Lapierre release new FDJ Xelius EFI

The Lapierre Xelius EFI bike that the FDJ.fr pro cycling team have been racing on this season is now available to buy online.

You can choose the build yourself via Lapierre’s online configurator.

The monocoque frame is made from more than 50% high modulus fibres, according to Lapierre, and it weighs a claimed 890g in a size 55cm. The bottom bracket is PressFit while the head tube is tapered: 1 1/8in at the top and 1 1/4in at the bottom.

Lapierre’s online system allows you to spec the groupset (from Shimano or SRAM), the fork, the wheels (various options from Mavic) the saddle model and colour, the handlebar, stem and seatpost. It’ll update you on the bike’s weight and the price (currently in Euros) as you go. Other frame finishes are available too, including two non-FDJ.fr options.

If you go for the EFI Ultimate Red frame option, you can choose a fork with a World War II aircraft-style pin up motif. If that seems a bit, um, unreconstructed to you, Lapierre explain it this way: “By adding these icons to the Ultimate forks, under the features of 3 pin-ups, Aurélie, Nicole and Audrey, Lapierre is adhering to one of the best French characteristics: associating beauty and excellence.”

A complete FDJ.fr replica frame built up with a Shimano Ultegra 6870 Di2 electronic groupset, Mavic R-Sys wheels, a Fizik R1 bar, stem and seatpost and a Fizik Arione R3 braided saddle, for example, would weigh 6.7kg (14.74lb) and cost €5,893.

For more info go to www.ultimate.lapierrebikes.com/en/ultimate