The Lapierre eZesty AM LTD Ultimate is the underdog of this group test. Not much power and not much battery capacity – but that’s exactly what makes the bike so interesting. It’s the beginning of the eMTB revolution that many riders have been waiting for.

For more information on the group test head to: The best eMTB you can buy

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Lapierre eZesty AM LTD Ultimate | 18.40 kg | € 7,599

With just a cursory glance, it’s immediately evident that the Lapierre eZesty is not an ordinary eMTB. The frame is a lot slimmer, and you won’t find a large block in front of the bottom bracket. This is made possible by the FAZUA Evation motor, which, along with the battery, is integrated into the down tube and can be removed if necessary. The gearbox in the bottom bracket is a permanent fixture though.

Is that even an eMTB? The handling of the eZesty can hardly be differentiated from a non-motorised bike!

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The compact motor has a rated output of more than 250 W and supports the rider with up to 400% of their own power. However, the torque of 60 Nm is significantly lower than the competition. The integrated battery weighs only 1.35 kg, but has a correspondingly low capacity of 250 Wh. For the rest of the 150 mm travel carbon bike, Lapierre has specced top-notch components. The wheels, brakes, and drivetrain – everything is designed for the harsh demands of an eMTB. Paired with robust tires and a FOX 36 Factory fork, this results in a total weight of 18.4 kg. An experienced mountain biker may be disappointed with this weight, but trust us, you don’t notice the weight on the trail!

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Lapierre eZesty AM LTD Ultimate in Detail

Fork FOX 36 Factory 150 mm
Rear shock FOX Float DPS Factory 150 mm
Motor/Battery FAZUA Evation 250 Wh
Drivetrain SRAM X01/NX Eagle
Brakes SRAM Guide RE 200/200 mm
Seat post Lapierre Carbon Dropper 150 mm
Stem Lapierre Full CNC 35 mm
Handlebar RaceFace SixC Carbon 785 mm
Wheels Lapierre eAM+ Carbon
Tires MAXXIS High Roller II WT 27.5×2.5″

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Removable
The 3.3 kg motor and battery unit can be completely removed from the bike, which you can then ride like a regular mountain bike. You can also send the motor in to be serviced very easily without having to disassemble anything.
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Push the Button
To start the system, you briefly have to remove the motor and activated it. It remains activated for 8 to 10 hours. If you don’t lock the battery, you won’t need the key to do so.
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Chunky
The chunky remote doesn’t do justice to the otherwise beautifully integrated motor. It also lights up like a disco ball when you’re on the trail at dusk.
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The Achilles heel
The Lapierre eZesty is awesome! Unfortunately, the wallowy rear suspension clouds an otherwise brilliant impression. It also creaks when it gets dirty.

Geometry of the Lapierre eZesty AM LTD Ultimate

Size M L XL
Seat tube 430 mm 460 mm 500 mm
Top tube 606 mm 636 mm 666 mm
Head tube 130 mm 145 mm 160 mm
Head angle 65.5° 65.5° 65.5°
Seat angle 75° 75° 75°
Chainstay 435 mm 435 mm 435 mm
BBaHeight 15 mm 15 mm 15 mm
Wheelbase 1194 mm 1227 mm 1259 mm
Reach 445 mm 470 mm 495 mm
Stack 607 mm 621 mm 635 mm

Lapierre eZesty AM LTD Ultimate in Review

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Helmetet FOX Flux | Jersey iXS VIBE 8.1 | Shorts iXS VAPOR 6.1 | Glasses 100% Speedcraft

Although the Lapierre eZesty doesn’t look revolutionary on paper, it’s clear after just a few meters that you can’t compare this bike to a Bosch equipped eMTB. The acceleration feels very natural and its playfulness is reminiscent of a regular mountain bike. The assistance from the motor is clearly noticeable on the climbs, but far less pronounced than usual. The highest mode (Rocket) feels similar to Tour mode on a Bosch Performance CX. You won’t get that feeling of flow that courses through you when you fly uphill in Turbo mode. However, the assistance is powerful enough to get you up steep climbs – albeit much slower.

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Tuning tip: put more volume spacers in the shock

Unfortunately, the Lapierre has some weak points with regards to the frame and the suspension. The rear end wallows on steep climbs and, combined with the already slack seat tube angle, you feel like you’re pedalling too far over the back. We recommend sliding the saddle all the way forward. On the descents, the bike impressed our team with an unprecedented level of agility, capable of playfully changing direction at a whim. If you didn’t know better, you wouldn’t think that you’re riding an eMTB – the bike feels incredibly lively and agile, inviting you to play with the terrain and the trail. The rear suspension is very sensitive and plush, but unfortunately, it doesn’t provide enough mid-stroke support on the descents either – there is some tuning potential here.


Riding Characteristics

4

Agility

  1. sluggish
  2. playful

Stability

  1. nervous
  2. stable

Handling

  1. demanding
  2. balanced

Riding fun

  1. boring
  2. lively

Motor feeling

  1. digital
  2. natural

Motor power

  1. weak
  2. strong

Value for money

  1. poor
  2. top

Riding Characteristics

5

Agility

  1. sluggish
  2. playful

Stability

  1. nervous
  2. stable

Handling

  1. demanding
  2. balanced

Riding fun

  1. boring
  2. lively

Motor feeling

  1. digital
  2. natural

Motor power

  1. weak
  2. strong

Value for money

  1. poor
  2. top

Technical Data

Size: M L XL
Weight: 18.40 kg
Perm. total weight: 120 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment): 101 kg
Motor torque: 60 Nm
Battery Capacity: 250 Wh
Travel (f/r): 160/150 mm
Wheel Size: 27.5"
Price: € 7,599

Rider type

Touring Rider 1
Trail rider 2
Extreme rider 3

Conclusion

The Lapierre eZesty is the beginning of a new eMTB era. Its handling is incredibly similar to that of an unmotorised bike, successfully bridging the gap between the two worlds. If you’re looking for a super agile eMTB and you’re fine with not having the most powerful motor, this is what you’re looking for! Oh yeah, if you feel like riding a regular mountain bike, simply remove the motor along with battery – the eZesty then only weighs 15.6 kg!

Tops

  • unprecedented agility
  • beautiful integration of the motor
  • bridges the gap to classic mountain bikes
  • great spec
  • two bikes in one (MTB and eMTB)

Flops

  • not enough mid-stroke support
  • chunky remote
  • underpowered in a group ride with other eMTBs
  • creaky rear triangle when it gets dirty

For more information head to: lapierrebikes.com

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For more information on the group test head to: The best eMTB you can buy

All Bikes in Test

Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0 | Focus JAM² 9.8 DRIFTERGHOST HYBRIDE SL AMR X S 7.7+ LCGiant Trance E+ 0 Pro | Haibike XDURO AllMtn 8.0 FLYON | Husqvarna HC 9.0 | Intense TazerLapierre eZesty AM LTD Ultimate | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 900E | Mondraker Level RRScott Genius eRIDE 900 TUNED | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo FSRThömus Lightrider E1 | Trek Powerfly LT 9.9


This article is from E-MOUNTAINBIKE issue #016

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Words: Photos: Trevor Worsey