The XR marks a new direction in Lapierre's cross-country segment. The platform was developed in collaboration with the Lapierre PXR Racing team and responds to the changing requirements of modern XC racing. We have all the information on the new Lapierre XR.
Lapierre presents the XR as a newly developed cross-country platform for cross-country racing. The model can look back on a 25-year career in racing. From their World Cup expertise, the French know that XC routes today not only demand efficiency on the mountain, but also control at high speeds in technical passages. The new race bike from Lapierre therefore utilises state-of-the-art 29-inch wheels with 120 mm suspension travel at the front and rear. The model range comprises five equipment variants.
The Lapierre XR in detail
- Application: Cross Country / Marathon
- Suspension travel: 120 / 120 mm
- Wheel size: 29"
- Frame weight: from 1730 g
- Weight of complete bike: from 10.4 kg
- Price: from 3799 Euro
- Special features: Flex pivot, flip chip
French sports suspension
The Lapierre XR utilises a newly developed kinematics concept that aims to combine pedalling efficiency with an active chassis. According to the manufacturer, the anti-squat properties should ensure efficient power transmission when climbing, while the rear wheel should always maintain contact with the ground in technical terrain. The shock mount has been repositioned to provide more scope for development when fine-tuning the suspension and to lower the centre of gravity. This should improve handling and offer more safety during precise manoeuvres.
An asymmetric cover on the Lapierre XR allows access to the lower suspension of the shock absorber without having to compromise on stiffness and weight. Due to the new design, the race bike does not have a bottle cage mount on the seat tube. Instead, a second water bottle or a tool kit can be mounted under the top tube. The revised geometry also promises to position the rider more centrally in the bike compared to its predecessor with shorter top tube and longer head tube lengths. The head angle is 66.6 degrees flat, the seat angle 76.1 degrees steep. A flip chip allows the bottom bracket height to be individually adjusted by five millimetres. This allows racers to customise the bike to their personal preferences or the respective route.
World Cup-ready
All models in the Lapierre XR family use the same frame platform, kinematics and geometry. However, the top model, the XR 10.9, uses a special UD racing layup that is even more focussed on low weight and high responsiveness. Speaking of weight: Lapierre has optimised the carbon structure of the chassis and reduced the frame weight for the new XR to 1730 grams. The complete bike should weigh from 10.4 kilos.
For the new development of the XR, Lapierre relied on the expertise of its own Cross Country World Cup team. Among others, the feedback from Nicole Koller, sixth overall in the 2025 season, Anne Terpstra, double World Cup winner and Anton Cooper, sixth place at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, was incorporated into the new bike. Their workhorse, the Lapierre XR 10.9, uses RockShox SID Ultimate suspension and a SRAM XX SL drivetrain. An FSA KFX i30 Team Edition carbon wheelset should ensure direct acceleration and a precise ride feel.
Models, weights and prices
- Lapierre XR 10.9 - 10,000 euros / from 10.4 kg
- Lapierre XR 9.9 - 6999 Euro / from 11 kg
- Lapierre XR 8.9 - 5799 Euro / from 11.8 kg
- Lapierre XR 7.9 - 4799 Euro / from 12, 2 kg
- Lapierre XR 6.9 - 3799 Euro / from 12.8 kg
Conclusion
Cross country is all the hype in 2026 and Lapierre is following suit with a new, independent race fully. With an upright rear shock, the French company has created a unique selling point. A reduced weight and optimised suspension promise more performance on the race track. The XR is another exciting racing option for the new cross-country season! - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
