From Pink Bike: "The new bike heads off in an entirely new direction for Lapierre, forgoing the virtual pivot dual link design for a linkage driven single pivot and floating bottom bracket combination, as well as revised slacker and longer geometry.
When the new bike does become available (possibly sometime in November) you will be able to choose between two models, a team model that closely resembles the bikes that Sam Blenkinsop and the rest of the team are racing on, and the less expensive DH-720. If you opt for the DH-720 you'll be pleased to know that it uses the exact same frame as the top end bike. A frame only option will be available for those who want to build it up with parts of their choice.
Lapierre's new DH platform takes a completely different route for rear suspension duties when compared to their dual link FPS design. The bike uses a single pivot with a few twists to address some of the perceived shortcomings of the classic design. The shock is activated via a compact linkage that allows the engineers at Lapierre to dial in the exact leverage ratio that they are looking for, as well as helping to isolate the shock from side loads that could affect its life span. They've also worked closely with Fox nail down the correct shock tune as opposed to simply bolting up a standard shock. As is always the case with Lapierre, all pivot hardware is anodized aluminum and the finishing on all suspension parts is impressive.
Although the addition of the Pendbox certainly adds some complication to the bike, the designers feel that the trade off is worth it. In today's highly competitive world of downhill racing, from World Cups to timed runs on your local hill, a bike needs to both have great suspension performance and be able to pedal well when the time comes to sprint out of a corner. The goal by using the Pendbox is to be able to handle both duties and handle them very well. Just as can be found on the main pivots, the Pendbox rotates on sealed bearings and is held together with anodized aluminum hardware. You'll also find ISCG-05 chain guide tabs and a Press Fit bottom bracket shell.
The rear of the DH Team (as well as the DH-720) sports a mostly carbon swingarm that not only looks great, but also presumably shaves valuable grams from an already light frame. Although the carbon section does look like two separate pieces, they are actually one unit that is tied together by a compact carbon bridge. The forward section of the swingarm that's housing both the main pivot and the mounting point for the suspension's pushrod is an aluminum unit, as are the bolt on rear dropouts on both the drive and non-drive sides. Both the shift and brake lines can be routed internally for more protection and a cleaner look. Tying the 12 x 150 mm rear end together is an anodized gold aluminum axle.
Adjustability can be key when trying to dial in a bike to how you prefer it to handle or even for a specific course. There are quite a few bikes out there that allow the rider to alter their head angles, but not a lot that let you do this without affecting the suspension performance of drastically changing other angles. By using a sleeve within the bike's headtube Lapierre has kept head angle adjustments separate from affecting other adjustments. While eccentric headtube sleeves are nothing new, this one abandons the usual portly pinch bolts that would otherwise hold it in place. You can alter the angle by one full degree in half degree jumps from 64 to 63 degrees"
"2011 Lapierre Dh Team in Details:
- Entirely new model for 2011
- 200 mm of rear wheel travel
- Aluminum front triangle, carbon swingarm
- Uses Lapierre's Pendbox system
- Internal cable routing
- Adjustable headtube angle, 64-63 degrees
- Integrated seat post clamp
- Frame weight of 8.4 lbs (300 grams lighter than last year's frame)
- Two models: DH-Team and DH-720
- Available as a frame only
- Refined sizing: Large uses a 20 mm longer toptube"
Lapierre Dh 920 in black/grey
Link:
No comments:
Post a Comment