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Lapierre introduces all-new Aerostorm DRS time trial bike for FDJ

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Lapierre_areo-time-trial-bike_aerostorm-drs-plage

Working together with long-term sponsored French pro team FDJ, Lapierre bikes has developed an all-new version of their Aerostorm DRS. Named for the Drag Reduction System,  the bike has the singular goal of getting as fast as possible within the UCI regulations. We got a close-up look at the previous generation of the bike at last year’s Tour de France, and the new bike looks to take a big step forward in the integration game. Slip past the fold to get a closer look at how the bike gets faster, while also improving handling and braking…

Lapierre_areo-time-trial-bike_aerostorm-drs-frame-fork-cockpit---pauline-mougeot
all images courtesy of Lapierre

The new Aerostorm DRS gets a complete overhaul when it comes to geometry. The new bikes essentially get their frames sized-down, while growing toptube lengths across the board. They also get a steeper seat angle, but with better fore-aft adjustment through a rail-based seatpost (with 10cm of adjustment) in place of the previous two position offering. In the end the overall wheelbase grows a bit, while handling stays relatively stable and the fit becomes a bit more aggressive.

Lapierre_areo-time-trial-bike_aerostorm-drs-details---pauline-mougeot-(6) Lapierre_areo-time-trial-bike_aerostorm-drs-details---pauline-mougeot-(7)

As to braking, the new bikes get custom-made center-pull brakes placed inside a cowled seatstay bridge and inside of the fork that actually improve braking efficiency and go a long way to boost aerodynamics. The rear brake tucks in against the stays with a small drag cover for a very low profile to the wind. The front on the other hand disappears into the fork with a seamless cover that also shields the front of the headtube effectively increasing its depth:width ratio for wind cheating abilities.

Lapierre_areo-time-trial-bike_aerostorm-drs-details---pauline-mougeot-(7) Lapierre_areo-time-trial-bike_aerostorm-drs-details---pauline-mougeot-(8)

From an overall aero perspective the DRS setup carries over improved airfoil tubing shapes and a now-fully integrated cockpit. The frame, fork, stem, and handlebar now become effectively integrated, acting as one element against the wind, cutting drag down a good bit. Lapierre worked on optimizing the bike’s aerodynamics first in the computer, then both in the wind tunnel and out on the Roubaix velodrome with FDJ to fine tune its design.

Lapierre_areo-time-trial-bike_atelier-lapierre-1---pauline-mougeot Lapierre_areo-time-trial-bike_atelier-lapierre---pauline-mougeot

The bike’s construction combines a mix of latex bladders and silicone mandrels to get all of those aero shapes and maximize its strength. Stiffness was a big goal of the bike, as the FDJ team was asking for better power transfer and predictable handling, so in the end the new frame boasts a 30% increase in rear-end stiffness. The complete bike weight also came down, making it one of the lighter TT bikes on the pro circuit, with FDJ’s version coming in at 8.1kg for their medium bikes.

The bike also gets some other hidden tech updates, like TDT (Trap Door Technology) that hides Di2 batteries low in the frame, and a seattube housing guide for easier routing.

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Expect FDJ to race on the new bikes come the 1st of February at the Etoile de Besseges race, with consumer availability in Fall 2016.

LapierreBicycles.com

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Champs
Champs
8 years ago

Nip here and a tuck there, it has a more than a passing resemblance to the P5.

caliente
caliente
8 years ago
Reply to  Champs

I thought it looked more like the cannondale slice, which looks like the scott plasma.

PsiSquared
PsiSquared
8 years ago
Reply to  Champs

It’s not unexpected for aerodynamic solutions to look similar, especially after several or many cycles of development, and time trial bikes have been threw a few cycles of development.

Champs
Champs
8 years ago
Reply to  Champs

Of course TT bikes will bear some resemblance, but if you can tell a Mercedes from a BMW, the style differences are obvious.

Between the fork and dropouts, this thing looks like a P5 in ways that the other big names simply don’t. Slice doesn’t have that seat cluster. Plasma has that weird top tube. The rest aren’t really even in the ballpark. Look it up.

Flatbiller
Flatbiller
8 years ago

@Champs

You mean, “Nip here and a tuck there, [insert any bike model name here] has a more than a passing resemblance to the [insert any other bike model name here].”

However, you are correct: the crank placement on this bike has the same crank placement as my bike. And the rear wheel is–JUST LIKE MY BIKE–trails my front wheel. Amazing.

Efe Ballı
8 years ago

So F1-ey name. Drag Reduction System, eh? Will you also add KERS later? Can we only use the bike when there’s a second or smaller gap with the guy in front?

therealgreenplease
8 years ago

I’d love to see more detailed photos of the breaks.

potbellyjoe
8 years ago

Just like with cars, the aero solutions dictate certain forms, especially if they have to remain inside of UCI regs. No shock there.

H. Trent
H. Trent
8 years ago

Too Bad, they are Not available in the States.

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