Looking at purchasing a Zesty 314 but still cant decide whether the Fox Float R Rear Shock is suitable for my riding.
Can anyone tell me how well the bike climbs ? - bearing in mind that it doesn;t have the lock-out. Will it track the ground well? Will the Built in Pro Pedal be sufficient for this type of bike?
All the reviews I have read seem to give good write ups but I am used to riding a Hard Tail and just would like a little bit more advice on the bike but specifically on the rear shock.
Anyone ridden the 314?
Thanks.
James
Just want to renew this thread.
Can anyone give me advice on the Lapierre Zesty 314?
My 09 314 climbs fine, certainly better than I do. The front-end can wander a bit on rally steep sections but every bike I've had with a long fork does that (and the Zesty does it less than most I've tried). Although the rear shock doesn't lock-out or have pro-pedal (at least on mine) I've never missed it and the shock doesn't move much under pedalling alone.
I changed from an Anthem with a pro-pedal shock to the Zesty and don't regret it (nor do I find it less efficient). Compared to a hard tail you'll find it less direct but when ever I swap from my hardtail to the Zesty I don't find it noodley or anything (Zesty actually climbs better on techy stuff as the back wheel grips better).
I demoed one at the weekend and rode it without propedal all the way.
It was still remarkably responsive and had a more hardtail-ish feel than most FS bikes I've ridden.
With the full-time propedal on the float R it should have even more pop.
FWIW, I'm buying a 214 - which has the float R as well.
My gf has the original zesty 514 which has the float r (or rp3?), she rode a hardtail kona before and the shock doesn't seem to trouble her. I've never noticed any related bobbing when she is climbing; although it still gives a smooth bump swallowing ride so it won't have the instant acceleration of a hardtail. What she has missed is the ETA on her old marzocchi forks, despite a couple of comments about wanting the propedal on the rp23, given the choice I think she'd go for talas forks so she could lower the front for climbs. you could always try getting the shock pushed by TFTuned if you do have problems.
I'd go crackers to have a 314 or 514. Wish I could afford one!!!!
I have a 2009 514 with a float R and I've never noticed any suspension bob. Maybe an RP3 would help stopping the rear sagging too much uphill but I don't have a problem with a light front end, much less so that the Meta 5 it replaced. I think the main difference that the 2010 514 has is a new high volume shock or whatever they are called. Not sure what that does really?