Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team in review – Only for racers?

Lapierre’s approach is clear: handling is more important than range. That’s why the French brand has deliberately equipped its Overvolt GLP2 with a small 500 Wh battery combined with a powerful Bosch motor. But does a bike with such a sporty and distinctive concept has a chance at winning our test as an all-rounder?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2021 – 25 models in review

**Lapierre** Overvolt GLP 2 Team | Bosch Performance Line CX/500 Wh | 170/160 mm (f/r)
21.37 kg in size L | € 7,999 | Manufacturer’s website

Back to the future: the carbon frame of the Lapierre Overvolt GLP2 stands out from the crowd of our 25-bike test field. If you’re not familiar with the Gravity Logic Project (GLP), you might be tempted to label the Overvolt as outdated: a spoke magnet, external 500 Wh battery and no room for a bottle cage. But the small and above all light battery, and its central position right in the middle of the frame have been deliberately chosen to beam the handling of the Overvolt GLP 2 straight into the future. Handling, speed and riding fun were the keywords for the Lapierre development team when designing the € 7,999 Overvolt. As such, it’s no surprise that at 21.37 kg, it’s the lightest bike with a Bosch Performance Line CX motor in the entire test field. The futuristic frame offers 160 mm rear travel and is crammed with interesting details: amongst them, the revised motor cover, a mini fender that protects the battery from impacts and dirt, as well as the integrated chain guide. However, on our test bike, this rubbed on the chain even after several adjustment attempts, while the internally routed cables produce an annoying rattling noise due to the lack of cable clamps. Despite huge amounts of LOCTITE the bolts of the rear end repeatedly rattled loose during riding. What a pity! As with the Moustache or CUBE, the Bosch Kiox display sits right next to the stem, attached to a specially developed mount. Unfortunately, the cockpit still looks cramped and untidy and cannot keep up visually with the cleaner solutions from brands like Specialized and MERIDA.

Is the spec of the Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team ready for the toughest trails?

For 2021, Lapierre replace the 160 mm fork of last year’s model with a 170 mm RockShox ZEB Ultimate, finally doing justice to the potential of the bike. While the SRAM Code R brakes with extra-large 220/200 mm discs provide reliable deceleration, they can’t keep up with the outstanding power and modulation of the Code RSCs found on other bikes in this test. Like the frame, the 780 mm RaceFace SixC handlebar and Lapierre’s in-house eAM+ wheelset are all made of carbon and help keep the weight down. Unfortunately, those previous wheels are paired with a thin-cased 27.5 x 2.8″ MAXXIS Minion DHR II tire at the rear, which could potentially be a recipe for disaster. A narrower and, above all, more robust tire at the rear would suit the racy character of the Overvolt much better.

**Hold on tight!**
If the trail feels too rough, you’re doing it wrong! The suspension of the Lapierre Overvolt GLP2 delivers outstanding performance and can handle any downhill run in the world.

**Spongy and weak**
The super-wide 2.8” rear tire with its thin and puncture-prone EXO+ casing doesn’t live up to the potential of the Lapierre. We recommend swapping the tire for a more defined and robust 2.6” Minion DHR II with the puncture-proof Doubledown casing.

**Always at hand**
With the Bosch Powerpack battery, there’s no way around a locking system with a key. The good news is that on the Lapierre, you can leave the key inserted while riding – no more stressful “Oh shit” moments when you have to change the battery.

**A matter of balance**
The external 500 Wh battery is lighter than any other Bosch battery in this test and the central position directly above the motor makes for a more balanced and lower centre of gravity.

Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team

€ 7,999

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerPack 500 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox
Fork RockShox ZEB Ultimate 170 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ 160 mm
Seatpost JD Dropper "Rad travel adjust" 125–170 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE R 220/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX/X01 Eagle 1x12
Stem Lapierre CNC 40-45 mm
Handlebar Race Face SixC carbon 785 mm
Wheelset Lapierre eAM+ Carbon 29"/27.5"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI/Minion DHRII EXO+ 2.5"/2.8"

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 21.37 kg
Perm. total weight 125 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 103 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no

**Always trying**
Clearly Lapierre wanted to minimise the breakdown susceptibility of the external sensors. To achieve this, they use anti-twist protection for the spoke magnet and wrapped the sensor in soft rubber. However, integrated sensors, like the ones found on most other bikes in the test, are still the best option, both visually and technically.

**Variable travel**
The position of the battery limits the insertion depth of the dropper post. The travel of the JD dropper post can be reduced by 30 mm without tools, which allows you to run the dropper at maximum extension.

**Corrosion-free**
An integrated fender protects the battery and connections from flying debris, dirt and splashing water.

Despite the short dropper insertion depth, Lapierre use a JD Dropper post with 170 mm travel. The true highlight of the post, besides its excellent operation, is that the travel can be reduced by up to 30 mm in next to no time, without the need for tools. Depending on how long your legs are, you can run the maximum available drop despite the 460 mm seat tube (size L). With its long reach, high front end and short rear, the Overvolt GLP2 appeals primarily to sporty riders who attach great importance to downhill handling. All the more surprising is the high level of comfort that the Overvolt offers on flat trails thanks to its sensitive suspension and balanced riding position. However, the unique battery concept doesn’t agree with long-distance rides.

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	65.0°	65.0°	65.0°	65.0°
Seat angle	79.0°	76.0°	76.0°	76.0°
Chainstays	440 mm	440 mm	440 mm	440 mm
BB Drop	15 mm	15 mm	15 mm	15 mm
Wheelbase	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Reach	425 mm	454 mm	484 mm	515 mm
Stack	615 mm	625 mm	634 mm	647 mm

**Helmet** Giro Manifest Spherical | **Glasses** Smith Optics Wildcat | **Hippack** EVOC HIP POUCH 1l
**Jersey** Dainese Hg Tsingy LS | **Pants** Dainese Hg Pants 1 | **Shoes** Specialized 2FO Roost Clipless

Small battery, top riding fun: The Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Team on the trail

On moderate climbs, the agile Overvolt GLP2 turns every trail into a playground and playfully winds itself through narrow sections. Wheelieing out of a switchback? Not a problem. But precisely this aspect, combined with the short chainstays and high front end, makes it harder to control the Lapierre on steep climbs. You’ll have to weight the front and sometimes even get out of the saddle to prevent the front wheel from lifting. Nonetheless, the sensitive suspension always generates plenty of traction. In this regard, the only limiting factor is the rear tire, which might struggle to generate enough grip depending on your weight and the pressure you can run. All in all, there are several bikes in this test that are easier to ride uphill, and we’re not just talking for inexperienced riders.

No other bike is as grippy, agile and confidence-inspiring at high speeds as the Lapierre Overvolt GLP2: a thoroughbred racer!

Tuning tips: narrower and more robust rear tire | clamp or sheathe the internally routed cables | Loctite on all pivot bolts

Downhill, the Lapierre Overvolt GLP2 feels at home on steep, technical and fast trails, where the high front and balanced suspension put you in control and inspire tons of confidence. No other bike on test is as poppy and nimble while inspiring so much confidence. Alongside the geometry, it’s the excellent suspension and balanced weight distribution that make this possible. The Lapierre wasn’t designed for flat or flowing trails. Here it gets easily bored and requires great effort from the rider to maintain its agile character and keep the front wheel tracking. If you fail to do so, you’ll quickly become a passenger. Downhill, the Lapierre is an unwanted rattle-fest. The trademark Bosch clunk and loud chain slap are irritating.

Riding Characteristics

Agility

sluggish
playful

Stability

nervous
stable

Handling

demanding
balanced

Riding fun

boring
lively

Motor feeling

digital
natural

Motor power

weak
strong

Value for money

poor
top

Application

Forest road

Flow trail uphill

Flow trail downhill

Technical single trail uphill

Technical single trail downhill

Downhill tracks

Conclusion

The Lapierre Overvolt GLP2 is one thing above all: fast! With this bike, sporty, experienced gravity riders will get their money’s worth on demanding trails. The bike has been designed with an eye toward performance but can also be demanding to ride. While in its niche the Lapierre does almost everything right, it struggles outside its area of application.

Tops

exceptional handling
phenomenal suspension
consistent and uncompromising overall concept

Flops

tires don’t live up to the potential of the bike
very limited area of application
cockpit /display integration
bolts at rear end come loose

You can find out more about at lapierrebikes.com

The test field