Lapierre has launched the latest version of its Spicy CF. The new bike features a reworked suspension system, a new size, and unique bike configuration adjustments that Lapierre says give its latest enduro mountain bike two distinct characteristics.
In the last few years, high-pivot enduro bikes have been on trend with modern enduro bikes like Trek's Slash, Norco's Range, and Forbidden's Dreadnaught featuring high-pivot and idler configurations.
High-pivot suspension designs give a rear-ward axle path which can improve stability, traction, and control on fast rough trails. This can give a bike a glued-to-the-ground feel although this isn't always beneficial on trails that require more agility, airtime, or drivetrain efficiency.
"There are so many ways to ride enduro that we wanted no limits on this new Spicy! From rolling terrain to the steepest slopes there's bound to be a configuration to suit, with four possible versions without compromise.“ says downhill legend Nico Voullioz who played a part in developing the new Spicy CF’s unique solution.
To achieve this, the Spicy CF features a new low-slung shock design that has a rocker with two chainstay pivot mounting positions. The low position offers a more traditional pivot point aimed at flatter or rolling enduro courses and bike parks. That gives a more vertical wheel path as the suspension compresses which is said to give the bike low anti-squat numbers for improved pedaling performance, a more dynamic ride feel, and maintain the geometry under braking. By using the second rocker mount and adding a 15-tooth idler to combat chain growth, Lapierre was able to give the Spicy CF a rearward axle path which should improve the bike's performance on steep technical terrain.
Alongside the pivot mounting adjustment, the Spicy CF features four three-way flip-chips. Unlike other bike designs that use flip-chips to modify the bike geometry, Lapierre’s versions are designed to maintain consistent geometry numbers whether the Spicy CF is set in the high-pivot or low-pivot shock positions and being run with a 29 or 27.5in rear wheel. Lapierre says all bikes in the range will be shipped in the high-pivot, mullet wheel setup and include the kit for switching to the low-pivot version.
Lapierre has also revised some of Spicy’s geometry numbers too. The headtube has been slackened to 63.5 degrees and is now rated to be run with a 180mm fork. The seat angle has been steepened to 78 degrees for an improved climbing position and the reach has been lengthened to 460mm (medium) to accommodate the steeper seat tube – although it's still on the short side compared to many enduro bikes. Initially developed for Lapierre Zipp Collective team rider, Isabeau Courdurier, Lapierre has also added a new XS size with a 410mm reach to cater to a wider range of riders.
The Spicy frame needed to be completely redesigned to accommodate the new 174mm suspension system. Gone are the swoopy tubes of the old Lapierre in favor of a far more aggressive angular design. The frame is built using 600 plies of UD SLI carbon which the brand says have been used to optimize frame stiffness through real-world testing, stiffening up the bottom bracket area and rear triangle to enhance pedaling and cornering performance. The frame features a single bottle cage, a 'knock block' to stop the handlebars from rotating, and rubber armor to protect high-risk areas and reduce noise when riding. There's an integrated toolbox with an internal kit to protect your tool kit or jacket and reduce noise, this has been positioned in the bottom of the downtube for any additional extra weight low on the bike for a better ride feel...
There will be four complete Lapierre Spicy CF builds available which start at €5,499, plus a frame kit including a RockShox Vivid Air 2 Ultimate shock for €3,699 – if you wish to build a Spicy CF up to your own specification. US and UK pricing is still to be confirmed. For more details, head over to Lapierre.com.
Our take
Lapierre's Spicy CF looks like it means business with its new burly, low slung framset and its interesting to see Lapierre trying something unique with its high/low pivot adjustment. Being able to switch between the two should give the Spicy CF two very different characteristics to choose from which could be a real advantage when adapting the bike to different trail or race conditions. As far as we are aware this is the first bike to offer this type of adjustment and I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a more common feature on bikes of the future.
Adjustability is becoming a increasingly hot topic as geometry figures on new bikes harmonize, especially on race focused rigs like the Spicy CF. It's now common to see bikes with reach, rear center, head angle, or bottom bracket drop adjustment using offset headsets and flip-chips. Having the option to switch between high/low pivot options will certainly be a selling point although its interesting that Lapierre hasn't added other geometry adjustments the mix.
Tech specs: Lapierre Spicy CF 2025
Lapierre Spicy CF 6.9
- Price: $TBC / £TBC / €5,499
- Frame: Spicy Carbon U D S L I 174mm travel, press-fit, Boost, metric, thru axle
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Select Charger RC 29” 15x110 DebonAir 180mm (29”) 44mm offset
- Shock: RockShox Vivid Air 2 Base, Adjust Hydraulic Bottom Out, 205x65mm Trunnion
- Brakes: Shimano M4100 4 pistons Shimano RT64 203mm rotors
- Gears: Shimano SLX 12s Shadow +
- Crankset: Shimano MT612 32T 165mm (XS,S,M), 170mm (L,XL)
- Wheels: Rodi Tryp30 EVO 30x622 32H Tubeless Ready
- Front tire: Schwalbe MAGIC MARY Evo, Super Trail, TLE, ADDIX Ultra Soft, 62-622, 67TPI
- Rear tire: Schwalbe BIG BETTY, Super Trail, TLE, ADDIX Soft, 62-584, 67TPI NW-91K
- Seatpost: Lapierre dropper, Ø: 31.6mm, travel 100mm (XS,S), 130mm (M), 150mm (L), 170mm (XL)
- Saddle: WTB Volt 142mm
- Bars: Lapierre Thirty Five 6061DB, Width: 800mm, Rise: 30mm, Ø: 35mm
- Stem: Lapierre Thirty Five alloy, 0°, L: 35mm (XS,S), 45mm (M,L,XL)
- Grips: Lapierre grips anodized, S/M: small diameter, L/XL: large diameter
- Extras: Lapierre Thru axle and bottle opener lever Accessory Box for Low Pivot Point configuration
- Weight: 16.5kg
Lapierre Spicy CF 7.9
- Price: $TBC / £TBC / €6,499
- Frame: Spicy Carbon U D S L I 174mm travel, press-fit, Boost, metric, thru axle
- Fork: Fox Float 38 Performance Elite GRIP2 29’’ 15x110, 180mm travel, 44mm offset / HSC, LSC, HSR, LSR
- Shock: Fox Float X2 Performance, 2-Pos Lever, LV Evol, 205x65mm Trunnion
- Brakes: Shimano SLX M7100 4 pistons, 203mm rotors
- Gears: Shimano Deore XT 12s Shadow +
- Crankset: Shimano SLX 32T 165mm (XS,S,M), 170mm (L,XL)
- Wheels: DT Swiss E1900 SPLINE
- Front tire: Schwalbe MAGIC MARY Evo, Super Trail, TLE, ADDIX Ultra Soft, 62-622, 67TPI
- Rear tire: Schwalbe BIG BETTY, Super Trail, TLE, ADDIX Soft, 62-584, 67TPI NW-91K
- Seatpost: Lapierre dropper, 31.6mm, travel 100mm (XS,S), 130mm (M), 150mm (L), 170mm (XL)
- Saddle: WTB Volt 142mm
- Bars: Lapierre Thirty Five 6061DB, Width: 800mm, Rise: 30mm, Ø: 35mm
- Stem: Lapierre Thirty Five alloy, 0°, L: 35mm (XS,S), 45mm (M,L,XL)
- Grips: Lapierre grips anodized, S/M: small diameter, L/XL: large diameter
- Extras: Lapierre Thru axle and bottle opener lever Accessory Box for Low Pivot Point configuration
- Weight: 16.1kg
Lapierre Spicy CF 8.9
- Price: $TBC / £TBC / €6,999
- Frame: Spicy Carbon U D S L I 174mm travel, press-fit, Boost, metric, thru axle
- Fork: Fox Float 38 Factory GRIP2 29’’ 15x110, 180mm travel, 44mm offset / HSC, LSC, HSR, LSR
- Shock: Fox Float X2 Performance, 2-Pos Lever, LV Evol, 205x65mm Trunnion
- Brakes: Shimano Deore XT M8100 4 pistons, 203mm rotors
- Gears: Shimano Deore XT 12s Shadow +
- Crankset: Shimano Deore XT 32T 165mm (XS,S,M), 170mm (L,XL)
- Wheels: DT Swiss EX1700 SPLINE
- Front tire: Schwalbe MAGIC MARY Evo, Super Trail, TLE, ADDIX Ultra Soft, 62-622, 67TPI
- Rear tire: Schwalbe BIG BETTY, Super Trail, TLE, ADDIX Soft, 62-584, 67TPI NW-91K
- Seatpost: TranzX RAD+ dropper, Ø: 31.6mm, travel 125mm (XS,S), 150mm (M), 170mm (L), 200mm (XL)
- Saddle: WTB Volt 142mm
- Bars: Lapierre Thirty Five 6061DB, Width: 800mm, Rise: 30mm, Ø: 35mm
- Stem: Lapierre Thirty Five alloy, length 35mm (XS, S), 45mm (M ,L, XL)
- Grips: Lapierre grips anodized, S/M: small diameter, L/XL: large diameter
- Extras: Lapierre Thru axle and bottle opener lever Accessory Box for Low Pivot Point configuration
- Weight: 16.0kg
Lapierre Spicy CF Team
- Price: $TBC / £TBC / €10,000
- Frame: Spicy Carbon U D S L I 174mm travel, press-fit, Boost, metric, thru axle
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate Charger 3 RC2 29” 15x110 DebonAir 180mm (29”) 44mm offset
- Shock: RockShox Vivid Air 2 Ultimate, 2-Pos Lever, 205x65mm Trunnion
- Brakes: SRAM CODE Silver Stealth 4 pistons, 220mm/200mm rotors
- Gears: SRAM XO1 Eagle 12s
- Crankset: SRAM X1 Carbon Eagle DUB 32T 165mm (XS,S,M), 170mm (L,XL)
- Wheels: DT Swiss EXC1501 SPLINE®
- Front tire: Schwalbe MAGIC MARY Evo, Super Trail, TLE, ADDIX Ultra Soft, 62-622, 67TPI
- Rear tire: Schwalbe BIG BETTY, Super Trail, TLE, ADDIX Soft, 62-584, 67TPI NW-91K
- Seatpost: TranzX RAD+ dropper, Ø: 31.6mm, travel 125mm (XS,S), 150mm (M), 170mm (L), 200mm (XL)
- Saddle: WTB Volt 142mm
- Bars: Renthal Fatbar, Width: 800mm, Rise: 30mm, Ø: 35mm
- Stem: Renthal Apex, 35mm, length: 33mm (XS, S), 40mm (M, L, XL)
- Grips: Lapierre grips anodized, S/M: small diameter, L/XL: large diameter
- Extras: Lapierre Thru axle and bottle opener lever Accessory Box for Low Pivot Point configuration
- Weight: 15.8kg
