Lapierre e-sensium 5.2

A sensibly priced road bike for long days in the saddle with the benefit of electric assistance

The thought of riding a road bike isn’t always a pleasant one to many casual cyclists. The squashed-up aerodynamic riding position and twitchy handling are just two of the reasons many people avoid drop bar bikes. Here, however, Lapierre has created a road bike that aims to be both comfortable and easy to ride.

The maker describes the e-sensium 5.2 as an endurance road bike, but what does that mean? Firstly, the frame geometry is more relaxed than on a traditional road racing model. Secondly there is added practicality not generally found on racing bikes, such as clearance and mounting points for full-length mudguards on the aluminium frame and carbon fibre fork. That fork also features accessory mounting points so you can carry all the kit you need for a long day (or even days) out on the bike.

The e-sensium 5.2 also differs from a full-on road racing bike with its choice of gearing. The Shimano 105 groupset used here includes a wide-ratio, 11-speed cassette that will make hills that little bit easier, and then the Ebikemotion system X35+ motor built into the hub of the rear wheel will come into play if the hills get too steep.

The wheels themselves feature DT Swiss R470 rims with a slight aerodynamic profile and carry 28mm Continental tyres, a size that’s a decent compromise between all-out speed and all-day comfort.

The power for the X35 motor comes from a 250Wh battery hidden away inside the frame. The only clue to the battery’s presence is the charging point at the base of the frame where the down tube meets the seat tube.

That 250Wh may be on the small side for a modern e-bike, but it does help to keep the e-sensium’s overall weight down to a little over 14kg. This lack of mass in turn keeps the bike fun to ride. The idea behind the electrical assistance is to give you an extra boost rather than push you along all the time. Giving you extra confidence without bulldozing what’s great about road riding means the Lapierre strikes a good balance for sporty riders.

► £2,699

► lapierrebikes.com