Review: Lapierre XR 729

[Nick]

The Lapierre XR 729 is the French manufacturer's cross country race offering. There is a option to have an electronically controlled shock, which is rather intriguing, but a story for another day as we tested the mechanical shock model. Checking out the stock component specification for the bike online, I expected a traditional lean and mean cross country bike. I was pleasantly surprised when the custom built bike arrived from Durban.

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[TheJ]

R82k. Ag no. I give up. Thank goodness I bought (read: Imported) my current frame and parts a few years ago.

 

Someone is getting shafted - and I think it's the consumers.

[banna]

Genade Gert... Could they not decide on a color? Oh wait, lets use all available colors.

[gummibear]

Over R80k for a XT specced bike[emoji23][emoji23]

[Nick]

That price tag is for the E:i electronic suspension model. The reviewed bike is not electronic. Unfortunately I have yet to be given a price for it.

[CAAD4]

Awesome looking machine.

[Stevief]

Looks like a makro special

[Hackster]

Colour choice by committee. But I like the carbon stays instead of pivots. Trick...

[FCH]

That color - sorry complete pantone collection is off putting.

And why Wolf tooth on a xtr crank.... Why not just a xtr....

This bike confuses me from start to finish

[Nick]

That color - sorry complete pantone collection is off putting. And why Wolf tooth on a xtr crank.... Why not just a xtr.... This bike confuses me from start to finish

 

It's a custom build the guys at Lapierre put together from parts they had. You won't find it on the shop floor like this.

 

Don't the cranks used on the bike and 1x Shimano chainrings have different BCDs? Hence the aftermarket chainring.

[FCH]

Sorry Nick, you did mention the custom part etc; but now I am even more confused. Why have a bike reviewed that in no way resembles the one coming to market, except for the wheels?

 

http://www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk/2016/xr-729-729-ei-shock

[TheJ]

Sorry Nick, you did mention the custom part etc; but now I am even more confused. Why have a bike reviewed that in no way resembles the one coming to market, except for the wheels? http://www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk/2016/xr-729-729-ei-shock

 

Agree. Reviewed one looks like an enduro bike. Retail ons looks proper XCO/Marathon.

[Nick]

Sorry Nick, you did mention the custom part etc; but now I am even more confused. Why have a bike reviewed that in no way resembles the one coming to market, except for the wheels? http://www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk/2016/xr-729-729-ei-shock

 

It's available as a frame only option (so I was told). I tried to convey the feel of the bike more than spend the whole review detailing the outcome of every components choice. I hope to think it will be useful for someone looking to build their own XR 729 or considering a similar specification on this type of bike.

 

Also, maybe it's just me, but I like to read and ride non-standard bikes every so often. The component choice on factory bikes is usually very formulaic and unimaginative. I enjoyed riding and writing about something different.

 

Agree. Reviewed one looks like an enduro bike. Retail ons looks proper XCO/Marathon.

 

For my style of mid pack racing, I found this to be the perfect XCO/Marathon bike.

 

While lighter components would probably be better for skilled podium contenders, I feel the average rider would see improvements in their fun levels and race times by having a bike that also feels good on the downs.

[doppelganger]

It's available as a frame only option (so I was told). I tried to convey the feel of the bike more than spend the whole review detailing the outcome of every components choice. I hope to think it will be useful for someone looking to build their own XR 729 or considering a similar specification on this type of bike.

 

Also, maybe it's just me, but I like to read and ride non-standard bikes every so often. The component choice on factory bikes is usually very formulaic and unimaginative. I enjoyed riding and writing about something different.

 

 

For my style of mid pack racing, I found this to be the perfect XCO/Marathon bike.

 

While lighter components would probably be better for skilled podium contenders, I feel the average rider would see improvements in their fun levels and race times by having a bike that also feels good on the downs.

Any idea on price of the frame only option?

[Nick]

Any idea on price of the frame only option?

 

Ok, just called them to get this all straight.

 

The bike as specced in the review: R65,000

 

Full bikes

XR 529: R49,725

XR 729 with electronic suspension: R85,150

XR 929: R104,000

 

Frame only: Sorry, you will have to contact them for pricing.

[Iwan Kemp]

Any idea on price of the frame only option?

 

Chat to Mark at Good2Go (031) 701 8152