Lapierre says that its all-new fourth era Pulsium endurance bike is designed to be extra sporty and race-oriented than its predecessor. The brand new Pulsium has a extra aggressive geometry and is claimed to be lighter and extra aero, in addition to including better vertical compliance.
Ever for the reason that first era in 2012, the Pulsium has included Lapierre’s triangulated seatpost cluster, wherein the seatstays connect with the highest tube slightly than the seat tube, with the intention of accelerating compliance.
Within the earlier generations, the seatstays included an elastomer block, however within the new bike, the SAT elastomer is absent. As an alternative, the design mirrors the 3D Tubular design additionally seen within the newest replace of the Xelius DRS light-weight/aero bike, which was launched final month and which merges Lapierre’s Xelius light-weight and Aircode aero platforms.
There’s a marked kink in the direction of the highest of the Pulsium’s seatstays although, which is absent within the Xelius, though it additionally options within the unreleased Lapierre gravel bike which was among the many new tech that we noticed on the Gravel World Championships.
Lapierre says that this design function, together with flex zones within the stays and a spherical seat tube, assist to extend vertical compliance and cut back transmission of low frequency vibrations to the rider.
Added aero
Lapierre says that the 3D Tubular seatstay design is each extra aero and lighter than its earlier design. It’s additionally borrowed different tube profiles from the brand new Xelius on the fork crown and head tube, for higher front-end aerodynamics.
The brand new Pulsium has been examined within the wind tunnel, with Lapierre saying that it’s 5 % extra aero than its predecessor. That is claimed to save lots of 6.1 watts at 50km/h. At a extra endurance-friendly 35km/h, the equal figures are 2.1 watts saved or 5 seconds over 10km.
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Small financial savings, however financial savings nonetheless.
Lapierre has tweaked the Pulsium’s geometry, with a decrease stack and longer attain, which must also enhance the aerodynamics of bike-plus-rider. As with the Xelius, it’s added a sixth XXL measurement to cater for taller riders.
The pinnacle tube has been shortened by 20mm throughout the vary and the seat tube can also be shorter and 0.5 levels extra upright. The chainstay size of the brand new bike is 415mm, providing compatibility with 38mm tyres, though Lapierre matches 32mm tyres from both Continental or Schwalbe.
100g lighter
The Pulsium’s body is comprised of UD SL customary modulus carbon fibre and Lapierre claims a 992g uncooked body weight in measurement M, which is 100g lighter than the earlier era bike. The fork is claimed so as to add 380g.
As you’d anticipate from a contemporary endurance bike, there are mounts for mudguards, in addition to prime tube bag mounting factors.
There’s a brand new alloy stem design, which permits semi-integrated cabling. It’s paired with new bars with a ten diploma flare, which change from alloy to carbon within the prime spec bike, with the carbon bars having a weight claimed at 240g in 40cm width.
The highest spec Pulsium 8.0 bike can also be geared up with DT Swiss ERC 1600 carbon wheels, that are unique to Lapierre and fitted to some Xelius fashions too. They’ve a 45mm depth, 22mm inside width and roll on DT 350 Spline hubs. Lapierre matches DT Swiss alloy wheels to most decrease specs.
Vary line-up
The complete Pulsium vary consists of 5 fashions (two with a number of color choices), 4 of which have digital highway groupsets.
The highest spec is the Pulsium 8.0, priced at £5,699 / €5,699. It’s geared up with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset (50/34 x 11-34t), carbon aero bars and DT Swiss ERC 1600 Spline carbon wheels with Continental GP 5000 S TR 32mm tyres. Its claimed weight is 8.3kg.
The Pulsium 7.0, priced at £4,399 / €4,399, additionally has a Shimano Ultegra groupset, however with alloy bars and DT Swiss E1600 Spline alloy wheels with Schwalbe One Perf 32mm tyres. Weight is said as 8.5kg.
The Pulsium 6.0 is offered both with SRAM Rival AXS, priced at €3,899 or Shimano 105 Di2, priced at £3,599 / €3,399. Each specs have the identical DT Swiss E1600 Backbone wheels and 32mm Schwalbe tyres. Claimed weights are 8.6kg with Rival and eight.8kg with 105 Di2.
Lastly, the Pulsium 5.0, priced at £2,899 / €2,599, has a Shimano 105 mechanical groupset and Lapierre alloy wheels with Conti UltraSport III SL 32mm tyres. There’s no weight determine given.
UK riders get the selection of the total vary, except the SRAM Rival geared up Pulsium 6.0.