Lapierre Electric Bike Review: lapierre eBikes - Anyone have one? If so, how do you like it?

When you Google for a “Lapierre ebike Review,” you are not just seeking a simple listing of ebike specs, or a rearranged copy of a manufacturer’s website. You are searching for something deeper. You’re most likely a purist, a discriminating rider with a taste for heritage, performance, and the art of fine bicycle building. You want to find out if this storied and distinguished French brand's premium reputation holds up and carries over to the electric bike. You want to know: “Does a Lapierre ebike ride as well as the heritage of the name is known for?” Is it the right investment for my passion?”. This guide is meant to do just that. We’ll get into the nuts and bolts of Lapierre’s incredibly extensive range, offer the lowdown on real-world ride impressions of their most popular models, then we’ll look into the key things you need to consider, so that you’ll understand not only what a Lapierre ebike is, but who it’s for, and whether or not it’s you.

Lapierre E-Bike Range Overview

Lapierre has a wide and thorough bunch of electric bikes, with a neatly sorted range making sure there is a perfect model for all kinds of use. It is characterized by its riding discipline, and has distinct range names to encase what they are designed for. Here is a comprehensive breakdown by product families:

e-MTB (Overvolt Series - For off-road Adventures)

e-Road (For Paved Performance & Endurance)

e-Trekking (e-Explorer Series - All-Round)

e-City (e-Urban & Others - For urban mobility)

Real-World Ride Impressions

Enough of the catalog. Let’s get in the saddle. To really know Lapierre you need to feel how their engineering philosophy comes across on the ride. I've managed to get hands-on with a few of the key models, and the impressions really do stand out. First comes the Lapierre Overvolt AM 8.7, a flag bearer in their all-mountain e-MTB line-up. There is a purposeful feeling to the bike from the second you swing a leg over it. The geometry, based on their non-assisted mountain bikes, places you in a confident, centered position. The Bosch Performance Line CX motor is a gamechanger on the trail. It doesn’t actually push power, instead transmitting it in a more natural extension of your own effort. Kick harder on the pedals as you crest a steep, technical climb, and the motor kicks back with a surge of torque so smooth that you feel like an action movie superhero. And with its 170mm of suspension travel, the bike is incredibly plush, soaking up rocks and roots without ever feeling detached from the trail. What your eyes give you is a trail that appears daunting; what the bike helps give you is a sense of the trail being smoothed out and a faster feeling rubber, a whispered insistence to push you out of your comfort zone. It’s a tool of sheer confidence.

Jumping on the Lapierre e-Xelius SL 8.0, the sensation couldn’t be more contrasting, but is equally rewarding. This is an e-road bike that murmurs rather than screams its help. The first thing you’ll notice when you pick it up is its weight, or rather the lack thereof. It feels very much like a high-end, classic road bike. The Fazua motor system is the main feature here. Lightweight and compact, it provides such unobtrusive, natural-feeling support, you often won’t notice it; it simply feels like you have a small, constant, friendly tailwind. On a group ride, you're not easily powering past everyone on the climbs - you're just able to keep up with a lot less red-lining. The sensation is one of economy and conservation. That means you can attack that one extra hill, or add an extra hour to your ride, or just hang in with a partially faster group without completely depleting the tank. It’s a bike that makes you better, while making every day a better day. It is a refined and tasteful use of electric bike technology.

And finally, a ride on the e-Explorer 6.5 shows us what Lapierre means by performance for everyday use. For all-around comfort and ease of use, this is the trekking bike. A more upright riding position lessens strain on your back and neck for touring and long-distance riding. A Suntour suspension fork, paired with 2.4-inch wide tires, soaks up bumps from city streets to gravel paths. Most notable is the thoughtfulness of the design. A built-in Bosch PowerTube battery helps maintain a clean appearance, and the rack, fenders and lights included on the bike mean it’s ready for a trip to the grocery store or a multi-day tour straight away. The ride is stable, predictable, and luxurious. It’s the sensation of freedom and power, a partner to count on, and good-times on 2 wheels. And that’s something that gets you to leave the car in the garage and explore your world in the saddle.

Brand Philosophy and Technology

Outside of the pure ride sensation, a would-be Lapierre owner is considering the long-term relationship and the core values of the brand. What you are investing in is not only a frame and parts, but a part of French cyclisme history. And Lapierre’s professional road and mountain bike racing heritage isn’t just marketing fluff: It directly contributes to the design and engineering for its electric bikes. That's clear from the way they build frames by employing sophisticated carbon and alloy technology in a way that achieves both stiffness and light weight. Its geometry is not an afterthought but has been refined over decades of competition for the best possible handling and performance. A critical element is their voluminous use of motors. Unlike a brand that commits to one motor supplier, Lapierre chooses the best motor for each application. For their e-MTBs, they are relying on the highly powerful and dependable Bosch Performance Line CX when it comes to adventurous riding with maximum torque and trail control. For their lightweight e-road bikes, such as the e-Xelius, they opt for the compact and unobtrusive Fazua system, which allows road bikes to retain their nimble characteristics and sleek design. This one-size-doesn't-fit-all logic reflects a keen sense of rider requirements and an investment in creating the ultimate rider experience for each discipline - and that is a huge plus for the consumer. You are not getting a “one-size-fits-all answer”; you are getting a purpose-built performance machine.

Lapierre does a great job of serving the high-performance and enthusiast segments with its race-pedigreed bikes, but the reality is that many riders are looking for a different mix of abilities; one that embraces the everyday, desires all-terrain versatility and offers amazing dollar value. And for these riders, a brand like ENGWE paints an inspiring picture. Consider the ENGWE EP-2 Boost, for example. This is the folding e-bike that really does redefine what a practical e-bike can be. It features a sturdy frame with large 20 x 4.0-inch tires that will allow for nothing less than a smooth and comfortable ride on city streets as well as more rugged terrain such as beaches, sandy stretches, gravel, and dirt roads. The intelligent power is the key strength of the device. It's equipped with a EU-legal 250W motor and a torque sensor that delivers a seamless and intuitive level of assistance, reacting immediately to your pedalling style. And when you’re facing steep climbs, you can get an instantaneous power surge of 55 Nm thanks to the “Boost” button. This mix of smart help and just-in-time power would be a game-changer in cities with mixed terrain. Additionally, the EP-2 Boost is loaded with useful functionality. It has a 120 km distance range on a single charge, a removable 48V 13Ah lithium battery for easy charging, and a solid rear rack. It folds easily for apartment living, public transport and fits in a car trunk. For riders looking for a reliable, all-terrain utility vehicle which can endure daily commutes, haul cargo, and fold up for weekend getaways, the new ENGWE EP-2 Boost is a comparatively more affordable and versatile option worthy of your consideration.

Which Lapierre E-Bike is Right for You?

To help draw some lines between them within their own brand’s catalogue, I test rode Lapierre’s three reference offerings from their three main segments. This table is intended to let you find out which Lapierre family tree branch best suits your riding desires.

Common Questions About Lapierre E-Bikes

Here are responses to five hot-button questions prospective buyers may have about Lapierre electric bikes:

What motor systems does Lapierre use and which one would suit me best?

Lapierre carefully employs different motor systems to hone the performance of each bike. They mainly rely on Bosch for their e-MTB and trekking lines – a strong and reliable system with a great support network. The Performance Line CX is best for mountain bikers who desire dynamic power assistance when terrain steepens. For the trekking and city bike family, the Bosch Performance or Active Line is impressively smooth and efficient. For their go-fast e-road bikes they often spec the Fazua system. Fazua is celebrated for being lightweight and provides discreet assistance that feels perfectly natural. It can also be detached so you can ride the bike as an ordinary, non-electric bike. Your decision is down to what you are looking for: maximum power and off-road capability with Bosch, or a lightweight, stealthy e-road experience with Fazua.

Are Lapierre electric bikes overpriced?

For the right rider, they are a premium investment. The high price is indicative of a large R&D spend, good materials and high-end components. You’re buying a frame with over 70 years of racing heritage behind it and you feel it on long rides and fast descents. What’s more, you’re also buying industry-leading, proven motor and battery systems from the likes of Bosch and Fazua, not generic, untested parts. The integration, the neatness of the welds, the carbon layup process and that feeling of purposed design everywhere you look is what separates Lapierre. It’s the money you put down for performance, durability, and an unparalleled ride.

What is the battery life and integration like on Lapierre e-bikes?

Lapierre excels at battery integration. With most bikes these days (like those running the Bosch PowerTube system) the battery fits right inside the downtube of the frame. This not only makes the bike look cleaner and more like a conventional bicycle, but also provides protection for the battery and helps keep the center of gravity low and stable. The range or life of the battery depends on the size of the model’s battery (in Wh), the level of assistance you select, rider weight, and terrain. That said, Lapierre is running high-capacity batteries (500Wh to 750Wh), so you've got decent range to play with for long trail rides or extended commutes – easily 50-100km plus on 'typical' usage.

Is a Lapierre high-spec e-MTB suitable for commuting on a daily basis?

You can, definitely, but perhaps it's not the most convenient option. An Overvolt AM is a purpose-built machine. The knobby tires are made to grip dirt, and will wear out faster on pavement, causing increased rolling resistance. The aggressive suspension is too much for city streets. An e-trekking or e-urban specific model like the e-Explorer would make a lot more sense, with its comfort, efficient design, and the practical addition of fenders and racks for daily commuting. If your all-important commute also includes off-road stretches, or you simply want one bike for shredding trails on the weekend and pedaling to work on Monday, yes, this can be your everything bike with some tire swapping.

What really sets Lapierre apart from other big e-bike brands?

The unique value proposition for Lapierre is the genuine European cycling heritage of the brand backed by a modern, multi-motor approach. They are not an electronics company that’s recently started making bikes; they are a deep-in-the-dirt bicycle manufacturer that has carefully and thoughtfully added electric power. That "bike-first" mentality is reflected in their bikes and the way they handle. Their willingness to choose the best motor for the task at hand—be it Bosch, Fazua, etc.—rather than being tied to one system is a commitment to the rider first, product/brand second. The result is a platform that boasts an unusually wide range of options, in which there is one expertly tuned, highly focused tool for each purpose, and no bike that tries to be two things at once.

At the end of the day, buying a Lapierre electric bike is to invest in a performance legacy and an exciting future of rides.