The new Lapierre Spicy can be converted from a high pivot to a regular four bar Horst link in just a few simple steps. There’s never been anything like it. But does the concept of the new € 6,999 enduro bike work, and is it the game changer that Lapierre promise, or is there a good reason that nobody has tried this before? We put it to the test to find out.
In life, you have to make decisions: mountains or sea, car or bike, co*ke or Pepsi, Star Wars or Star Trek, hardcore high pivot bike or boring standard linkage? Admittedly, that last question is probably exclusive to mountain bikers, but in these times of high pivot hype, it’s likely asked all the more often. Lapierre now have something which might just be perfect for the indecisive, and the obsessive tinkerers amongst you: a stealth 2-in-1 enduro bike. On weekdays, it’s a nice, sensible Horst Link four bar enduro bike, but on Saturday nights, it puts on an idler pulley and morphs into a rad high pivot machine. Incidentally, the entire adjustment system was conceived by none other than mountain bike legend Nicolas Vouilloz.
As standard, the bike ships in the high-pivot configuration with a small 27.5″ rear wheel – i.e. mullet setup. However, all the hardware needed for the low pivot and a full 29″ setup is included (except the 29” rear wheel itself). The bike can’t be ordered as a full 29er. But more on that later! We had the opportunity to test the € 6,999 bike exclusively for one day in Morzine, together with the Lapierre Zipp Collective.
The 2024 Lapierre Spicy CF in detail – Stealth 2-in-1 bike
At first glance, the Lapierre Spicy CF looks very edgy and modern. The angular head tube, the low shock, and the low-slung top tube make for an aggressive, fast look. The smaller lettering and slight fade in the paintwork, on the other hand, look a little more subtle and clean.
To protect the frame, Lapierre equip it with a shuttle guard at the top of the down tube, so you can chuck it over the tailgate of a pickup truck without fear of damage, as well as a skid plate to fend off flying debris and stumps. Hiding under a hatch in the skid plate, you’ll find an integrated storage compartment. The cover can be removed together with the bag, providing ample storage space for a puncture repair kit or the like inside the frame. Although the twist lock is easy to use, its position on the down tube means your hands are going to get dirty if it’s a wet day. The chainstays and seat stays are well protected from the chain thanks to rubber covers, keeping the bike quiet on the descents.
The internal cabling is routed through the headset and doesn’t just ensure peace and quiet, but also keeps the co*ckpit nice and tidy. For those who do a lot of tinkering or prefer short service intervals, you’ve also got the option of routing the cables through ports on the side of the frame. 2-in-1 all the way. No matter which option you prefer, the internally routed cables are all encased in sleeves, appearing briefly under the shock before disappearing again in the rear end. This leaves plenty of slack for both rear-end options.
Switching between high pivot and low pivot on the 2024 Lapierre Spicy CF – The all-inclusive rear end
First of all, all models of the new Spicy ship with a small 27.5″ rear wheel and a high-pivot configuration. But you also get everything you need for the conversion. This includes a differently shaped rocker, a small mudguard, a chain guide, and a flip chip. But does the variable rear suspension concept stand out on the bike? The answer: hardly The additional pivot point in the frame is only visible from the non-drive side, and it’s covered with a sturdy rubber plug. On the drive-side, the attachment point for the idler pulley doubles as the attachment point for a chain guide in the low-pivot position. Nice!
If you didn’t know about the variable 2-in-1 rear suspension concept, you could easily miss it. The bike looks complete in every configuration.
For the conversion, the position of the main pivot point, i.e. the point at which the chainstays attach to the frame, is moved downwards, and the idler pulley gets replaced with the included chain guide. You must also swap out the rocker link, so we definitely recommend using a bike repair stand – this isn’t a trailside repair, like you might switch around a flip chip. There’s also a small mudguard that prevents the shock from getting bombarded with mud in the low position. Finally, the chain must be shortened when converting to the low-pivot configuration. If you want to convert back to the high-pivot setup, you will need a second – longer – chain, or you can replace the removed links with a second quick link. The former would be the more elegant solution. Lapierre claim that the conversion takes around 45 min to 1 h. However, experienced mechanics can probably do it in less than half an hour. Lapierre advise getting your dealer to do it for you.
The components of the Lapierre Spicy CF 8.9 – Close, but not quite perfect
The Spicy CF 8.9 on test is almost flawlessly specced. The 180 mm travel FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 fork provides plenty of adjustability and top-notch performance, leaving nothing to be desired – except perhaps for the new GRIP X2 damper that FOX recently released. The FOX FLOAT X2 Factory shock is extensively adjustable too, controlling 174 mm travel at the rear. Both feature the golden Kashima coating for a striking look, though it doesn’t offer any noticeable added value compared to the next best Performance Elite models.
The drivetrain and brakes come from Shimano’s XT range. The four-piston brakes offer tool-free lever reach adjustment and are paired with 200 mm rotors front and rear. This setup provides loads of stopping power – only very heavy riders might want to consider upgrading to 220 mm rotors in the front. The cable-actuated, 12-speed XT drivetrain shifts as reliably and smoothly as ever – no need to remember charging your battery before hitting the trails. The TranzX dropper post is cable-actuated too, but it’s a little too short for modern standards. In the size M on test, it offers just 150 mm drop (L = 170; XL = 200). To make matters worse, the seat post can’t even be inserted all the way into the frame due to the kink in the seat tube. All of this ads up to limit your freedom of movement. The aluminium DT Swiss EX 1700 wheels are shod with a Schwalbe Magic Mary in the Ultra Soft rubber compound on the front, and a Schwalbe Big Betty Soft at the rear. While the rubber compound is fine, the thin and puncture-prone Super Trail casing isn’t entirely suitable for a bike of this calibre. All in all, this build brings you to a total of € 6,999. Considering the variable rear suspension concept –including all hardware needed for the conversion – the development, and components, this is a fair price.
Lapierre Spicy CF 8.9
Specifications
Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 180 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 174 mm
Seatpost TranzX Rad+ 150 mm
Brakes Shimano XT 200/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT 1x12
Stem Lapierre 35 alloy 45 mm
Handlebar Lapierre Thirty Five 800 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss EX 1700 29"/27.5"
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary, Super Trail, Addix Ultra Soft/Big Betty, Super Trail, Addix Soft 2.4"/2.4"
Technical Data
Size XS S M L XL
Specific Features
High pivot or low pivot setup
storage compartment in downtube
flip chip
Tuning tip: When the tires are worn, replace them with more robust Super Gravity models.
The different build variants of the 2024 Lapierre Spicy CF
Slotting in below the bike on test, there are 2 more affordable variants, with the Team Edition sitting at the top of the range and priced accordingly. All of them come with carbon frames made of the same high-quality fibres and featuring the same variable rear end concept, including Lapierre’s complete conversion kit. If none of the stock builds meet your needs or you’re just looking to upgrade your frame, Lapierre are also offering a frameset including a RockShox Vivid air shock for € 3,699.
The most affordable model is the Spicy 6.9, relying on RockShox suspension from the Select line. This means limited adjustability and a step down in performance with the RC damper. The Shimano DEORE groupset usually does the job, but it’s not that easy to adjust ergonomically. The even shorter dropper post is a bitter pill to swallow, offering just 130 mm drop in size M. This is well below average, and doesn’t do justice to a bike of this class. The most affordable model weighs 16.5 kg, and priced at € 5,499, we’d recommend waiting and saving up a little more – the next model up offers a lot more performance for not a lot more cash.
The € 1,000 more expensive Lapierre Spicy CF 7.9 is our top tip. For € 6,499, the bike comes equipped with FOX’s excellent Performance Elite suspension. The fork merely dispenses with the golden Kashima coating, offering the same adjustability as the Factory series, whereas the shock also has to make do without high-speed rebound adjustability. We can live with these minor shortfalls, as they’re barely noticeable on the trail. The Shimano XT drivetrain is combined with SLX brakes, which are reliable and robust. The only downside is the dropper post: 130 mm is far too short for a size M, needing an immediate upgrade. Weighing in at 16.1 kg, it’s easy to handle off-trail too.
If you’re looking for some top-end components, and you’re a fan of SRAM/RockShox, you won’t want to miss the Team model. It features the RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork at the front and high-volume Vivid air shock at the rear. As such, the suspension is incredibly supportive and offers consistently high performance. For the drivetrain, Lapierre rely on the mechanical SRAM X01 Eagle – we’d expect more considering the price. The SRAM CODE brakes are paired with a carbon DT Swiss EXC 1501 wheelset in an effort to keep the weight down. Speaking of which, the complete bike tips the scales at just 15.8 kg, though most of the weight saving comes from your wallet – it’ll set you back a whopping € 10,000.
The geometry of the 2024 Lapierre Spicy CF
The new Lapierre Spicy CF is available in 5 sizes, accommodating riders from 152 to at least 188 cm, with sizes XS to XL. Since the predecessor stopped at size S, the XS frame is an especially welcome addition for the Lapierre Zipp Collective’s smallest and most successful rider, Isabeau Cordurier. The bike’s geometry has also been updated, with a steepened seat tube angle of 78°, as well as a slackened head angle of 63.5°. The bike’s reach is a moderate 460 mm in size M, growing to 505 mm in size XL. Furthermore, the chainstay length is now frame size specific, which is particularly relevant with a high-pivot design. From size M, the chainstay length increases by 5 mm with each size, from 444 to 454 mm. Thanks to an additional flip chip in the lower shock mount, the bike can also be adapted for use with a 29″ rear wheel.
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 543,5 mm | 570,4 mm | 596,4 mm | 617,3 mm | 644,2 mm |
| Seat tube | 370 mm | 370 mm | 400 mm | 430 mm | 460 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 115 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm |
| Head angle | 63.5° | 63.5° | 63.5° | 63.5° | 63.5° |
| Seat angle | 78° | 78° | 78° | 78° | 78° |
| Chainstay | 440 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm | 445 mm | 450 mm |
| BB Height | 335 mm | 335 mm | 335 mm | 335 mm | 335 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,200 mm | 1,229 mm | 1,256 mm | 1,283 mm | 1,318 mm |
| Reach | 410 mm | 435 mm | 460 mm | 480 mm | 505 mm |
| Stack | 627 mm | 636 mm | 641 mm | 645 mm | 654 mm |
The Lapierre Spicy CF 8.9 on the trails of Morzine
In the low pivot configuration, the Spicy CF feels well-balanced on the climbs. You feel integrated within the bike, without it placing too much weight on your hands. Pedalling feels efficient and the bike doesn’t bob excessively, so there’s no need to reach for the lockout lever on the shock.
If you head downhill on flowing trails, you’ll quickly feel at home aboard the bike. You’ll find yourself positioned centrally, sitting low between the wheels, ensuring a balanced weight distribution between the front and rear. Despite having almost 180 mm of travel, you can still generate speed by pumping the bike through berms and rollers. The suspension offers plenty of support in the low pivot position, while providing sufficient feedback from the trail to help you assess traction and respond to the trail conditions. It also benefits the Spicy’s agility, allowing you to change direction with speed and precision, and reliably determine where you want to go.
The suspension irons out rough, rooty sections and keeps the wheels stuck to the ground, nonetheless. It absorbs small, fast impacts with ease. The Schwalbe Ultra Soft tire helps to keep the front wheel on track in the wet, while the suspension makes the bike feel stable and composed, instilling you with confidence even when the going gets rough.
Due to a storm, we were only able to test the low pivot version of the new Lapierre Spicy CF 8.9, unfortunately. For impressions of the high pivot bike, we’ll have to rely on an interview with EDR pro Adrien Dailly for now. He rode the low pivot variant in his first two races in Finale Ligure and Bielsko-Biała, converting his Spicy to the high pivot for the race in Leogang. As such, he should be able to draw a good comparison between the two configurations.
The high pivot setup is a bit less efficient when pedalling, according to Adrien. This is due to the increased chain drag caused by the idler pulley, as well as the higher linkage.
Adrien says the high pivot setup excels on rough descents. without many transfers. The high pivot linkage should make the bike feel even more smooth and composed over big hits. This is also the reason why Dailly rode the bike in the high pivot setup on rougher tracks like Leogang, with fewer flat transfers and pedalling sections. The Frenchman isn’t bothered by the fact that this comes at the cost of some agility, requiring more input to change direction. Conversely, the increased capability is likely to make the bike feel somewhat boring and ponderous on easier trails when in the high pivot configuration.
Who is the 2024 Lapierre Spicy CF for?
The new Lapierre Spicy CF is aimed primarily at bike tech geeks and racers who love nerding out on the subject of enduro bikes. Due to the many adjustment options and innovative 2-in-1 linkage design, the bike is an ideal choice for riders who don’t want to decide for or against a high pivot bike or want to test both to see which variant they like better. Racers like Adrien, who want to adapt their setup to perfectly suit the respective conditions, will also get maximum adaptability with the Spicy. The Spicy CF 8.9 is quite a versatile all-round weapon, serving well for both long enduro stages and epic days in the bike park.
If you’re unfamiliar with flip chips, you might be overwhelmed by the variable rear end concept, and the sheer amount of different adjustment options available to you. In that case, we only recommend buying this bike if you have a reliable dealer in the area that can assist with the conversion and fine-tuning.
Our conclusion on the 2024 Lapierre Spicy CF
While the half-and-half concept might be divisive, Lapierre’s groundbreaking 2-in-1 concept is indeed a game changer, allowing you to easily change the main pivot point of the rear linkage and thereby adjust the entire rear axle path. The Spicy CF sets the bar in terms of customisation, and it delivers impressively balanced handling. The rear suspension is progressive and offers a sensitive response off the top. We’re genuinely impressed with this unique and innovative approach. Hats off, Lapierre!
Tops
- two rear-end linkages in one bike
- sensitive response and good progression
- complete conversion kit included
- storage compartment in the frame
Flops
- the cover of the storage compartment is always exposed to dirt
For more information, visit lapierrebikes.com
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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Pierre Vieira
