Posted on March 26, 2022 by Jordan Villella

Lapierre is back in the cross country game, and it’s ready to ride for the podium with thoroughly updated XR and XRM models. The updates focus on weight, geometry, and kinematics, taking the third generation of XR to new heights.

The Lapierre XR first launched in 2013 as a cross-country race-ready alternative to the Lapierre X-Control. The Lapierre XRM is a more capable version of the XR, with a bit more weight but more travel; the XRM is designed to tackle trail features and take on gnarly obstacles or serve as the perfect marathon race bike.

The last update to the Lapierre XR line was in 2017, and a lot has changed in the cross-country world since then. Lapierre must have been watching closely at the trends as the updated XR and XRM appear ready to take on the big dogs of cross country.

The XR is the lighter, more race-focused of the two new frame offerings, with 100mm of front and rear travel, available in a standard carbon, and an optimized carbon layup for added weight reduction. The XRM bumps the travel up to 120mm front and 110mm rear, not focused on weight reduction but more so on versatility.

Lapierre made it no secret that weight reduction was a critical design focus for the XR line. While pushing for lighter frames, Lapierre refined its carbon manufacturing process. Moving from standard pre-impregnated unidirectional carbon fiber to a new carbon construction method, it calls UD SLI (Unidirectional Superlight Innovation). Utilizing unidirectional Torayca carbon fibers, praised for exceptional lightness, strength, and stiffness. Lapierre can keep the strength of the frame high and the weight relatively low, for the cross country experts.

Lapierre developed a new polypropylene rigid mandrel to optimize these new UD SLI fibers. This mandrel gives greater precision in the layup process, and better compression of the fibers in the mold. The goal was to do away with excess resin while maintaining a frame that can put up with the rigors of mountain bike riding.

Wouldn’t a lighter, thinner frame crack easier? Lapierre says the new layup process is stronger than the previous and is optimized to keep strength in high-impact areas. Lapierre states there are over 300 sheets of carbon fiber per frame, and because of the strength, it has been possible to reduce the thickness of the tubes wherever possible.

Lapierre shaved a lot of weight from simplifying the rear triangle, removing pivots, and thinning out the seat stays, resulting in a claimed 90g saving. Thanks to the new UD SLI layup, the chainstays are nice and stiff, somewhat bulky but have thinner walls.

Lapierre claims a bare frame (excluding the shock, bearings, and bolt hardware) of the XR / XRM Team comes in at 1,772g. The standard version of the bare frame comes in at 1,970g.

Another focus on the updated XR and XRM was suspension kinematics. Lapierre changed the rear shock placement and, with the new pivotless and thinned-out rear triangle, developed a unique suspension they dubbed Optimised Sensitivity System.

Lapierre suspension engineers moved the shock underneath the top tube to compress more directly. They also placed the pivot above the bottom bracket and slightly higher than the previous years to counteract pedal kickback when the suspension compresses. The change reduced stress on the seat tube, and a molded carbon “shield” helps protect the stanchions from bits of trail debris.

Lapierre says the kinematics of the new flex seat stays allows a constant sag as they maintain a neutral position when the sag is set at 26 percent, independent of the rider’s weight.

The Lapierre XR and XRM join other mountain bike manufacturers, moving towards a longer reach, steeper seat tube angle, and slacker head angle. The XR features a reasonably relaxed (for XC) 67-degree head tube angle, and the XRM gets a full degree drop to 66-degrees. The seat tube angle is steepened by one degree from the outgoing model to 75.5 degrees on the XR but remains 74.5 degrees on the XRM.

The updated frames feature internal cable routing, guided by a Kevlar-lined mold through the front triangle, exiting near the central pivot and entering again at the rear triangle. Both models used a PF 92 press-fit bottom bracket.

The new XR is available in three different builds ranging from entry-level race to SRAM Eagle XX1. No prices have been released for the Lapierre XR / XRM line builds.

The Lapierre XRM is available in two comparative builds; one SRAM and one Shimano, ready to tackle the trails and races.

Check back for more information and updated pricing, or check Lapierre.com

Jordan Villella is a staff writer for BikeRumor.com, specializing in cross country mountain, gravel, road, and race tech. He has been writing about the bicycles and bike culture for over ten years with no signs of stopping.

Prior to BikeRumor, Jordan raced at the professional level and wrote for MTBR and now-defunct Dirt Rag Magazine. He’s covered races, including World Championships and World Cups — where he loves to report what the pros are riding.

Based in Pittsburgh, PA — Jordan spends his time coaching cyclists of all abilities with Cycle-Smart, racing bikes around North America, and adventuring with his family.

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