Going to start the racer review of my new Lapierre ultimate cross country race bike.

I’ve spent the last 2 years afraid of full suspension bicycles. I have alwys thought they are heavy. The pivots wear out and they are flexy. They climb like shit. They are not truly suitable for cross country racing.

Right? Wrong.

Or at least not anymore, if you buy a proper bike.

I’ve been holding out to purchase a new high end cross country mountain bike from a brand that I stock in the Veloshop. I’ve been racing on this piece of crap XC bike with funky geometry and a trashy fork. Before the funky 26″ Vaniller was the badass Vanilla 29er mountain bike (featured on Cyclingnews!) I won in 2004 after taking the singlespeed Cross Crusades series.

On top of that I’ve been holding out to find a brand that I really like. I am really particular about the product I will sell at the Veloshop. This spring, I began a relationship with Lapierre bicycles. I’ve sold a few of thier bikes (the 999 X-lite and FDJ Aero TT bike) and was anxious to check out the 396 Ultimate full suspension mountain bike.

The 396 comes stocked with:
SRAM XO carbon shifter pods and rear derailleur.
XTR front derailleur.
Rockshox Reba World Cup carbon 80mm/100mm fork.
FSA carbon team cranks w/outboard bb.
Mavic Crossmax disc wheels. Hutchinson UST tyres.
Lapierre branded bar and stem
Lapierre branded 31.6 seatpost.
Fizik Aliante saddle.
SRAM chain and cassette.