Lapierre Zesty AM - A complete custom build

Lapierre Zesty AM – Custom Build

The new goods for 2015 are rolling in, and that includes a new long term test bike that will eventually be wheeled into the AMB shed. We have just taken delivery of a Lapierre Zesty AM 827 frame, with RockShox Pike fork, Reverb Stealth dropper post, and the RockShox Monarch shock with E:i. Yes, we’re going electronic!

The Zesty AM is a 27.5” wheeled all mountain bike, and with 150mm of travel front and rear, with slack angles. The front triangle is carbon fibre, and the rear end is alloy. The Monarch shock uses the second iteration of E:i (Electronic Intelligence).

In short, the system uses accelerometers to gauge what the suspension is doing, and to adjust low speed compression. You can set different modes for how you want the bike to react and ride. We’ll have to wait until we have the whole bike setup to explain it in full, and decide what we like the best. Given that a lot of Australian riding involves big rocks, and short and sharp climbs, this system could well be ideal. And what about for gravity events? Having a bike that lets you run deep into your suspension on tech chutes, yet firms up for when you need to get on the gas over a rise? Sounds like a recipe for some personal records.

We’re sending this rig to Shimano Australia to have it built up in the finest Shimano XTR components and PRO livery. We’ll be putting the whole bike to test in a coming issue. In the mean time, keen an eye on this site for other new 2015 product that is coming in.

Words : Mike Blewitt Photos : Rob Conroy