Since its inception in 2017, Lapierre's Overvolt GLP was created to break the mould that was set by current e-mountain bikes. To do so, the brand repositioned the bike's mass - the battery - to be more central in the frame, paving the way for an as-yet-to-be-seen concept. Now in its third generation, the bike has gor more battery capacity and even more suspension, creating a bike that's primed for bike park riding, and enduro racing.

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The latest iteration of Lapierre's Overvolt GLP is built with the brand's top-shelf UD SLI carbon fibre which is reinforced with IM/VHM fibre in order to retain the bike's rigidity and dynamics, says the brand. The frame is then designed with a focus on cooling the motor, so it gets more ventilation and better redirection of air towards the motor. 

That leads me nicely onto the motor itself, and the Overvolt GLP III Team and SE models run Bosch's Performance CX Race motor that produces 85Nm of torque and 600 watts at peak power. That's 400% assistance and it comes with an Extended Boost mode that offers a lengthier overdrive, allowing riders to navigate techy climbs with a boost from the motor after a pedal stroke.

2023 lapierre overvolt glp 3 motor.jpg, by Liam Mercer

The motor is powered by a Bosch PowerPack external battery that Lapierre says is easily removable. This battery rustles double the power than the previous bike with 725Wh. Although, it's also heavier but located as centrally as possible. The GLP III utilises the Bosch KIOX console that's embedded into the top tube.

The wheelsize and suspension travel are where the biggest differences are found as the latest model of the GLP runs a mullet wheelsize, so that's a 650b (or 27.5) rear wheel with a 29in front. Though Lapierre stresses its pursuit of balance, so the bike is equipped with 170mm of suspension at the front, and 173mm at the rear. That travel can be damped by either an air or coil shock.

As for frame features, it's a very modern affair. The bike gets headset routed internal cable routing and there's a 150-degree knock block to keep the bars from contacting the frame in a crash. Touching back on the cable routing, the bike benefits from internal guides that should keep it rattle-free.

2023 lapierre overvolt glp 3 tt.jpg, by Liam Mercer

With the GLP III's geometry, Lapierre didn't want to compromise the playful character of the previous model. To do so, it rocks a 440mm chainstay and of course, it gets the 650b rear wheel. The brand also wanted to improve uphill prowess, so it gets a steeper seat tube angle of 77 degrees which pushes rider mass more forward on the bike and this has been done to compensate for the short chainstay when climbing by weighting the front of the bike better.

The head tube angle has been slackened by a whole degree to 64 degrees due to the 170mm fork and the top tube has been shortened, although the reach gets longer on all sizes. So a large frame benefits from a 480mm reach measurement. The standover has been lowered and the seat tube has been shrunk by three centimetres to further lower the GLP's centre of gravity.

2023 lapierre overvolt glp 3 crank.jpg, by Liam Mercer

There are three models of the Overvolt GLP III available with the Team build topping the range thanks to a RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork, a Super Deluxe Ultimate shock and SRAM X01 Eagle shifting. Along with its Renthal cockpit and Schwalbe Big Betty/Magic Mary tyre combo, this bike gets Lapierre eAM+ carbon wheels and that Bosch Performance CX Race motor.

2023 lapierre overvolt glp 3 lights.jpg, by Liam Mercer

At the middle of the range is the Overvolt GLP III SE and this one gets Fox suspension in the form of a Float 38 Factory fork and a Float X Factory shock. There's then a Shimano XTR 12-speed drivetrain and Mavic E-Deemax wheels. Like the Team build, this one gets a Bosch race motor and the same Schwalbe tyres.

The entry-level Overvolt GLP III Elite also benefits from Fox suspension but this time in its Performance Elite guise. There's a Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain and a Lapierre eAM+ wheelset. Like the others in the range, this gets Schwalbe tyres but sets itself apart from its pricier counterparts, the Elite build dons Bosch's standard Performance Line CX motor.

Only the Team and Elite builds will be available in the UK with prices at £8,000 for the Elite and £9,900 for the Team.

• www.lapierrebikes.com

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