I’ve ridden them all (and owned two).
Firstly, I wouldn’t touch a 2010 5 spot (funky geo). The 2011 is a very efficient climber and a composed if not exactly thrilling descender. Brilliant thing to own and the customer support is unequalled.
The knolly is a lunatic downhill and has great traction going up but is not highly efficient so you’ll need a lot of propedal to counteract bob. What year are you being offered? The major problem is due to the seatpost angle; correct fit is essential or you’ll find yourself way too far behind the bb and struggle to get the power down. Nothing I’ve ridden since has been such a scream pointing down though.
Limited time on the lappy, but it felt good in all situations if a bit “lightweight” My major concern is that lappy will not sell you a replacement rear or front if you break it unless you are the original owner. Personally, I’d not touch a used one because of this.
In your boots, I’d out for a covert. Ace bikes.

Why not that Rocket on the Classifieds?, climbs surprisingly well, better than my old HL 5 Spot and is a superb descending bike.

If it’s a 12/13; I’d go for the knolly. Bit of a no-brainier IMHO.

You’ll be okay with a large Endorphin at 6′, just use a shortish (60mm) stem.

Have you rode a 2010 five spot mate??

Can’t comment on the knolly.

I see a lot of people slating the 2009 and 2010 5 spots saying they had rubbish geometry. Dave Turner said himself somewhere that he only changed it due to the bigger headtube etc. Said people are normally riders of the later models who have jumped on the bandwagon.

I actually owned a 2009 and 2010 five spot and also a lot if other bikes and none of the other bikes I’ve ridden hold a candle to the 2010 5 spot!

What size is the Turner btw as I had a large and found it to small!

I normally ride a large in most things specialized (enduro, pitch and stumpy) I had a large zesty and a large BFe.

I bought a 2009 large 5 spot and it was to small even with a 110mm stem. Had to get and xl in the end!

If you’re more at the XC end of the AM spectrum, the turner may be the ticket. The knolly and spicy are/feel more DH focused. I found the 5 spot short, even shorter than the SC I’m now on. The build quality and attention to detail on the knolly is amazing, but as you have correctly noticed due to the STA, sizing is very important and it’s not the most efficient on fire road climbs (where the turner excels).
I suppose the knolly is like a crazy uncle, and the turner more like a sensible dad.

I’ve not ridden any of the bikes in question so little help there.

However, I was under the impression that the Zesty & Spicy shared the same frame, with different shocks etc. to change the travel. So if you thought the Zesty was flexy you may find the Spicy the same. But don’t take my word for it.

And if you where picking on looks alone, the Knolly looks great.

I’ve ridden a Knolly and a Turner……….for me the Knolly was much more fun …dh biased possibly …turner more cx biased …..can’t comment on the lapierre …apart from its French

I’ve got a 2010 Zesty and Spicy (Zesty is going to my Dad). They aren’t the same frame and feel pretty different. As noted above the Zesty does feel pretty flexy in comparison to a 160mm ‘AM’ bike like the Spicy.

Love the Spicy myself, never ridden the others but they look ace too. I have a medium and am 6ft. Fits perfect with 60m stem, reverb, 711 bars. Gave it a good thrashing in Les Arcs and this year and it never felt out of it’s depth (I did though!) and it rides well uphill. Not as well as the Zesty, but that’s the trade off, right? Great bike.

I’m 5’10 on a medium 5Spot, I like a smaller bike but wouldn’t want any smaller than it is now, especially running a 50mm stem (which you’re going to do on an AM build). I think a large would be more suitable for a 5Spot with your height (that aside I would thoroughly recommend a 5Spot as an all rounder).

I had a medium Horst link 5 spot, at 5′ 7″ on tip toes I found it perfect, might be a bit small for you, Turner has size guidelines on the website.

I would have the Spicy. Hydro formed tubeset, best geo, no crappy bushings, Nico did the R&D blah blah…