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Pro E-MTB Check: Nico Vouilloz’s Lapierre Overvolt

03.03.2016
by

Nico Vouilloz’s immense talent has seen him clinch multiple downhill world championships, a successful stint in car rallying before turning to enduro and now E-Bikes… With the emerging E-Bike races taking place at French Nationals, Lapierre has switched their eyes away from downhill racing and assembled their Gravity Republic Team to focus on Enduro and E-Bikes. Whilst in the south of France we took the opportunity to visit Nico at home and have a closer look at his Lapierre Overvolt.

Nico Vouilloz and his Lapierre Overvolt at home in the south of France.
Nico Vouilloz and his Lapierre Overvolt at home in the south of France.
Nico's Lapierre Overvolt in Team Gravity Republic colours.
Nico’s Lapierre Overvolt in Team Gravity Republic colours. It weighs in at around 21.5kg.
Whilst the Lapierre E-Bike range utilizes a mix of Bosch and Yamaha motors, it is the German motor the team have opted for.
Whilst the Lapierre E-Bike range utilizes a mix of Bosch and Yamaha motors, it is the German motor the team have opted for.
The Bosch motor is paired with a 400KH battery.
The Bosch motor is paired with a 400KH battery.
Up front is a Bosch Intuvia display.
Up front is a Bosch Intuvia display.
Nico's cockpit consists of Truvativ's Jerome Clementz signature bars in 770mm. This is paired to a Lapierre stem at 45mm, whilst using SRAM Guides for stopping power and SRAM XX1 for shifting.
Nico’s cockpit consists of Truvativ’s Jerome Clementz signature bars in 770mm. This is paired to a Lapierre stem at 45mm, whilst using SRAM Guides for stopping power and SRAM XX1 for shifting.
It's the small details....
It’s the small details….
A Lapierre 1° ANGLESET has been used to give Nico a steeper head angle.
A Lapierre 1° ANGLESET has been used to give Nico a steeper head angle.
The 170mm RockShox Lyrik has had bottomless tokens inserted to prevent bottoming out with the added weight of the E-Bike.
The 170mm RockShox Lyrik has had bottomless tokens inserted to prevent bottoming out with the added weight of the E-Bike.
On the back Nico runs a Rock Shox Monarch Plus RC3. He claims to run a higher rebound rate compared to his enduro bike to make the suspension more "dynamic".
On the back Nico runs a RockShox Monarch Plus RC3. He claims to run a higher rebound rate compared to his enduro bike to make the suspension more “dynamic”.
A 125mm RockShox Reverb is paired with a Fabric Scoop Shallow saddle in team colours.
A 125mm RockShox Reverb is paired with a Fabric Scoop Shallow saddle in team colours.
Nico runs the standard crankset supplied with the motor / bike. He will soon upgrade to SRAM's E-Bike specific groupset in the coming months.
Nico runs the standard crankset with a 14T sprocket and HT T1 pedals.
A SRAM XX1 drive train lays down the power.
A SRAM XX1 drivetrain lays down the power.
Nico runs SRAM Guide brakes with large 200MM rotors front and rear.
Nico runs SRAM Guide brakes with large 200MM rotors front and rear.
Nico runs a prototype mud tyre from Michelin in 2.5.
Nico runs a prototype mud tyre from Michelin in 2.5 on a prototype carbon rim from SRAM.
Nico runs a SRAM Wheelset with ROAM hubs. Lapierre already use 'Boost' hubs on the rear, but will shift to them on the front too.
Nico runs a SRAM Wheelset with ROAM hubs. Lapierre already use ‘Boost’ hubs on the rear, but will shift to them on the front too.
An extra securing on the magnet ensures that it doesn't budge and the connection is not lost to the sensor. On the rear, Nico says it's crucial to run a grippy tyre to ensure traction and breaking are maximized. He runs a Michelin Grip'r in 2.35 with strong enduro casings.
An extra securing on the magnet ensures that it doesn’t budge and the connection is not lost to the sensor. On the rear, Nico says it’s crucial to run a grippy tyre to ensure traction and breaking are maximized. He runs a Michelin Grip’r in 2.35 with strong enduro casings.
Nico Vouilloz Lapierre Overvolt Action Shot.
In action on his home trails.

For more information on the Overvolt visit the Lapierre-Website.

You can keep up to date with Nico’s racing by liking his Facebook-Page.

Words & Photos: Ross Bell

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