Lapierre eZesty AM LTD Ultimate Review

The Lapierre eZesty AM LTD Ultimate is the underdog of this group test. Not much power and not much battery capacity – but that’s exactly what makes the bike so interesting. It’s the beginning of the eMTB revolution that many riders have been waiting for.

For more information on the group test head to: The best eMTB you can buy

**Lapierre** eZesty AM LTD Ultimate | 18.40 kg | € 7,599

With just a cursory glance, it’s immediately evident that the Lapierre eZesty is not an ordinary eMTB. The frame is a lot slimmer, and you won’t find a large block in front of the bottom bracket. This is made possible by the FAZUA Evation motor, which, along with the battery, is integrated into the down tube and can be removed if necessary. The gearbox in the bottom bracket is a permanent fixture though.

Is that even an eMTB? The handling of the eZesty can hardly be differentiated from a non-motorised bike!

The compact motor has a rated output of more than 250 W and supports the rider with up to 400% of their own power. However, the torque of 60 Nm is significantly lower than the competition. The integrated battery weighs only 1.35 kg, but has a correspondingly low capacity of 250 Wh. For the rest of the 150 mm travel carbon bike, Lapierre has specced top-notch components. The wheels, brakes, and drivetrain – everything is designed for the harsh demands of an eMTB. Paired with robust tires and a FOX 36 Factory fork, this results in a total weight of 18.4 kg. An experienced mountain biker may be disappointed with this weight, but trust us, you don’t notice the weight on the trail!

Lapierre eZesty AM LTD Ultimate in Detail

Fork FOX 36 Factory 150 mm
Rear shock FOX Float DPS Factory 150 mm
Motor/Battery FAZUA Evation 250 Wh
Drivetrain SRAM X01/NX Eagle
Brakes SRAM Guide RE 200/200 mm
Seat post Lapierre Carbon Dropper 150 mm
Stem Lapierre Full CNC 35 mm
Handlebar RaceFace SixC Carbon 785 mm
Wheels Lapierre eAM+ Carbon
Tires MAXXIS High Roller II WT 27.5×2.5″

**Removable**
The 3.3 kg motor and battery unit can be completely removed from the bike, which you can then ride like a regular mountain bike. You can also send the motor in to be serviced very easily without having to disassemble anything.

**Push the Button**
To start the system, you briefly have to remove the motor and activated it. It remains activated for 8 to 10 hours. If you don’t lock the battery, you won’t need the key to do so.

**Chunky**
The chunky remote doesn’t do justice to the otherwise beautifully integrated motor. It also lights up like a disco ball when you’re on the trail at dusk.

**The Achilles heel**
The Lapierre eZesty is awesome! Unfortunately, the wallowy rear suspension clouds an otherwise brilliant impression. It also creaks when it gets dirty.

Geometry of the Lapierre eZesty AM LTD Ultimate

Size	M	L	XL
Seat tube	430 mm	460 mm	500 mm
Top tube	606 mm	636 mm	666 mm
Head tube	130 mm	145 mm	160 mm
Head angle	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°
Seat angle	75°	75°	75°
Chainstay	435 mm	435 mm	435 mm
BBaHeight	15 mm	15 mm	15 mm
Wheelbase	1194 mm	1227 mm	1259 mm
Reach	445 mm	470 mm	495 mm
Stack	607 mm	621 mm	635 mm

Lapierre eZesty AM LTD Ultimate in Review

**Helmetet** FOX Flux | **Jersey** iXS VIBE 8.1 | **Shorts** iXS VAPOR 6.1 | **Glasses** 100% Speedcraft

Although the Lapierre eZesty doesn’t look revolutionary on paper, it’s clear after just a few meters that you can’t compare this bike to a Bosch equipped eMTB. The acceleration feels very natural and its playfulness is reminiscent of a regular mountain bike. The assistance from the motor is clearly noticeable on the climbs, but far less pronounced than usual. The highest mode (Rocket) feels similar to Tour mode on a Bosch Performance CX. You won’t get that feeling of flow that courses through you when you fly uphill in Turbo mode. However, the assistance is powerful enough to get you up steep climbs – albeit much slower.

**Tuning tip:** put more volume spacers in the shock

Unfortunately, the Lapierre has some weak points with regards to the frame and the suspension. The rear end wallows on steep climbs and, combined with the already slack seat tube angle, you feel like you’re pedalling too far over the back. We recommend sliding the saddle all the way forward. On the descents, the bike impressed our team with an unprecedented level of agility, capable of playfully changing direction at a whim. If you didn’t know better, you wouldn’t think that you’re riding an eMTB – the bike feels incredibly lively and agile, inviting you to play with the terrain and the trail. The rear suspension is very sensitive and plush, but unfortunately, it doesn’t provide enough mid-stroke support on the descents either – there is some tuning potential here.

Riding Characteristics

Agility

sluggish
playful

Stability

nervous
stable

Handling

demanding
balanced

Riding fun

boring
lively

Motor feeling

digital
natural

Motor power

weak
strong

Value for money

poor
top

Technical Data

Size: M L XL
Weight: 18.40 kg
Perm. total weight: 120 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment): 101 kg
Motor torque: 60 Nm
Battery Capacity: 250 Wh
Travel (f/r): 160/150 mm
Wheel Size: 27.5"
Price: € 7,599

Rider type

Touring Rider 1

Trail rider 2

Extreme rider 3

Conclusion

The Lapierre eZesty is the beginning of a new eMTB era. Its handling is incredibly similar to that of an unmotorised bike, successfully bridging the gap between the two worlds. If you’re looking for a super agile eMTB and you’re fine with not having the most powerful motor, this is what you’re looking for! Oh yeah, if you feel like riding a regular mountain bike, simply remove the motor along with battery – the eZesty then only weighs 15.6 kg!

Tops

unprecedented agility
beautiful integration of the motor
bridges the gap to classic mountain bikes
great spec
two bikes in one (MTB and eMTB)

Flops

not enough mid-stroke support
chunky remote
underpowered in a group ride with other eMTBs
creaky rear triangle when it gets dirty

For more information head to: lapierrebikes.com