Howdy folks.
I want to but a 27.5" Lapierre Zesty. I am still undecided whether to go carbon or not. I would love some input.....
Also, I am not going to be able to sit on various different sized bikes due to me living in thee middle of nowhere. I am 5'11" (180 cms) tall, and am wondering if I need a Medium or a Large.
Thanks
If you are spending £3k-ish surely it's worth driving a few miles to try one yourself?
You are exactly right....It's a day's journey for me, but worth it. I would hate to order the wrong sized bike...
You need to sit on one to see if the wiiiiiiiiiide chainstays (the new 'narrower' ones are a 'bit' narrower in the middle but the same width where it matters) are going to be an issue.
There is NO way I could cope with it.....even if it was the best bike in the universe (but I ride like BOD).
if you can afford it, go carbon, and i suspect you'd want a large, unless for some reason you have very short arms for your height, or ride ridiculously tight trails!
at 5"11 i'd say large, i'm a hair over 5"9 and ride a medium spicy but would have no problem riding a large either.
Make sure you helitape or protect chainstays. If you've got over size 8 feet you'll rub off paint within a month or two on non-drive side.
Thanks for all your feedback chaps.....Much appreciated.
I am unsure what the wide chainstay issues are??
It's the way they've housed the rear brake inside the chainstay. The reason I went to Commencal when buying new bike and not replacing with another Zesty. Ironically, Commencal have just done it on new Meta.
What's the down side of the new brake housing position??
Clipping heels.
You have to take the caliper off to swap pads (and have a ball ended 5mm to do it).
Mud trap.
Interesting...Thanks for the feedback.
Without opening a can of worms.....What alternatives would you recommend in a similar vein to the Zesty?
YT Capra or Mondraker Foxy XR.
Personally, i wouldn't directly compare the Zesty to the Capra. The Capra's a bigger, heavier built longer travel bike imo
If you go for a mondraker buy shares in a bearing supplier at the same time.
the ride nicely but burn through bearings like nothing i've ever seen. . . other than an sb66 switch link.
I'm a big Zesty fan (had two), but the chainstay thing does seem to come up a lot from people who've ridden the new ones.
Saracen Ariel, Canyon Spectral, Orange 5 or Alpine and the new Giant Reign would be on my list if I wanted a new 650b shred sled.
Orbea Rallon
Cannondale Jekyl (Alu one is HEAVY)
Canyon Spectral.
I'm 178cm and very happy with an older medium zesty. I tried a large spicy and it was too big for me, but at our height there's going to be an element of taste in the choice.
On the heel rub, the previous owner of my 2011 clearly had heel rub issues with the older chain stay design. I don't find I do. I think you need to ride one...
Zesty 27.5 owner here. Cracking bike. Once I got over removing the invisiframe from my seatstay with my heel on the first ride... I have gotten used to it and no longer clip my heels. I think riding with flat pedals helps.
I did look at the Norco Range or Sight as an alternative, nice spec at nice price. Geometry looks good on paper but like everyone else says try before you buy..