Lapierre Zesty 514......

[smifffymoto]

I've read the reviews,looked at the web site and all the rest of it.The spec looks good,there is a dealer close by,is it worth 3000 euro and are all the reviews right.Is it really good up hill and better down or is it hype to boost a Euro bike rather than American or Taiwanese

[RickIV]

I cant fault mine - as you said - good uphill, crazy downhill, good spec & looks great. I tested most of the competition early this year and bought the 514. The only real competition was the Yeti 575 but to build it to a decent spec would have been much more expensive.

See if you can blag a test ride

[anonymous-user]

to be honest, i have never met a zesty owner on a trail who doesnt have a big smile on his face, and whilst you dont see too many of them, personally i think that says a lot. to get a serious competitor, i think you are looking at the turner 5 spot or something very similar.

[smifffymoto]

Thanks chaps,I thought I was the only one not watching X factor.I was originally looking at hardtails but after reading up and talking to an English bloke in the bike shop I've changed my mind.I want a full suspension bike and the Zesty is in front

[lsp]

What is the difference in handling between the Zesty and the Spicy ranges?
I am planning on a purchase soon, but there are not many dealers and none offering test rides.
I can't get interested in reading MB magazines, so was hoping for some real world experience reports.

[Tinkerbell]

I've had my 08 514 for quite a while, best bike I've ever ridden and I tested a lot before I settled on the Zesty.

[RickIV]

I only had a quick blast on a spicy but i noticed a bit of extra weight and i think the geometry is a bit more relaxed compared to the zesty. It climbed well but excelled on the downhills. Still a good allround bike but a bit more downhill orientated. I rode a santa cruz nomad after the spicy and it felt like a tank

[Rico]

Good set of links to reviews here - http://www.lapierreownersclub.com/forum/forumdispl...

Everyone 'does' seem to love the Zesty! Even Dirt loved it and they ended up taking it down some Downhill courses in France! Not quite what Lapierre planned for it but it coped admirably.

I'm changing my Commencal for one asap (once the wallet bashing of Christmas is out of the way that is...)

[mk1fan]

Unfortunately you'll have to ride one to see if it's right for you. It doesn't matter what other people think of it I can wax lyrical about my Cove Hustler as a comparable bike. It climbs brilliantly and descends even better.

[smifffymoto]

mk1fan said:

Unfortunately you'll have to ride one to see if it's right for you. It doesn't matter what other people think of it I can wax lyrical about my Cove Hustler as a comparable bike. It climbs brilliantly and descends even better.

A test ride would be good but in this part of France bike shops struggle to stock bikes never mind offer test rides.

[mk1fan]

That's why I said unfortunately.

At some point you're going to have to pony up and take the risk on purchasing one regardless of what other people say about them.

They do seem to be the European AM/Trail bikes of the moment though - in both the Zesty and the Spicy. And if the Mega start line was anything to go by, certainly fit for purpose.

[ratbane]

I've had several rides on both the 514, and 516. (both 2009)

I have been able to compare them against the O5 (usual suspect) and several others (as I've said before).

The Zesty was superb nice, though I terminally broke the RHS chainstay. A better bike than the O5 by a long margin IMO. Trek EXs were a bit to "tame". Didn't look at the US exotics, as they are simply too expensive.

I chose a Cannondale Rize after all tests, as it most suited my riding. I liked it's uphill ability, and it's as good as the Zesty on the downs. It's light, and very reactive to pedalling.

Personal preference I know, but I have always been reluctant to buy anything based upon magazine reviews. After buying the Cannondale, I noted that it had 5/5 on Bike Radar mind.