More than 18 Enduro World Series victories, three world championship titles and four French championship titles speak for themselves. Since the first Spicy saw the light of day in 2007, the Enduro has been at the forefront of the best all-rounders. To keep it that way, Lapierre has given the Spicy an extensive makeover and made it fit for today's demands of enduro trails and bike park use. It goes without saying that, like so many other manufacturers, the French have opted for a high-pivot concept for the new edition of their classic. But the Spicy wouldn't be a Lapierre if the developers hadn't come up with something very special. But read for yourself.
Details of the new Lapierre Spicy CF 2025
- Area of application: Enduro
- Wheel size: 29" / Mullet
- Front / rear suspension travel: 180 / 170 (29") or 174 (Mullet) mm
- Frame material: Carbon
- Prices: 5499 - 10,000 euros
- Frame weight: 3.2 kg (manufacturer's specification)
- Special features: new kinematics with high-pivot/low-pivot concept, new geometry, more flip-chip options, toolbox, additional size XS
Lapierre Spicy CF 2025 - the game changer?
In the spirit of innovation that has characterised the brand for over 30 years in the mountain bike segment, Lapierre wanted to develop a new enduro bike that would revolutionise the enduro vision and market. The concept behind the new Spicy CF is a modern enduro mountain bike designed to appeal to a wide range of enduro riders, whether they are bike park enthusiasts or riders looking to tickle the last tenth in enduro competitions.
With its unique high-pivot/low-pivot concept, the Spicy CF aims to be the solution for all challenges in the enduro segment.
According to Lapierre, today's enduro scene is divided into two different types of riding. Enduro competitions require mountain bikes that are easy to ride downhill, are light and responsive, ride well uphill and have suspension travel that allows them to tackle steep, technical descents comfortably and quickly.
On the other hand, there are the bike park riders who need the best possible downhill skills: crossing scree, steep slopes, jumps and transfers. Phases in which kinematics, jumps and balance in the air are of crucial importance.
There are also the trends: Full 29'' or Mullet. With the new Spicy, Lapierre aims to cover all areas of use equally.
The new Spicy CF can be summarised as follows
- A frame
- Two disciplines: Enduro race or bike park
- Two rear triangle concepts: High Pivot or Low Pivot (HP or LP)
- Four configurations: HP or LP, 29'' or Mullet
- Two rear suspension travels: 174 mm (Mullet), 170 mm (29")
- Carbon frame made from UD SLI fibres, weight 3.2 kilos (M)
Kinematics - the centrepiece of the project
With the Spicy CF, Lapierre wanted to create something truly innovative in terms of kinematics. The idea of allowing two swingarm positions (high or low pivot point) by swapping the rocker link is unique on the market. To achieve this, the position of the shock absorber and the pivot point of the swingarm have been completely redesigned with the aim of maintaining the same progressive curve regardless of the HP or LP configuration. It should also be suitable for any type of air or steel spring damper! The new curve should be much more progressive in the mid-travel range and more responsive overall compared to the old Spicy thanks to a completely revised gear ratio.
Why two different pivot points?
The position of the main pivot point on the rear triangle influences the kinematics and the behaviour of the rear wheel. In the high pivot position, the rear wheel rebounds further than in the low pivot position, which means that large impacts can be absorbed better.
If the impact is the same, the swingarm rolls over the obstacle in a different way in the high pivot position, with the rear wheel moving backwards so that it hits the obstacle less. The idler pulley above the bottom bracket is then mandatory to reduce pedal kickback. The position is calculated in such a way that it has a similarly low pedal kickback as the version with a low pivot point.
In the low pivot position, the rear triangle moves less far back so that riders can return to the normal configuration without a pulley, which should lead to more efficiency and dynamics when pedalling.
One special rocker, two positions
To enable the two positions, the Lapierre Spicy CF has two different aluminium rockers. A 15T pulley reduces the rebound effect in the high pivot position. According to Lapierre, the high pivot position is intended to provide more stability as well as a suspension that is more orientated towards descents. The whole thing is designed for enduro use in the toughest terrain. The low pivot position, on the other hand, is intended to promote a more dynamic riding style and is designed for enduro trails with more extreme pedalling sections.
Mullet or 29" - the Lapierre Spicy gives you the choice
In addition to the different rear suspension kinematics, the Spicy CF also offers the option of being ridden with a 27.5 or 29 inch rear wheel. This also results in two different rear suspension travels: 174 mm in the mullet version and 170 mm in the 29er setup. To ensure that suspension and geometry are perfectly balanced in every configuration, Lapierre also uses two different flip chips that allow a total of three positions.
Because of the many different suspension configurations, there are three positions for the adapter at the lower shock end. This is where it gets a little complicated, as the correct flip chip must be used in the recommended direction to ensure that the suspension behaves in perfect balance with the geometry. The flip chip does not adjust the height of the bottom bracket, but helps to maintain the correct geometry of the frame according to the HP or LP position of the shock and the rear triangle.
Geometry at the pulse of time
In collaboration with the enduro team riders, the developers have worked intensively on the geometry and made some changes compared to the predecessor.
- SEAT TUBE ANGLE As with all new Lapierre models, the seat angle has been increased to 78°, which should shift the rider's centre of gravity forward and improve their position when riding uphill
- REACH The usual consequence of a more upright seat angle is a shorter top tube, which is compensated for by a longer reach to keep the weight on the front of the bike and ensure good weight distribution. This is also beneficial for stability and handling at high speeds.
- HEAD TUBE ANGLE The head tube angle follows the development of the suspension travel on the fork (+10 mm) with a slacker steering angle. This request also came from the riders of Team Lapierre Zipp Collective, who wanted more stability and precision in fast corners and on descents.
- HIGH BOTTOM BRACKET The aim here was to find the right balance between the lowest possible ground clearance for optimum downhill performance and the need to ensure that an enduro bike does not touch the ground when pedalling. In the end, the bottom bracket was set 3 mm higher to compensate for the additional suspension travel, but is practically identical in the SAG (30 %).
New size - Lapierre Spicy now also in XS
The new Spicy CF is available in a total of five sizes and is aimed at a wide range of enduro riders. In particular, the development towards a longer reach has prompted Lapierre to develop a smaller size for team rider Isabeau Courdurier. However, young riders in particular should also be able to benefit from the new kinematics concept.
The frame concept of the Lapierre Spicy CF - completely rethought
Due to the new high pivot/low pivot concept, a completely new frame was also necessary. Lapierre relies on high-quality DU SLI carbon fibres. In total, the new frame consists of more than 600 individual parts to ensure optimum rigidity. Particular attention was paid to the lateral and torsional stiffness of the rear triangle. The bridge between the seat stays is designed to give the bike more precision and a better ride feel. In addition, the shock has been positioned particularly low in the frame, which should result in a better centre of gravity. The toolbox integrated into the down tube also underlines the approach of having the lowest possible centre of gravity. The weight of the frame in size M is said to be 3.2 kilos.
Although a steering stop is already integrated in the headset, a semi-soft rubber protects the upper end of the down tube from the fork crown, but a rubber protector is also fitted to the lower end of the down tube.
Tools or jackets can be stored in a safe place in the integrated toolbox with inner pocket. It also prevents noise.
Lapierre Spicy CF - the model range
All models sold are supplied directly in the high-pivot version, with a special kit for conversion to the low-pivot version. In addition, all models are supplied as standard in a mullet version. Lapierre will offer the Enduro Spicy in four model variants. All are based on the same carbon frame. In terms of equipment details, there is something for all bikers. Entry into the world of the latest carbon enduro bikes is possible with the Lapierre Spicy from 5499 euros. In contrast to other manufacturers, the limit is still an extremely expensive 10,000 euros.
Lapierre Spicy CF 6.9
- Price: 5499 Euro
- Weight: 16,5 kg
- Front / rear suspension travel: 180 / 174 mm
- ChassisRockshox ZEB Select Charger RC / Rockshox Vivid Air 2
- DriveShimano SLX/Deore 12s
- BrakesShimano Deore 4-piston, 203 mm brake discs
- ImpellersRodi Tryp30 EVO
Lapierre Spicy CF 7.9
- Price: 6499 Euro
- Weight: 16.1 kg
- Front / rear suspension travel: 180 / 174 mm
- Chassis: Fox Float 38 Performance Elite GRIP2 / Fox Float X2 Performance
- Drive: Shimano SLX / Deore
- Brakes: Shimano SLX 4-piston, 203 mm brake discs
- Impellers: DT Swiss E1900 Spline
Lapierre Spicy CF 8.9
- Price: 6999 Euro
- Weight: 16.0 kg
- Front / rear suspension travel: 180 / 174 mm
- Chassis: Fox Float 38 Factory GRIP2 / Fox Float X2 Factory
- Drive: Shimano XT / SLX
- Brakes: Shimano XT 4-piston, 203 mm brake discs
- Impellers: DT Swiss EX1700 Spline
Lapierre Spicy CF Team
- Price: 10,000 euros
- Weight: 15.8 kg
- Front / rear suspension travel: 180 / 174 mm
- Chassis: Rockshox ZEB Ultimate Charger 3 RC2 / Rockshox Vivid Air 2 Ultimate
- Drive: Sram X01 Eagle
- Brakes: Sram Code Silver 4-piston, 220/200 mm brake discs
- Impellers: DT Swiss EXC1501 Spline
Lapierre Spicy CF Team frameset
- Price: 3699 Euro
- Damper: Rockshox Vivid Air 2 Ultimate
Stefan Frey
Editor
