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Lapierre builds first Fully with Fazua drivetrain

Florentin Vesenbeckh

 · 08.07.2018

Lapierre builds first Fully with Fazua drivetrainPhoto: Florentin Vesenbeckh
Lapierre builds first Fully with Fazua drivetrain
Last year, the new Fazua drive gave hope for a new E-MTB category. The motto: light at last! Now Lapierre is presenting the first fully with the minimal-assist drive.

With their new E-Zesty, the French company Lapierre is setting an exclamation mark and presenting one of the most exciting e-mountainbikes at Eurobike 2018. Minimal assist drive from Fazuawho has so far only been involved in Race hardtail Raven2 from Focus was used on the mountain bike.

The Fazua drive enables particularly lightweight e-bikes. The photo shows the motor and gearbox units. You are more likely to take a second of the 250 Wh energy storage unit (not in the picture), which weighs just 1.2 kg, with you on tour.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The Fazua drive enables particularly lightweight e-bikes. The photo shows the motor and gearbox units. You are more likely to take a second of the 250 Wh energy storage unit (not in the picture), which weighs just 1.2 kg, with you on tour.

The special features of the Fazua drive in brief: light, compact, no pedalling resistance. As the motor can simply be removed from the frame, the bike can also be used as a normal mountain bike without a drive. The maximum motor power is significantly lower than that of a Bosch or Shimano drive, so the system is aimed at e-bikers who want a natural and sporty riding experience that is not too far removed from a normal bike.

The new E-Zesty has been the new non-motorised models Zesty and Spicy based on it. Both the suspension kinematics and the geometry are very similar. Ten-time downhill world champion Nicolas Vouilloz was also involved in the design of the E-Zesty. "We gave the E-Zesty a little more progression due to the higher weight in the rear triangle," explains Vouilloz.

12 gears: The 12-speed cassette of the Sram NX Eagle is approved for E-MTBs.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh 12 gears: The 12-speed cassette of the Sram NX Eagle is approved for E-MTBs. The damper is protected in a recess in the carbon seat tube.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The damper is protected in a recess in the carbon seat tube. Well protected: The lower part of the battery and the motor unit are shielded from rough stone impact by rubber applications.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh Well protected: The lower part of the battery and the motor unit are shielded from rough stone impact by rubber applications.

The E-Zesty has a full carbon frame and comes with 160 millimetres of travel at the fork and 150 millimetres at the rear as a potent trail to enduro bike. It remains to be seen what range and weight the French will achieve with the production bike. Developer Nicholas Vouilloz told us that he had already managed 1000 metres in altitude on one battery charge during his own test rides. In terms of weight, Lapierre is aiming for a good 16 kilos for the E-Zesty, which would be a considerable figure. Based on our experience with the Fazua drive, we expect a higher weight.

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Lapierre has installed its own carbon dropper post. Ridden with the minimal-assist drive from Fazua, the weight plays a somewhat subordinate role. If you remove the motor unit, however, things look different.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh Lapierre has installed its own carbon dropper post. Ridden with the minimal-assist drive from Fazua, the weight plays a somewhat subordinate role. If you remove the motor unit, however, things look different. The in-house carbon rims should help the Lapierre E-Zesty to achieve its target weight of just over 16 kilos.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The in-house carbon rims should help the Lapierre E-Zesty to achieve its target weight of just over 16 kilos. Space remains for a drinking bottle.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh Space remains for a drinking bottle.

There will be two models of the Lapierre E-Zesty, which are expected to be available from February 2019 at prices starting at €5999.

The facts about the Lapierre E-Zesty

  • Fazua drive with a maximum torque of 60 Newton metres (manufacturer's specification)
  • 250 Wh battery
  • 160/150 millimetre spring travel
  • Full bean frame
  • 27.5 inch, tyre clearance up to 2.6 inch width
  • Targeted weight: a good 16 kilos

Battery integration for Yamaha drivetrains

In addition to the new E-Zesty, Lapierre has also revised its Yamaha models. The 500 Wh batteries will be integrated into the down tube from 2019, similar to the Bosch Powertube models. In both the TR line, i.e. the 130 mm bikes, and the AM line (150 mm suspension travel), the entry-level model is equipped with the Yamaha motor.

The Yahama models have also been revised at Lapierre. The 500 Wh batteries are integrated in the down tube from 2019.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The Yahama models have also been revised at Lapierre. The 500 Wh batteries are integrated in the down tube from 2019.
Florentin Vesenbeckh

Florentin Vesenbeckh has been on a mountain bike since he was ten years old. Even on his very first tour, he focussed on single trails - and even after more than 30 years in the saddle of an MTB, these are still the quintessence of biking for him. He spent his youth competing in various bike disciplines and later his cycling career was characterised by years as a riding technique coach. Professionally, the experienced test editor now focusses on e-mountainbikes. In recent years, the qualified sports scientist and trained journalist has tested over 300 bikes and more than 40 different motor systems in the laboratory and in practice.

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