IcySmooth52

I'll be investing in a new bike soon, and I thought it was going to be the Raleigh Militis, but I had to find another option that would compete! Anyone on the board a Lapierre owner? Magazine reviews seem to rave about it, but I don't totally trust them. (Ratings based on how much their paid).

Lapierre Bicycles - Race

IcySmooth52

And not a single one?

eddiepliers 

Lapierre is a brand that I am also interested in. That Xelius looks like a great bike to ride. Are there any dealers by you that have Lapierre?

cruiserhead

Lapierre's are good

A lot more interesting than another Specialized, Trek or Cannondale. Not that they aren't nice but it's nice to get something different

rpenmanparker 

Dealer availability and stability are the main problems that I see. Already the one dealer who was carrying them in Houston has given up the line.

bbattle

I only see Lapierres in the TdF. They look like nice bikes.

IcySmooth52

Lapierre is actually the same company as Raleigh, and any LBS with Raleigh can get their hands on them. It's just not very competitive on pricing, and they're so unknown they're pretty rare in the states. (Hard to market at the price).

Shuffleman

I have seen one at a Raleigh dealer near me. It was a great looking bike. I have never seen one on a ride though. I like the fact that they are rare. Unfortunately they are pretty expensive.

Campagnono

Lapierre in France is like Trek or Cannondale or Specialized in the United States. I didn't even know you could buy a Lapierre in the U.S. at an LBS.

The Xelius is the "standard" velo de route race bike, at least here, you start out with a Xelius 100 with a 105 group (1800€) or Centaur (1900€). But you also can get a Xelius 800 with Dura Ace Di2 or Campy EPS for who knows what, 6000€+.

But I've never really seen the high-end Xelius models on the road. At that point, if you like Lapierre, you'll usually be riding an Aircode (don't know what they call it in the U.S. or if you can even find it) which is what FDJ and other pro teams with Lapierres ride. Also, most French riders at 6000€ would ride a Time, a Look, a Merida, or something custom.

Most consider a Xelius 200 with Ultegra 6800 and the 105 5800 crank the best valued option for someone looking at their first "serious" bike. That bike is 2500€ locally, 3000€ with a Stages 105 crank arm and a free Garmin 510. But I wonder if you pay more because of shipping?

In any case, if you're in that price range and want something French, a very gently used Time or Look seems like the better option.

rpenmanparker 

Are you saying that Lapierre is that large or just that common in the French market. They produce 90,000 bikes a year and are owned by the same company as owns Diamondback brand.

Campagnono

Yeah, I am not referring to anything about the brand or ownership group or production numbers, I just mean that when the average Joe on a Saturday group ride says "Check out the great bike I just got on sale for 1200€" then 9 times out of 10 it's a Lapierre. That's at least how we imagine it is for you guys with Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, etc.

No one is showing up to group rides en masse with Cielos, Moots, or Lynskeys or other great American bikes is what I meant.

rpenmanparker 

Yep, you are right about that. Understood.

IcySmooth52

I just came from a 2015 bike-show, and WOW!!! Lapierre is quite sexy... (The colors look funky on the internet, but in person they work.)

My next bike will have a chance of 99% of being a Lapierre Xelius. The 1% left is possibly the Aircode.

KantoBoy

I saw them up close on the last day. They did grab my attention.

My LBS carries them but they're priced too aggressively. I ride with a pilot that owns one which pretty much is their target market.

I have not seen a TIME retailer around my area but from the looks of it their prices are always off the charts I'm coming off from a Look 675 which I'm selling now. I was only able to afford it because it was on a deep discount.

IcySmooth52

Darn, the Lapierre Aircode is going to make my decision on the Xelius hard. Or different? Quite a sexy bike to see in person.

macca33

My local LBS here sells them - they are fairly popular over here and he tells me that they are a very good bike. He sells a few other brands, but says they are as good as the others and are nice for someone who wants something a little bit different.

I've ridden a few of their demo bikes on test-ride days and they feel nice - sharp handling and not harsh through the contact points.

I like their colourways quite a bit, but will retain my CAAD10s for now - lest the missus get grumpy(ier)!

cheers

IcySmooth52

I ended up getting a Lapierre Xelius 200, and just got back from my 1st spin: WOW. It handles smooth and is an amazing climber.

shoota 

Congrats. Fine bikes.

KantoBoy

post pictures!

IcySmooth52

There's a few changes to be made, so it's to early to have a whole photo-shoot. But here's Layla right before her maiden voyage. Bar tape not installed because bars will be changing anyways.

TysonCook

I have a 2010 Lapierre Xelius 800 FDJ version. It is stiff, and most are correct, you wont see them here in the US. One thing to note... Do yourself a favor and buy a replacement rear derailleur hanger because sooner or later you're going to snap it off, and it is a major PITA to search for a replacement in french, over the internet, and having it shipped. Trust me on this one!

IcySmooth52

Actually, you'll be seeing more Lapierres over here soon. They have an importer that's making plans to bring over only their carbon bikes, and sell them as the Bugattis of their lineup.

KantoBoy

Nice to see "uncommon" bikes.

Believe me, when I went to the tour this year, FDJ's Lapierre bikes were one of the more beautiful ones aside from the Focus' for AG2R.

IcySmooth52

Why do you say the Focus bikes?

xscottypx

found a Xelius 200 for sale here locally for $1500. i initially wanted a cannondale caad 10 ultegra but for the price i am quite interested in the lapierre. a local shop here started carrying the brand but they are also a Raleigh dealers that makes sense.

it's been a beast to find info about them in the US.