Lapierre Xelius wind tunnel test: The race all-rounder with a big aero update

"The sooner we're back, the better it is for Lapierre." In an interview with TOUR, the bike manufacturer from Dijon makes no secret of the fact that the World Tour withdrawal after last season hurts him. For more than 20 years, the French company supplied Groupama-FDJ and its predecessor teams on the big cycling stage before being ousted by Wilier in 2024. Lapierre has given its competition all-rounder a comprehensive update to ensure that this changes quickly.

Facts & figures about the Lapierre Xelius DRS

• Weight of complete wheel: 6.8 to 8.5 kilos
• Frame weight: 790/908 grams (UD SLI Team/UD SLI)
• Fork weight: 390/425 grams (UD SLI Team/UD SLI)
• Aerodynamics: 217 watts (at 45 km/h, measured value)
• Stack/Reach/STR: 557/403 millimetres/1.38 (size L)
• Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
• Prices: 2899 to 10,000 euros

Although the Lapierre Xelius DRS is slightly heavier than the fifth generation, it is designed to be significantly faster. The French are thus taking account of current developments in the racing segment, according to which the aerodynamic development of a competition model has top priority. The days of the specialised Aircode are therefore numbered. Like other major manufacturers, Lapierre will in future only be focussing on a competition platform.

The aero tuning is primarily based on new tube cross-sections. So-called Naca profiles, which are also used in aircraft construction, and elliptical shapes characterise the frame set. In particular, the distinctive seat junction, which Lapierre calls 3D Tubular, has received a lot of attention and now looks more delicate. In short: the trademark remains, but in contrast to its predecessor, the design should now offer less surface area for the wind to attack.

Lapierre Xelius: 12 watts faster than its predecessor in the Wind tunnel test

TOUR put the new model to the test in the wind tunnel. And the results are more than impressive. With 217 watts at a racing speed of 45 km/h, the Lapierre Xelius DRS 10.0 makes a big leap forward. Although the Xelius DRS doesn't quite come close to the fastest all-rounders, the improvement of 12 watts is still remarkable. Finally, the French promise almost the same weight: the aero-optimised frame is said to be only 44 grams heavier in the highest carbon quality and unpainted condition.

The top chassis (UD SLI Team) therefore benefits from so-called high-modulus fibres, which make up around a third and are combined with "simpler" fibres from the Japanese specialist Toray. One small drawback: only the high-end model is based on the high-quality carbon fibre, all other equipment variants with the UD SLI standard are based on a 155 gram heavier frameset. TOUR calculated a total weight of 7050 grams for the top version, equipped with Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2 and aero wheels from DT Swiss. The predecessor with comparable equipment weighed in at 6914 grams, making it 136 grams lighter.

Lapierre has retained the characteristic 3D tubular system on the seat pivot in order to adapt the excellent suspension of the old model to the new one. "When we return to the World Tour, the bike will also be used in races like Paris-Roubaix. That's why comfort and aero performance were very important to us," said a company spokesperson. In contrast to conventional designs, the seat stays on the Xelius are not attached to the seat tube but to the top tube. The seat tube is therefore "free" and can swing over its entire length. Compared to its predecessor, the French promise "the same quality of vibration damping". The maximum tyre clearance is 32 millimetres.

Meanwhile, the frame geometry remains untouched, which puts the rider in a race-like riding position and promises extremely agile steering behaviour thanks to a low fork trail, among other things. Instead of the previous five frame sizes, there is now a choice of six, with the addition of size XXL for riders over 1.95 metres. New components in the form of an aero cockpit, the narrowest version measures 370 millimetres, and a flattened carbon seat post round off the sporty overall concept of the Xelius DRS.

Lapierre Xelius DRS: Equipment and prices

Lapierre is offering its new race all-rounder in eight equipment variants between 2899 and 10,000 euros. However, only the rather high-priced 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0 models are available at the market launch. According to the manufacturer, the cheaper 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 versions will go on sale a little later. With the exception of the basic model, the bikes are equipped with electronic groupsets from Shimano or SRAM. Carbon wheels are available from the Xelius 8.0 onwards, for which an exclusive wheelset was developed in cooperation with DT Swiss. According to Lapierre, the ERC 1600 with 45 millimetre high carbon rims will also be available from other manufacturers next year.

In addition to the complete bikes, a frame set is also available for 3999 euros. One of three colour options is a tribute to the Olympic victory of Cassandre Beaugrand (France), who won the triathlon competition in Paris. The new bike has therefore already made its racing debut. Now Lapierre just has to make it to the World Tour. When asked, the French bike manufacturer did not want to reveal how soon a comeback can be expected.

Lapierre Xelius DRS 5.0

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
• Brakes: Shimano 105 (160/140 mm)
• Impellers: Lapierre Road (aluminium)
• Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport (25 mm)
• Frame/fork: Carbon UD SLI
• Weight: not specified
• Price: 2899 Euro

Lapierre Xelius DRS 6.0

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
• Brakes: Shimano 105 Di2 (160/140 mm)
• Impellers: DT Swiss E 1800 30 (aluminium)
• Tyres: Schwalbe One TLE (25 mm)
• Frame/fork: Carbon UD SLI
• Weight: 8.4 kilos
• Price: 3699 Euro

Lapierre Xelius DRS 6.0 AXS

• Drive/gear shift: Sram Rival AXS (2x12; 48/35, 10-36 t.)
• Brakes: Sram Rival (160/140 mm)
• Impellers: DT Swiss E 1800 30 (aluminium)
• Tyres: Schwalbe One TLE (25 mm)
• Frame/fork: Carbon UD SLI
• Weight: 8.5 kilos
• Price: 4199 Euro

Lapierre Xelius DRS 7.0

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-34 t.)
• Brakes: Shimano Ultegra (160/140 mm)
• Impellers: DT Swiss E 1800 30 (aluminium)
• Tyres: Schwalbe One TLE (25 mm)
• Frame/fork: Carbon UD SLI
• Weight: 8.2 kilos
• Price: 4799 Euro

Lapierre Xelius DRS 8.0

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-34 t.)
• Brakes: Shimano Ultegra (160/140 mm)
• Impellers: DT Swiss ERC 1800 45 (Carbon)
• Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR (25 mm)
• Frame/fork: Carbon UD SLI
• Weight: 7.5 kilos
• Price: 5999 Euro

Lapierre Xelius DRS 8.0 AXS

• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force AXS (2x12; 48/35, 10-33 t.)
• Brakes: SRAM Force (160/140 mm)
• Impellers: DT Swiss ERC 1800 45 (Carbon)
• Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR (25 mm)
• Frame/fork: Carbon UD SLI
• Weight: 7.6 kilos
• Price: 6999 Euro

Lapierre Xelius DRS 9.0

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-34 t.)
• Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace (160/140 mm)
• Impellers: DT Swiss ERC 1400 35/45 (Carbon)
• Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR (25 mm)
• Frame/fork: Carbon UD SLI
• Weight: 7.2 kilos
• Price: 8499 Euro

Lapierre Xelius DRS 10.0

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-34 t.)
• Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace (160/140 mm)
• Impellers: DT Swiss ERC 1100 35/45 (Carbon)
• Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR (25 mm)
• Frame/fork: Carbon UD SLI Team
• Weight: 6.8 kilos
• Price: 10,000 euros