Lapierre Zesty TR 529 - Tested

Keen as mustard to swing your leg over a French beauty? Then why not take a look at Lapierre, with their brand headquarters based in Dijon, France, Lapierre is arguably the largest bicycle producer in cycling’s spiritual home of France. If you have spent any time riding in Europe at all you would know how popular the brand is and the Zesty would have to be the most popular of all their mountain bikes. They are ideally suited for the epic trails found in the mind-blowing European Alps.

These days the Zesty comes in two options. With the Zesty TR 529 on test being the larger 29-inch wheeled model with 120mm of their OST+ travel. The other is a 27.5-inch wheeled 150mm travel beast that we have on long term test. They both run the same OST+ suspension platform, but target slightly different areas of the market. With the more trail friendly Zesty 529 bringing all the advantages of the bigger wheel and slightly less travel. Our 529’s mechanical suspension version build also sits in the middle; a higher specced 829 with the same frame and the e:i Auto suspension management, and a lower specced full alloy 329.

Initial Impressions

The 529 version of this Zesty TR sits at a perfect 120mm of travel for a 29er trail bike. If you’re not after a pure race bike, but want something that’s capable, fun and efficient then this Lapierre is well worth consideration. With bold graphics and Euro styling it’s quite an eye catcher just like our long termer. It’s impeccably finished with a refined carbon front end complete with a carbon bash guard providing excellent frame protection at the vulnerable lower BB area, as well as easy internal routing access. The massive “Supreme 6” alloy rear end really finishes the bike off with a burly appearance, giving this bike presence. It makes you want to swing a leg over and disappear down your favourite trail as quickly as possible.

The tucked away brake caliper looked really neat but also made for a super wide rear end. Heel rub and also rock clearance are definitely a possible issue, depending on your pedalling style and how you ride. The simple Shimano SLX/XT, RaceFace 2×10 build is once again no nonsense. The XT brakes are among the most reliable on the market, and matched the bike perfectly for power and modulation. With Fox Float CTD suspension doing duties at both the front and rear of the bike, the bumps are more than adequately taken care of. The inclusion of the KS LEV Integra dropper post made me beyond happy. It has a really clean functionality. It adds to the capabilities of the bike and the Zesty’s grin inducing qualities that make every ride up or down a blast. The super classy looking Race Face Turbine wheels were on rolling duties, however the straight pull spokes may be a slight pain to find and replace in an emergency. The Lapierre branded Funn made stem and bar were also spot on for the requirements of a bike of this calibre. All up it’s a great package for a burly trail 29er, with great simple working parts.

Three things you liked

about the bike

– French Styling

– Burly frame gave oodles of confidence

– KS LEV Integra dropper worked amazingly

Three things you would

change about the bike

– I would definitely change to a 1x 

    option. I have a passionate hate for 

    front derailleurs

– I would go for a smaller tyre, something

    slightly faster rolling.

– Some lighter wheels if your riding demanded it

On the Trail

The 120mm of firm travel sits perfectly above an unforgiving 100mm race 29er and just under the bigger 140mm 29er beasts. It plays both cards well fitting the type of riding most of us do every day. At a substantial weight of 13.9kg with pedals, yet fitting of the price tag, it was never going to make whippet status on the trail. But as expected it has more than made up for it in many other areas. I found the pedalling efficiencies of the VPP based OST+ suspension to work wonders on the climbs. With masses of traction thanks to the big wheels and it was also amazing on the descents with the even bigger tyres of the new Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25” which are definitely on the larger side. The 529 really came across as being super versatile with just swapping the rubber out to suit your riding style the bike can be just as you like and setup for your next big cross country day out in minutes.

The 2×10 drivetrain worked just as expected, a few chains were dropped and my preference for a 1x setup was confirmed. This doesn’t however mean that you wont ever drop a chain with 1x nor do I see no use in the 2×10 setup, it definitely has its place. For those that don’t like bombing the descents as much, and will do long days on this bike, the range that a 2×10 group set offers makes sense. That granny ring will be welcome as you’re climbing up the last climb of a 50km plus day.

The wide rear end saw its fair share of scrapes in some of the tighter rocky sections that we were riding around Jindabyne and other brilliant trails in the Snowy Mountains region. The Zesty swing-arm now bares the scars of a rider with less finesse than some, but that extra inch or so of alloy swing arm is definitely noticeable in frame stiffness and suspension performance.

The KS LEV Integra dropper post would have to be the stand out on this build and easily equals the functionality of some of the higher end droppers available. The setup was simple and I saw no issues throughout our whole test period. If you still haven’t ridden a bike with a dropper it’s really hard to explain the extra enjoyment such a simple part can bring. Once you ride with a dropper it’s very hard to ride a bike without it and not feel slighted. It is very telling that every trail bike on test this issue is equipped with a dropper post.

The Fox CTD suspension was well suited to the bike, with the settings used often and easily. This simple tried and tested system will also be a massive draw card for those not into electronics thinking for them. For those that love the thought of R2D2 controlling there Starfighter there is the e:i Auto suspension option on this same model.

TIM BARDSLEY – SMITH RIDER BIO

Riding Experience: 16 years of riding and racing including over 11 years of working in the Industry as a photographer. With a gravity based background, I now enjoy all aspects of the sport.

Generally Rides: Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt, Specialized Epic 27.5 Mashup

Height: 174cm

Weight: 88kg

Bike Test Track: Bungarra, Mill Hill trails, TVT and Thredbo Flow Trail.

Our Take

The Zesty TR 529 as a whole felt super sturdy and easily took anything we asked of it in its stride. Every single part on this bike is capable and does its job well, and was such a pleasure to ride. This bike would suit those looking for a 29er on the XC side of “do almost anything“ and we definitely think the French aesthetics have an appeal that the bigger US brands can’t always deliver. You might be after something a little left of centre, but a bike that still has the backing and product research and development of a large company then the Lapierre is a great option.

Essentials

Brand Lapierre

Model Zesty TR 529

RRP $5199

Weight 13.9kg (as tested with pedals)

Distributor Advance Traders

Contact advancetraders.com.au

Available Sizes S, M (tested), L, XL

Frame Material Carbon main frame,

alloy rear

Fork Fox Float Evolution

CTD 120mm

Shock Fox Float CTD 120mm

Shifters Shimano SLX 2×10

Derailleur Shimano XT Shadow Plus

Rear, SRAM X7 Front

Crank RaceFace Turbine 36/22

Bottom bracket Shimano Pressfit

Cassette Shimano HG50 11-36 10sp

WHEELS RaceFace Turbine 29”

Tyres Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25”

Brakes Shimano XT

Stem Lapierre CNC

by Funn, 70mm

Handlebars Lapierre Nico Vouilloz

Edition by Funn. 720mm

Seatpost KS LEV Integra

125mm drop

Saddle SDG Duste

Photographer: Robert Conroy  Tester: Tim bardsley-smith