We Tested Lapierre’s Top Electric Mountain Bike: It Conquers Every Trail

Lapierre is a well-recognized brand in the French cycling scene. They offer an impressive range of road bikes and exciting options for off-road enthusiasts, like the Overvolt 10.8 AM.

The 2025 version of this all-mountain eMTB features the new Bosch Performance Line CX motor and a suspension system with 170 mm of travel. In summary, it’s fast on any terrain. However, nothing beats a full test to get a true sense of its capabilities.

Technical Specifications

This test was conducted on a model provided by the brand.

Design Focused on Performance

For the 2025 model, the Lapierre all-mountain eMTB continues to use aluminum for its frame. Given the powerful motor in this type of eMTB, weight is not a primary concern, with this model weighing in at 26.3 kg. The “Supreme 5” frame of the Lapierre Overvolt 2025 maintains the same geometry as its predecessor.

The major update is in the suspension system, offering 170 mm of travel at both the front and rear, highlighting the bike’s versatility. In the high-end 10.8 AM version, you’ll find a RockShox ZEB Ultimate Charger fork and a Super Deluxe Ultimate shock, also from RockShox.

Lapierre spares no expense, and the same holds true for the transmission, entrusted to Sram with its GX AXS 12-speed, integrating a derailleur hanger directly into the frame. The brakes are Sram Maven Bronze with 4 pistons (220/200 mm discs), and the wheels measure 29 inches at the front and 27.5 inches at the rear, crafted by DT Swiss.

Also noteworthy is the inclusion of a telescopic seat post with handlebar controls, an 800 mm handlebar, and a Fizik saddle. A complete setup for a high-end eMTB priced at €9,000.

The all-black equipment pairs well with the blue frame color. It’s understated yet aggressive, exactly what you’d expect!

Regarding the weight, it becomes apparent when loading the bike into a car; it’s challenging to lift into a trunk single-handedly, even with the wheels removed. The same applies if you need to carry it up steps to store it at home. Clearly, it would be difficult to manage if you live in an apartment or keep your bike in a basement.

Embedded Technologies

The installed display – the Kiox 300 – on the handlebars of the Lapierre Overvolt 10.8 AM, paired with the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, is top-notch. Its color screen is clear and readable, displaying speed, remaining battery percentage, range, duration and distance of the ride, elevation, and power output.

The non-touchscreen display is controlled via a button near the left grip. It’s integrated into the handlebar, which requires a slight head tilt to view but offers better protection from branches.

The Bosch Flow app displays the bike’s charge level and allows for adjustment of the assistance modes. For those who are particularly tech-savvy, it offers detailed customization of the assistance modes. It also includes a route planner, useful for estimating energy consumption to ensure sufficient battery life for a return trip.

The connection between the bike and the smartphone app is straightforward, taking just a few seconds. Furthermore, the bike’s display alerts you if your smartphone’s battery is low. In short, the Bosch ecosystem is well-known and comprehensive.

Another noteworthy app is the Sram AXS app, which provides battery level information for the derailleur. It also allows for adjustments to the operation of the electric shifter, whether shifting one gear at a time with a short, simple press or several gears by holding the button down.

Riding Experience: Unstoppable

Mounting the Lapierre Overvolt 10.8 AM for the first time, I was struck by the width of the handlebar: it provides maximum stability on descents but can be a challenge between tight trees.

At 1.86 m tall, I chose a size L, at the upper end of Lapierre’s recommended range for this frame size. However, I might have been better off with an XL for a less upright riding posture. Indeed, coming from road and cross-country biking, the upright posture of this Lapierre Overvolt is quite surprising.

However, I wouldn’t recommend sizing up as it might make the bike difficult to handle, especially given its weight over 25 kg.

Before descending, there’s the climb, and here the rear suspension really shines. The large shock travel allows extensive movement to keep the wheel in contact with the ground, transmitting power without loss and thus maintaining excellent speed uphill.

Although it’s regrettable that the bike isn’t delivered Tubeless, I was able to reduce the rear tire pressure to 1.5 bars, which further aids traction without puncturing during my various rides.

When it comes to shifting gears, the Sram GX AXS responds instantly at the press of a button on the right handlebar. However, if you wanted to use the bike without assistance on an uphill, good luck, because the weight immediately makes itself felt. On steep inclines, the weight of the battery in the diagonal tube adds front-end weight, and the shock work prevents the bike from rearing up. The walk mode included with the Bosch Performance Line CX is also a boon for pushing the bike uphill, which is a workout in itself.

On descents, it’s truly majestic. The 29-inch front wheel rolls over obstacles, and the 170 mm of travel cushions everything. I quickly rode faster than my usual level, particularly as the lowered telescopic seat post allowed free movement over the bike to optimize the center of gravity.

However, in really tight turns, you may need to dismount to maneuver the bike, as the wide handlebar and large front wheel don’t aid maneuverability in slow, tight sections. Turning on just the front wheel and lifting the rear requires a skill level I don’t possess with this bike.

But at the end of my test, I came to the same conclusion as with other powerful eMTBs with large batteries: they don’t encourage engaged pedaling. There’s a tendency to overuse the motor to avoid exertion, especially knowing the battery can last 2 or 3 times longer than your ride.

You lose some of the appeal of cycling and move closer to a motorized vehicle, especially when you see your passing speeds on Strava compared to a cyclist on a non-electric bike. If you’re a cyclist who enjoys the effort, this bike might not be for you. However, if you want to cruise through the forest at high speeds without needing the fitness of a professional, then the Lapierre Overvolt is perfect for you.

Engine: the Power of the Bosch Performance Line CX

This wasn’t my first encounter with the Bosch Performance Line CX 2025; I had previously tried it on the Moustache Game 2025, but with the Lapierre Overvolt 10.8 AM, it was the first time I could extensively test this 600 W and 85 Nm motor.

In this eMTB, it’s paired with an 800 Wh Bosch battery. The range then approaches 130 km in the best case scenario.

Initially, I tested this motor in the standard configuration including Eco, Tour, eMTB, and Turbo modes. From Tour mode onward, you have enough power to smooth out an ascent or ease your pedaling in a technical section.

But ultimately, I spent most of my time in Eco mode. Incorporating this test into my training for road competitions, this mode allowed me to ride playfully on trails without suffering from the bike’s weight, while still engaging my metabolism enough to work out.

Trust me, after 40 km and 1,000 m of elevation gain in an afternoon, your battery will have lost about 40%, but you will return quite tired if you’ve managed to stay mostly in Eco mode.

I then tried the Bosch Performance Line CX’s Auto mode. The idea is to adjust the assistance to the power you exert on the pedals: the harder you press, the more the motor assists.

It’s responsive, but clearly, Auto mode is too generous with power and quickly resembles Turbo mode. On certain technical sections, you have to be careful how you pedal to avoid overly powerful motor assistance. Due to its quick responsiveness, it can be tricky. The bike is so powerful that we ripped off three cable ties that were securing my friend’s winch on his non-electric bike.

Once, I wanted to cross a technical rocky patch in Auto mode and nearly got thrown off the bike after putting too much power on the pedals. So yes, the motor is very powerful, but it’s still possible to “hurt yourself” in Eco mode and need to manage your riding in Auto mode.

Battery Life and Charging

This 800 Wh battery is among the largest on the market. It promises more than 120 km of range on paper. However, realistically, you should expect around 100 km (in Eco mode) when riding courses with significant elevation, which is typical for this kind of all-mountain eMTB.

As for charging, it’s straightforward; the bike plugs into a power outlet using a 4A Bosch charger. The charging port is located near the crankset, but be sure to properly close the cover before setting off again, or you risk water ingress. Good to know: the battery is removable.

Price and Availability

The 2025 version of the Lapierre Overvolt AM 10.8 is a high-performance bike, as expected from a model priced at €9,000! For this price, you get high-end equipment, including the latest version of the Bosch Performance Line CX motor.

However, the entire range is equipped with this motor, so it’s possible to lower the cost by opting for less high-end but still sufficient equipment for recreational use of the Lapierre Overvolt. The 4.6 version starts at €5,599, but at that price, you must settle for a Rockshox Domain Gold Isolator R fork and a Shimano 10-speed transmission, which isn’t bad per se, but the riding experience won’t be as enticing.