This innovative design with progressive geometry and 100-millimeters of suspension travel will help push the 29er movement in the European market.This innovative design with progressive geometry and 100-millimeters of suspension travel will help push the 29er movement in the European market.
Lapierre’s carbon XR 29er has a slack-for-29er 69.5-degree head angle and shortish, 17.5-inch (446mm) chainstays. The exaggerated bend in the top tube makes for excellent stand-over clearance.
Lapierre chose Europe’s largest cycling festival to debut its first full-carbon 29er. The XR looks elegant with curving frame members and an innovative, single-pivot suspension arrangement that tucks the shock and a short linkage into a sculpted seat tube tunnel. The XR was designed from the ground up to be manufactured in carbon, which is underscored by the seat tube shock mount and its no-dropout-pivot swingarm configuration. XR frames are reported to weigh 1700 grams (3.74 pounds) without the shock and will be offered in four sizes, from small to extra large. The claimed weight for the prototype shown was 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Prices are not set yet.
 | The XR's suspension derived from a Lapierre 26er design which was made from aluminum five years earlier, and will not be offered in an aluminum version. The parts were too heavy to construct from aluminum, but with carbon, this is a perfect material for the design. - president Gilles Lapierre |
Lapierre’s XR suspension uses no rear dropout pivot, relying on a small amount of vertical flex to do the job. Carbon fiber’s low weight and engineered directional strength makes the seat-tube shock mounting position possible.
The XR’s novel shock mount gives the rider easy access to the Fox RP23 Kashima shock’s Pro Pedal lever.
The XR on display was built with SRAM XX components, using Formula R1 brakes and tubeless Easton EC90 carbon wheels. Suspension was Fox, with the Kashima coating upgrade all ‘round. Lapierre says that three component levels will be offered: The top-drawer SRAM XX model, an XO version, as well as a Shimano Deore XT model. With the European market going wild for big-wheel bikes, expect more 29ers from this forward-thinking French bike maker. We’ll keep you posted as the XR 29er reaches final production.
Forward thinking: The right side of the XR’s swingarm extends forward of the pivot to form the front derailleur mount. The derailleur tracks the chain so that the cage always contacts the chain in the correct place for perfect shifting action.
Lapierre incorporated a carbon rocker-link to complete the XR’s full-composite theme. The aluminum sealing caps for the suspension pivots did not arrive in time for the show.
XR Frame Details:
(Clockwise) The XR’s seat and cainstays are deeply waisted to clear spinning cycling shoes. Internal cable and hose routing keep Lapierre’s new 29er looking sharp. A close-up look at the XR’s pivotless rear end and its key-for-29ers, 142/12-millimeter through axle. Semi-integrated headset cups and a short, tapered head tube keep the XR’s handlebar height efficiently low.
Powerful Formula R1 brakes are a welcome sight on the XR, as larger-diameter wheels require more stopping force.
Pinkbike’s Take on Lapierre’s XR 29er:With the European 29er takeover in full swing Lapierre is smart to begin its campaign with progressive frame geometry, a 22-pound racing weight and a no-compromise carbon fiber chassis. The XR's numbers look good for a trail-worthy 29er, so we will be pressing Lapierre for a test ride - return to Pinkbike with a full report.
For more info and release dates, check out lapierre-bikes.co.uk 
that's crazy light! I wonder how it rides with no rear drop out pivots but relying on flex to do the job?
