Lapierre Xelius DRS 10.0 long-term Review

With its new Xelius which replaces both the old Xelius (multi-purpose/climbing bike) and the air code (aero bike), Lapierre has high ambitions. To succeed in its bet, the brand has put all its know-how and three years of work into developing a frame that seeks performance in order to return to the highest level of world cycling, while allowing amateur cyclists to also have fun through a frame that is intended to be versatile, responsive and comfortable. Is it successful? This is the question that this article will attempt to answer after not far from 1000 km traveled.

Text: Olivier Dulaurent – ​​Photos: Lapierre, ©UgoRichard, @Sergio Villalba, 3bikes.fr

It has not escaped anyone's notice that after a long partnership between the team originally known as the French Games (now Groupama – FDJ) and Lapierre, the love story ended at the end of 2023 and this same if the Dijon brand continued to equip the girls of the FDJ – Suez team in 2024.

But after a period that could have seemed like a transition year – we are talking about the 2024 season – it is good a brand new Xelius model that was presented starting from a near blank sheet. Lapierre insists on this point and on the three years of development which have already resulted in supreme title of Olympic Champion of Cassandre Beaugrand. At the end of July in Paris, the triathlete had thus made the new Xelius DRS shine on the first step of the podium, but it took an expert eye to guess the new version under the rather flashy enamel.

The genesis of the Xelius DRS spanned three years of work. For the brand, it was important to respect the DNA of the bike and in particular what had characterized this frame. UParticular attention has been paid to aerodynamics in order to go even further than the Aircode frame without denying what made the previous Xelius.

So the rigidity was not intended to be extreme. As the brand explains, "We could make 100 on a base going up to 100, that is to say a totally inflexible frame. But maximum rigidity does not necessarily mean maximum performance, even for a sprinter of Arnaud Démare's level." Here, it is a relative elastic effect that is sought, rather accompanying the cyclist during his effort instead of requiring additional energy to move forward.

Well aware that performance depends in particular on aerodynamics, theThe work was carried out with the aim of also preserving the characteristics of the bike in the lineage of the Xelius (versatile behavior and shock absorption with the part located between the top of the seat stays and the upper tube, called 3D Tubular), Lapierre has focused in particular on the area located at the bottom of the head tube, with a horizontal part that seems to make the junction between the down tube and the fork. All the work on the aero has, according to the manufacturer, allowed increased performance of 15% compared to the Xelius SL3 and Aircode DRS, or gains ranging from 7 to 10 seconds every 10 km (depending on the speed of evolution).

Two levels of frame construction are available : the UD SLI series and the UD SLI Team series, the differences between which concern the percentagetagand high modulus fibers and the ratio between rigidity and reactivity.

In terms of weight, although significant research efforts have been concentrated on this, it should be noted that the Xelius DRS frame is approximately 50 g heavier than the old Xelius SL 3, with 790 g for the Team version and 908 g for the classic version (in size M). However, Lapierre insists that this weight is also at the service of aerodynamics. and that this is a potentially penalizing parameter only for slopes greater than 8% for amateurs and 10% for professionals. However, it is obviously necessary to take into account the fact that even on a stage of mytagne, including in the case of steep slopes, there are also many kilometres with gentle slopes, flat, false flats and of course descents, i.e. moments when aerodynamics will prevail over weight. On this subject, one of my companions on the ride, to whom I was sharing my enthusiasm about cycling, asked me a bit mockingly at the end of the ride "So did you feel those 50g extra?". We are talking here about 0,06% of the total weight of the bicycle (7 kg) + cyclist (70 kg).

On route

The first laps with the Lapierre Xelius DRS 10.0 took place the day after its official presentation to the press, in order to get out of the Dijon metropolitan area where the brand's historic districts are located. This necessarily means its share of bleeds and potholes. In these conditions, The comfort seems pretty good, not particularly brittle but not as soft as a cyclosport-oriented bike.

What could be more normal at this level. However, it should be noted that the Continental 5000 STR Tubeless tires stick to a 25mm size (pressure of 5 and 5,5 bar respectively for the front and rear during this first outing), instead of a current trend which tends rather towards 28 mm, in accordance with the needs of braking grip of the discs, width of current rims (including these DT Swiss ERC 1100 Spline)… and the need for comfort.

Who says built-up area also says traffic lights and therefore restarts, especially since the group of around twenty cyclists requires some effort by dragging behind between two roundabouts.

Moreover, at first glance, the bike already seems pleasant to restart as soon as you stand on the pedals. The overall rigidity appears uniform across the entire bike (tube, bottom bracket and rear triangle) and accompanies the pedal stroke.. It is therefore not necessary to adjust your dancing gesture to make the bike come alive.
A few kilometres further, when it is possible to drive without interruption, the impressions are confirmed. The dosage of rigidity does not require a significant expenditure of energy to make the whole thing work. as is the case with the "piece of wood" type frames which only express themselves at high power associated in this case with a high pedaling cadence.

First impressions are often good (by recent comparison of one's personal bike) and these were verified during the almost 1000 km traveled with the bike, but obviously the sequence and the "crossing" of outings with other bikes has precisely allowed to refine these first sensations.

Although this is a bike that could potentially equip the world's cycling elite (and Lapierre is working on this subject), The Xelius offers accessible behavior to a wide range of cyclists, of different levels. That is to say that if a real beginner can find it very rigid but will be able to praise its fluidity, conversely if it is a cyclist in average physical condition or another of a better level but wishing to do an endurance outing, the bike is characterized by this pleasant and considerate side.

Le test of a bump occurring suddenly after a well-conducted flat section (and tired legs) does not deceive: You don't have to fight the bike to feel like you're moving forward. Similarly, in these circumstances where fatigue is present – ​​and therefore muscular coordination no longer allows the legs to turn quickly enough – the bike does not crash its user.

Of course, like any performance-oriented bike, It is preferably accompanied by rather high pedaling cadences to function optimally but it also allows the use of low cadences, whether due to fatigue as mentioned above or for strength exercises, the kind of sessions which highlight the correct passage or not of the dead spots during the pedaling cycle.

The Xelius offers behavior accessible to a wide range of cyclists, of different levels.

Thus, the Lapierre Xelius does not give the impression of stumbling on climbs when riding at a steady pace, while its responsiveness works wonders when you have to accelerate. This point is also its main component and its great quality: the ratio between responsiveness and rigidity seems ideal. Once again, this very appreciable characteristic will allow it to suit a wide range of cyclists. And the same cyclist will feel that This new Xelius can adapt to different powers developed: efficient on the attack but pleasant when coming out of relaxation.

To these performance-related characteristics, the Xelius 10.0 also adds an interesting weight, even if this parameter was not the primary objective. With 7,31 kg on the scale in size XL with a pair of pedals, the two bottle cages and the computer support, the whole is well placed compared to the competition. This of course has a favorable impact on climbing performance and contributes to the dynamic qualities of the Lapierre Xelius.

Moreover, and even if my qualities as a sprinter are more evidenttagand as a fault, even putting the maximum watts that I can get out, the bike does not twist under this maximum stress, helped in this by wheels which follow the movement and which precisely offer an overall homogeneity with the frame: there is no weak link in the equation.

Even if it remains impossible to quantify in absolute terms, the bike offers real aero sensations, especially when riding with companions. route who are equipped with bikes less optimized in this aspect. Another example, on each part which becomes descending and this is particularly evident in a false flat, The bike generally goes miles per hour easily, especially since it is not weighed down by excessive rigidity.

In real descents the main characteristic is the precision of the front, a phenomenon that is particularly noticeable on tight bends. It is a real pleasure to take an angle at the entrance to the bend by placing the front wheel exactly where you want. Once on the trajectory, the Xelius does not flinch any more while giving enough confidence to allow slight corrections if necessary. As a corollary of this characteristic, the whole thing is quite lively in very fast parts (more than 70 km/h) exposed to the wind, without this becoming a defect due to excess nervousness. Lapierre explains that he deliberately equipped the bike with wheels with differentiated rim heights: The DT Swiss are therefore 45 mm high at the back and 35 mm at the front, to allow you to keep " a light direction ». This has indeed been verified in the field and an outing with a 45 mm front wheel seems moretagand "place" the front of the bike (in addition to offering better aerodynamics) but the lateral sensitivity is obviously greater.

Here, it's just a matter of compromise and orientation of practice and it is possible to imagine that the user who will fall for such a bike will also be able to equip himself with a pair of wheels dedicated to performance on very rolling (and little windy) courses.

Anyway and to summarize the behavior in the descending parts, the Handling/stability ratio is rather in favor of handling without being afraid of it. Especially since confidence increases over the kilometers, once you have understood the behavior. But above all, the incisive side gives a fun, even playful side to the Lapierre Xelius.
The combination of rim heights (35 mm at the front and 45 mm at the back) accentuates the versatile and playful side of the bike, whether it's going downhill as mentioned here or even going uphill due to the overall responsiveness.

In the behavior of the Xelius DRS 10.0 of the test, it is necessary to specify that it is the highest-end frame (called SLI Team), displayed at € 10 in Shimano Dura-Ace. As for the model located just below in the range, the Xelius DRS 000, it uses the frame quality (called SLI) located in second position in the hierarchy and is positioned at € 9.0. If the rigidity is theoretically close to the Team model, the weight and the level of reactivity are not as good as the most expensive version. This frame has not been testand over the trial period.

Furthermore, the 10.0 model, which therefore benefits from the Shimano Dura-Ace group, is thus perfectly supported in its behavior by a transmission and braking without reproach. Light, smooth, precise, fast, easy to dose while being powerful in terms of braking, enduring, this set is a reference.

En conclusion

The initial question was whether Lapierre would succeed in releasing a frame at the level of the best on the market. The answer is yes because all the elements expected for a top-level bike are present: sufficient comfort, perfectly balanced rigidity for many riders, comfortable everywhere, whether uphill or downhill or on the flat, what is also striking is the playful side of the bike. If the term may seem overused because it is difficult to imagine that a high-end bike brings more than any other high-end bike, on the ground it is really the impression that predominates. It is the very example of the bike that simply makes you want to go pedaling because its user is certain that his physical and technical involvement will find an extension in the pleasure of riding.

Of course, this has a very high cost in absolute terms, €10. But compared to those charged by the competition for this level of service, it is rather well placed.

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