Back in 2019, Lapierre brought the first lightweight e-mountain bike to the market and now, in a bid to be the benchmark all light e-MTBs aspire to be, the brand has launched a completely overhauled E-Zesty. This time around, the Fazua-equipped bike gets a new suspension kinematic, geometry, and frame.

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With the new E-Zesty, Lapierre had some pretty strong ambitions as the brand strives to redefine its vision of what a lightweight e-MTB should be. The designers also wanted to equip the bike with what they reckon is the best motor around at the moment while retaining the E-Zesty DNA. 

As for the target audience, the brand reckons that the E-Zesty is ideal for those who just want one bike in a practical, do-it-all package. To hit that goal, the latest E-Zesty rolls on 29in wheels and delivers 140mm of travel.

2023 lapierre e-zesty bb.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Along with that, the new e-bike gets 72% more battery capacity thanks to a larger 430Wh battery which is combined with Fazua's Ride 60 motor, which is lighter (weighing a claimed 4.21kg with battery), smaller, and more powerful than its predecessor. This new motor has given the E-Zesty an even sleeker look while including a new top tube integrated LED hub and redesigned cable integration.

The frame itself gets a full carbon build which has been thoroughly tested to suit the needs of a lightweight e-MTB thanks to a carbon layup consisting of more HM and VHM fibres. Paired with Lapierre's UD SLI tech, this results in a claimed frame weight of 2.630kg in a medium size. The design of the frame has also allowed for easier integration of the motor, and the designers have angled it upwards as it's thought that this results in better weight distribution. Lapierre says that the package, as a whole, tips the scales at 18kg in the medium size.

There's then an all-new suspension kinematic that's been tweaked to suit the new 29-inch wheels and to make it more supportive at the middle of the stroke, and more progressive toward the end. Lapierre has also added a flip chip that lets owners slam a 650b wheel into the back of the bike.

2023 lapierre e-zesty rocker.jpg, by Liam Mercer

The four-bar linkage gets its pivots placed slightly differently compared to the old E-Zesty. With this, we're told that the bike gets improved anti-kickback and anti-squat systems for better all-around performance. 

With a new frame, comes a new geometry. Available in four sizes, the new E-Zesty gets a steeper seat tube angle at 77-degrees, which is also shorter than before. The L and XL sizes get an extra 10mm added to their reach but all bikes get a stretch in wheelbase. There's a 65-degree head tube angle and a 440mm chainstay, while a large frame's reach measures 480mm.

The E-Zesty is available in two models, with the E-Zesty AM 9.4 getting a RockShox Lyrik Select+ with a Charger 3 damper and 150mm of squish paired with  Super Deluxe Select+ from the same provider. There's then a Shimano Deore 12-speed groupset and the bike rocks long dropper posts on all sizes, with travels ranging from 125mm up to 170mm of the L and XL frames. The Lapierre wheelset then gets a 2.5in Maxxis Assegai up front and a 2.4 Maxxis DHR II at the rear.

2023 lapierre e-zesty top.jpg, by Liam Mercer

The top-of-the-range E-Zesty AM LTD is said to make no compromises. As such, it dons a RockShox Pike Ultimate with a Charger 3 damper and a Deluxe Ultimate shock. It gets a Shimano XT drivetrain that's combined with a Shimano SLX shifter, and XT four-piston brakes. Finishing off the bike is a Renthal Fatbar carbon, a lighter dropper post from Lapierre along with the brand's carbon wheels and the same tyres.

The E-Zesty AM 9.4 will retail at £6,000 and the AM LTD build will sit at £7,000.

• www.lapierrebikes.com

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