The concept
The concept is simple: instead of focussing on power, minimal-assist bikes rely on less power. And less battery capacity. On the other hand, these bikes should have a natural mountain bike feel. The French company Lapierre is leading the way. But the German manufacturers are also involved. After all, the eZesty is powered by the Bavarian Fazua motor. The highlight: if you remove the down tube unit, the bike remains roadworthy - just three kilos lighter. The affordable model shown here weighs 16.6 kilos. That's not a sensational weight - but the "two bikes in one" effect is impressive.
On the trail
The Fazua motor purrs smoothly and whisper-quietly up the mountain. The eZesty has a balanced geometry with short chainstays. The rearward sloping seat tube and the long head tube position particularly tall riders far back on the climbs. This means you have to put a lot of pressure on the front wheel. However, technical, steep climbs are not the strength of minimal-assist eMTBs anyway. On descents or undulating trails, the eZesty comes up trumps with its playful trail bike genes. Manualing through bumps, pulling off off-road edges, squeezing into berms - the eZesty is bursting with playfulness. We like!
For whom?
For those who appreciate the support of e-mountainbikes on steep climbs, but are usually travelling in eco or trail mode instead of turbo mode, these minimal-assist bikes are definitely of interest. This E-Light mountain bike is one of the best in this new category. It also looks very similar to the normal Zesty. The only thing we would like to see even lighter is the weight. Another big player in the category is the Specialized Levo SL with a slimmed-down Brose motor. The Expert model (€ 8700) weighs in at 17.6 kilos - the disadvantage: the Brose motor is louder and the battery is permanently integrated into the bike.
Facts (in 27.5 inch/size L)
Spring travel: 150 mm / 150 mm
Reach: 460 mm
Stack: 626 mm
Chain stay: 436 mm
Steering angle: 65°
Seat angle: 74,5°
Bottom bracket height: 343 mm
Wheelbase: 1237 mm
Weightfrom 19.6 kg
Info: www.bikes-lapierre.de
The Lapierre eZesty with Fazua motor is available in two versions. We tested the more affordable AM 9.0 for 5999 euros. The top model AM LTD saves another kilo. The price here is 7700 euros.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
