakes R1S. They are beautiful to look at and they do not weigh very much but they are lacking in top end power compared with rival manufacturers offer. They are not bad per se brakes, this bike can only go at speed through rough terrain are calling for greater braking power and control.

Indeed, this is a machine that is very lightweight and fast. It makes us stop and think about how we've ended up restricting short bicycle trip to the realm of Lycra head and mild-mannered race marathon mile munchers. We would be happy to have a XR 729 as the only mountain bike. Short Holidays and low weight combined with big wheels and frame stiffness is a winning formula.

Name : XR 729 (14)
Built by : Lapierre
Available Size : S M L XL
Brakes : Formula R1S
Crank : SRAM Red X1
Fork : RockShox SID 29 RL Solo Air 100 mm
Frame Material : XR 29in, carbon
Front Tire : Schwalbe Rocket Ron, 29x2.25 in
Handlebar : Lapierre Pro 720mm XR
Head Angle : 70
Rear Shock : Fox Lampung CTD Evolution SV
Rear Tire : Schwalbe Rocket Ron 29 x 2.25 in
Chair Angle : 72.5
Seatpost : Easton EA70
Shifters: SRAM 11spd X01 11-42T
Weight (kg): 10.7
Wheelset: Easton EA70 XCT
Year : 2014
Weight (lb) : 23.6
Down Bracket Height (in) : 330
Chainstays (in) : 446
Chair Tube (in) : 440
Top Tube (in) : 600
Wheelbase (in) : 1110
Frame size tested : M

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