The new Lapierre Overvolt AM Carbone GLP II Team 2020 has been conceived as an eMTB made for racing and represents the cutting-edge technological offering from the French brand. The development team, working with mountain biking legend Nicolas Vouilloz, has chosen to build the bike around a Bosch motor but has developed a unique concept that goes against current trends. We’ve got all the information and details here!
Make sure to check our first ride review of the Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team.
Connectivity, integration, SUV use, utility and versatility are the current buzzwords in eMTB development. The recent introduction of the newest Bosch motor generation has seen many manufacturers update their ranges to offer more versatile bikes with a wider range of applications. They often feature modular battery concepts, though battery integration is now a must-have feature – even Moustache Bikes, long-time advocates for external batteries with their Hidden Power design, have switched over to an integrated battery. However, the Lapierre Overvolt AM Carbon GLP II Team 2020 bucks that trend. GLP stands for “Gravity Logic Project” so it should come as no surprise that the multiple Downhill World Champion and World Cup winner Nico Vouilloz played a key role in developing the bike.
What’s new with the Lapierre Overvolt AM Carbone GLP II Team 2020?
Trail performance, handling and clever details are the key aspects of the new € 8,499 Lapierre Overvolt AM Carbone GLP II Team 2020. Nicolas Vouilloz and the Lapierre development team know that balance is much more important than just reducing weight. In order to achieve that, the French brand has settled for an external 500 Wh Bosch PowerPack battery, with a similar concept to the one that Lapierre introduced with the Overvolt AM 2017. The updated Overvolt AM is now fitted with the new Bosch Performance CX motor, has resolved several of the teething troubles of the original and elevates the concept to the next level. The whole bike is conceived around finding the optimal position for the external battery and designing the rest of the new full carbon frame to accommodate this in turn. That has allowed the centre of gravity to be moved even lower and has further improved the balance and handling of the bike.
The new Lapierre Overvolt AM Carbone GLP II Team 2020 is around 2kg lighter than its predecessor! The weight savings have been made in a number of areas. To start with, the carbon frame alone loses 300 g without compromising on stiffness or durability.
Going against the trend for internal batteries, the French brand has equipped the Overvolt AM Carbone GLP II 2020 with an external battery. The Bosch PowerPack 500 weighs around 400 g less than a PowerTube 500. However, it should be noted that Lapierre have forgone range (that could be increased with a Bosch PowerTube 625 Wh battery) in favour of cutting weight and increasing trail performance. Last but not least, the new Bosch Gen4 motor is around 1,300 g lighter than its predecessor.
In addition, the new Overvolt AM Carbon GLP II 2020 features a new linkage and redesigned suspension kinematics. The changes are intended to optimise the balance between traction and efficiency for the uphills.
A persistent problem with external batteries is their tendency to rattle on rough terrain if the mount doesn’t hold the battery perfectly securely. An aluminium plate on the new Overvolt AM Carbone GLP II is supposed to eliminate any unwanted vibrations.
The new model keeps the kinked seat tube which we often find can cause problems with limited insertion depth available for a seat post. Whilst this has been increased by 2 cm, the size M frame can still only accommodate a 125 mm travel dropper post, while a size S can only take a 100 mm dropper. L and XL frames can now be fitted with a 150 mm dropper.
Lapierre has also adopted the increasingly popular mixed wheel size concept for the new Overvolt with a 29” wheel up front and a 27.5” wheel at the back to combine the best of both worlds.
Lapierre Overvolt AM Carbone GLP II 2020: weight, geometry, sizes and availability
The new Lapierre Overvolt AM Carbone GLP II 2020 is available in four sizes: S, M, L and XL. In comparison with its predecessor, the chainstays have been shortened by 35 mm (to 440 mm), the seat tube angle has been steepened (size dependent; for a size M it is now 76°) and the reach (454 mm in size M) has increased. As Lapierre fits shorter cranks (160 mm for S and M, 165 mm for L and XL) the bottom bracket has also been lowered. The bottom bracket drop is now 15 mm, compared with the previous 5 mm drop. All this is supposed to add up to a bike that handles better and elicits the feeling that you are integrated and at one with the bike.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 390 mm | 430 mm | 460 mm | 500 mm |
| Top tube | 578 mm | 610 mm | 642 mm | 676 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 135 mm |
| Head angle | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° |
| Seat angle | 79° | 76° | 76° | 76° |
| Chainstay | 440 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm |
| BB Drop | 15 mm | 15 mm | 15 mm | 15 mm |
| Reach | 425 mm | 454 mm | 484 mm | 515 mm |
| Stack | 615 mm | 625 mm | 634 mm | 647 mm |
Lapierre Overvolt AM Carbone GLP II 2020 – model overview
Two models are available, both with a full carbon frame, Bosch Performance Line CX motor, 500 Wh PowerPack battery and RockShox suspension.
Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team – € 8,499
The top-end Lapierre Overvolt GLP II Team is equipped with a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate RCT3 Charger fork, wireless 12-speed SRAM AXS EAGLE drivetrain and the new SRAM G2 RSC four-pot brakes with a large 220 mm rotor up front. In contrast to the more affordable Overvolt GLP II Elite model, the Team model has carbon rather than aluminium wheels. One unique aspect of the Team model is the Lapierre rucksack containing a 300 Wh spare battery (Bosch PowerPack 300) that you get with your purchase. That lets you increase your range, without carrying all too much weight in your rucksack. The Maxxis MaxxTerra tires with their EXO casing save some weight, but don’t suit a bike that was designed for maximum trail performance or even racing.
Motor Bosch Performance CX Gen4
Battery Bosch Power Pack 500Wh + Power Pack 300 Wh as additional battery
Display Bosch Purion
Fork RockShox Lyrik Ultimate RCT3 Charger, 160 mm
Rear shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT Trunnion
Drivetrain SRAM AXS EAGLE, 12spd
Brakes SRAM G2 RSC 4-Kolben, 220 mm/ 200 mm
Stem Lapierre CNC, 35 mm(S,M) 45 mm (L,XL)
Handlebar Lapierre Alloy 6061DB, 760mm
Seatpost Lapierre, 100 mm(S) 125 mm(M) 150 mm (L,XL)
Tires Maxxis Assegai EXO+ 3C MaxTerra 29×2.5” / Minion DHR II EXO+ 3C MaxTerra 27.5×2.8”
Wheels Lapierre eAM+ CARBON
Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Elite – 5.999 €
For € 2,500 less you can have the Lapierre Overvolt GLP II Elite which offers almost the same high level of performance thanks to its carefully selected components. Instead of wireless shifting, you’ll have to make do with mechanical components that offer the same 11-50 t range. Instead of the SRAM G2 RSC brakes, the Elite model is fitted with SRAM Guide RE brakes, though these are also a four-pot design and have 220/200 mm disc rotors.
Motor Bosch Performance CX Gen4
Battery Bosch Power Pack 500Wh
Display Bosch Purion
Fork RockShox Lyrik RC, 160 mm
Rear shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT Trunnion
Drivetrain SRAM GX EAGLE, 12spd
Brakes SRAM Guide RE 4-Kolben, 220 mm/ 200 mm
Stem Lapierre CNC, 35 mm(S,M) 45 mm (L,XL)
Handlebar Lapierre Alloy 6061DB, 760mm
Seatpost Lapierre, 100 mm (S) 125 mm (M) 150 mm (L,XL)
Tires Maxxis Assegai EXO+ 3C MaxTerra 29×2.5” / Minion DHR II EXO+ 3C MaxTerra 27.5×2.8”
Wheels Lapierre eAM+ ALLOY
First impressionsk
With its aggressive looks and unique battery concept, the Lapierre Overvolt AM Carbone GLP II 2020 should generate significant interest for all those who are looking for good handling and maximum trail performance. Both the geometry and technical details look very promising. We hope to find out how the concept translates into reality and how this bike compares with other Bosch-equipped models during an in-depth test soon. That said, Lapierre team- and test-rider Nico Vouilloz has already put the bike through its paces – with some success. It’s only recently that he won an ebike race aboard the new GLP II 2020. It’s clearly not holding him back, so we’re excited to see what it can do for our riding.
For more information head to bikes-lapierre.de
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of E-MOUNTAINBIKE, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words: Robin Schmitt Photos: Manne Schmitt, Lapierre
