2013 Lapierres Impressive Self-adjusting Shock System

Lapierre have really reaching the highest level in improving and modifying their current, well established collection including Zesty, Spicy, and DH Team, along with the list is their coolest release XR 29. All the 2013 models feature slacker head angles and longer cockpits than the current 2012 versions, plus 12x142mm through-axles and 15mm axle forks on more bikes. 

Auto adjustments 

What makes it cool is the automatic rear adjustment system - the E.I Shock. It was introduced with RockShox, the system is designed to manage the rear shock's compression and lockout settings, using a series of sensors that monitor bump forces. A stem-mounted head unit will function with special meters at the top and bottom of the fork, as well as cadence sensors in the bottom bracket. A small motor will then execute adjustments to the shock based on readings from the sensors. This means you don't worry anymore because something in your bike does the bounce for you. 

Overhauled Bikes 

Dubbed as the big-mountain bike, the slightly burlier Spicy appear to be more amazing. The seat tube is better, to take advantage of dropper seat-posts, and the chain-stays are longer for better stability at speed and through turns. The bottom bracket yoke is also stiffer, and a shorter stem combined with a wider bar makes for improved handling. A modified leverage ratio out back should improve traction on the trail. 

Elsewhere, the Zesty's head angle has dropped from 67 to 66.5 degrees, with longer chain-stays (430mm instead of 425mm) to increase stability and a new 12x142mm dropout at the rear. As with the bike's Spicy cousin, the leverage ratio has been changed to help improve grip. The Zesty can really be pushed hard and sits into its travel well. 

The DH frame hasn't just been tweaked for 2013 - it's had the full Nico Vouilloz treatment, which should have ironed out niggles to make it one of the best racing platforms in the market. Three sizes will be offered, including a large one that's based on the team's giant Kiwi rider Cam Cole. The bike also gets 220mm (8.66in) of travel compared to last year's model. 

The bottom line here is that mountain bike models are constantly improving. Thanks to these manufacturers who think of safety, productivity, and overall help to our riders. The self-adjusting shock system is really a big help to anyone who loves to ride. Imagine, you can now conquer cruel roads and trails with this bike without thinking about comfort.

Santa Cruz Highball SPX XC Review

Santa Cruz's fresh alloy frame, the Highball, carries the super stiff, big-wheeled benefit of their Highball Carbon hard tail with the cheapest price and single speed choices of the Chameleon.

The frame

The comparatively vertical 70.5-degree head angle with 100mm (3.9in) travel fork is straight off the Highball Carbon, but it is sturdy enough for a 120mm (4.7in) or even 140mm (5.5in) travel fork if you want to go looser. Stand over and mud clearance is remarkable even with a big 2.25in Ardent tire fixed too.

You've also got the selection of normal or modifiable, single speed friendly, geometry regulating dropouts fastened onto the back. Bare frames are below $800 in either blue or white stock colors with access to a massive custom paint/ decal menu for $230 extra.

The kit

The frame is stated to be 1.77kg (3.9lb), so you can still put together a practically light and adaptable complete bike with a DIY spec or Santa Cruz's complete bike choices.

Even with closely a kilo of heavy-duty tubeless tire either end (normal build kits will use the considerably nimbler, thinner Maxxis CrossMark 2.1in), the XT based SPX XC build kit it comes in at 11.33kg (24.98lb) for an average. Prices for complete bikes start at $2,300 for the DXC complete bike, with selections all the way up to full XTR with a Fox Kashima fork.

The ride

While you can adjust the head angle with your fork choice, the Highball is unsurprisingly sharp and attentive up front, associated to slacker frames from Whyte and Scott, and joined with the mid-width bar and mid-length stem that you can feel anxious when you're really whopping the Fox front fork through rocks.

Each bar twitch feels more important when you're fighting the trail too. What it does give is great 'reach-around' on snugger trails where 29ers will often run wide unless you intentionally pre-compensate. Add a skim of rear brake to kick the back end out and some forceful shoulder work and you can really rip the Highball through tight single-track. Like most 29ers it loves to surf a slide too, letting you really push the tires without ending up on your feet.

 

High toughness throughout the frame means it kicks really hard for a 29er too. There's unavoidably a bit of lag as the heavier wheels light up, but this is no wilting violet when it comes to dealing with wattage. There's also very clear tire response to make the most of the amplified grip area.

That toughness does come at the expense of comfort. Even with the big tubeless tires on our model bike running at low pressure, our hands and feet stung if we hit the bumpy local geology flat-out. However hard we rode there was no abnormality of deflation though, and you can definitely hammer the Highball through the rough firmer than a 26in wheeled hard tail.

Conclusion:

Seriously firm, tough and versatile 29er hard tail frame but it is still close to very good - one of the best you can buy.

Mondraker Tracker R - Mountain Bike Review

Mondraker's new Tracker R offers a World Cup charming suspension system at an enty-level price.

The frame

With the Tracker R, Mondraker have foregone the expensive Stealth alloy tube set of its big brother, the Factor, and opted for hydro-formed 6061 alloy in its place. The Tracker still has the similar suspension links and geometry.

The Zero suspension system functions via a RockShox Ario RL rear shock, which offers external rebound adjustment and a convenient lockout, but you will lose out on some of the Factor's future-proof details such as the lack of ISCG tabs, a tapered head tube and a standard 9x135mm rear axle.

The detail

Mondraker's own OnOff kit is pretty much in all places, which is no bad thing. We transformed the long 90mm stem for a 70mm model, to take the advantage of the beneficial head-angle and long wheelbase.

Taller pilots found the 350mm long seat-post attached with the low seat tube height marginally too low when seated. It's worth trying before you buy. The Avid brakes lack a bit of outright power so you have to be more powerful with them but they do offer decent feel.

Suspension-wise, the RockShox pairing delivered a more than decent performance after a bit of fiddling. We had to wind some preload on to the Recon Gold TK fork to help it sustain a bit more tranquility, but found the reverse at the rear - running slightly more sag than normal permitted the Mondraker to make full use of its travel better. At 14.5kg (32) the Tracker R is not the lightest but for this money, it's no rush.

The ride

The Tracker R climbs well with the shock locked out; it's no rocket but gains altitude nicely. The low bottom bracket helps on tech trails although the minimally threaded Kenda tires will hinder it in anything other than dry conditions. We'd recommend swapping them to a more aggressively-threaded number to really get the most out of mountain conditions.

When you are working the trail and descending, the bike really comes to life. That lengthy wheelbase automatically has you planted right in the middle of the bike and the Zero system between your ankles adds to the feeling that you're standing 'in' as opposed to 'on' the bike.

The RockShox Ario RL does a decent job. The initial stroke is supple which helps the bike carry speed through chatter sections. It's a pretty linear feeling platform but we don't think that that's a bad thing at this price - you always know where you are in the travel and it's easy to understand.

It's the geometry that shines through with the Tracker R. It carries more speed than it really should be able to. The numbers all add up and it's one of the most accomplished entry-level full-bouncers around.

Conclusion

Ideal to full suspension if you don't mind upgrading parts later. The Tracker R provides thrills far above its station, therefore we give the rating 4/5 which means VERY GOOD: One of the best mountain bikes you can buy.