2012 Lapierre Zesty 314

handsome devil

I currently ride a 2009 Stumpjumper FSR Comp. It`s pretty much standard spec apart from 710mm Easton Haven bars, Thomson Layback Seapost and Specialized Purgatory Control tyres (as opposed to Captain S-Works). It really is a fab bike in almost every way for the type of riding I do. However, I have recently started mulling over buying a new bike now the Stumpy as almost 3 years old and am quite taken with the 2012 Zesty 314. I ride cross country (mainly Quantocks) and 120mm travel seems to be about right.

Questions are as follows;

1. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the extra 20mm of travel?
2. Will it really be any better to ride (bearing in mind these are £2,300)?
3. How reliable are they? (The Stumpy has been faultless for nearly 3 years apart from a sticky X9 rear mech).

I realise the Zesty is an AM bike while my 2009 Stumpy is very much XC but will there be any noticeable benefits of changing. Obviously I am going to try one out (have been looking locally but not found any in stock apart from the 714 which is £3.5k!!

The main reason for thinking of changing is one of "I`m getting a bit bored with this bike, I would really like a new shiny one"!

However, I need reasons to justify such a decision so would appreciate the views of anyone who has experience of the Zesty and especially those of anyone who has either owned/ridden both.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

tenfoot

I have a 214, that I bought back in October.

Up until May I was riding a Spesh Ground Control FSR and then for a couple of months, a Scott. Both full suspension XC bikes, and both very lively and quite light.

The change of bike was due as the Spesh needs a bit of work doing to it, and the Scott has a broken swing arm.
I really fancied the Zesty because a) it was reduced as I got a 2011 model and b) I wanted something I could take to Wales and not feel compromised at all.

I find the Zesty doesn't feel quite so lively on cross country, tight and twisty trails. I'm sure my last two bikes felt more lively, but that might be down to less travel. I haven't had any problems with climbing, although the Zesty probably weighs a little more than my XC bikes. That might be down to the suspension design that is more efficient than the 13 year old bikes I was riding before.

The biggest difference I have noticed, is coming downhill. The extra travel, and the slacker head angle, has inspired me with so much confidence.

Obviously, I am comparing the Zesty with my old bikes, but I don't regret buying it for a second. I absolutely love it. 140 mm travel is probably too much for what I need, week in - week out, but the extra travel doesn't slow me down on the flats or hills, and has definitely sped me up coming down.

As for reliability - there are a few stories about the press-fit bottom bracket giving up in 6 weeks. Mine is OK after 3 months of being used for 30-40 miles per week. I spoke to a guy last week at Bedgebury with a 314, and his BB lasted for 18 months. He reckons the BB failures are due to pressure washers being used to clean the bike, which I don't do anyway.

Don't know how helpful this is, as I have never ridden a Stumpy, but the Zesty is a great bike.

Pudseyp

The Zesty IMO is more of a trail ripper the Spicy is more of an AM machine.

Again in my opinion £2,300 is a bit rich compared to the likes of Cube and Ghost where you will get more bang for you buck.

If I had £2,300 to blow it would be on this 120mm travel Nerve XC..WMB trail bike of the year...£200 cheaper and the spec pi$$es all over the zesty..with XO groupset and Float RL Fit

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2560

More travel...then find another £150 and have this...Fox Talas fork with XTR cranks and rear mech, DT Swiss Wheel Set and even a Reverb seatpost....add up the individual parts....these cost well in excess of £2,400 !! a bargain..

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2566

handsome devil

Thanks for the input guys, thought there would be a few more replies! I will track one down and have a demo as and when I find one.

The more I think of this dilemma, the more I think I'll stay with the Stumpy though!

hobbitsharley

Zesty is more hardcore XC - the proper lapierre XC bikes are the Xflow and Xcontrol
Spicy is AM were as the Zesty is as said Hardcore XC with AM thrown in for good measure - i owned a Spicy and wished i had a Zesty as it climbs better and still descends like a scaled rat

Stu Coops

Iv'e had my Zesty 514 for 12 months and I have changed the BB after 11 months and serviced both forks and shock, as for the BB it is only a £40 job so not a bank breaker anyway, as far as everything else goes I got no issues and love the bike and would definately buy another one, my mate has the 314 and ridden it for the last 2yrs extremly hard and again no issues other than usual service costs plus two BB's.

However you might want to look at the Canyons as others have said and the spec on them is superb for the money and a real nice looking bike

gregwari

Have you looked at the Trek Fuel ex8 yet?? There's a few places with 10% off this years prices and last years bike with further reductions. Looking at MBUK last month, it looks like the fuel ex will be up there again this year as one of the best singletrack bikes on the market

pugaltitude

The 2012 zesty is different to 2011 model.
Slacker head angle, also crank and chain stays different.
Review in this month WMB versus the marin.
I bought the ex 8 2012. Nice climbing and decent is controlled and fast.
The reason why i bought it was it has 15 bolt thru on the fork.
I find qr twitchy and its what im used to.
Friend bought new 314 and loves it.
Each to there own.

Stu Coops

I had an EX8 and loved it except for the wheels I found the Bonty wheels really weak, always havin them trued and I ain't a hardcore rider, but the frame and suss set up I loved.

handsome devil

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like the Trek EX8 is worthy of consideration along with several other options no doubt. I really don`t think 140mm is going to be very worthwhile for my style of riding so will probably stick with the tried and very much tested Stumpy. However, a mate of mine has just ordered a Canyon Nerve XC7 and spec wise it looks unbeatable so this could be on my radar should I change my mind!

Moomaloid

Looking to get my first MTB. Been researching for 6months. My choice seems to be coming down to payment terms which is a shame. I want the Canyon but can't afford to pay all upfront Zesty is looking like the next best. Would people agree? In terms of what you get for ya buck? (£2000 - £2500)

rockmonkeysc

Zesty isn't very good value. Giant Trance rides better, is better value & is less likely to break. Giants rear suspension is by far the best set up I have ridden, much better than the Trek EX & Zesty.