As a brand Lapierre may go mostly unnoticed, but the firm has actually been making bicycles since 1946 and supplies the La Française des Jeux professional racing team. Philippe Gilbert rode his Lapierre to race victory in the Omloop Het Volk last year so they’re certainly capable enough.

So with race pedigree not in doubt, we were keen to find out how they stack up and took delivery of the X Lite 400 FDJ this week. It’s the second bike in the company’s Competition range, and has been developed in conjunction with the FDJ team. It’s made using High Modulus carbon fibre and the frame features an elegant swooping top tube in which the rear brake cable routes internally, a graceful down tube that increases in size as it reaches the head tube and a tapered head tube with 1.5in lower bearings.

The frame clearly has intentions to deliver a stiff and responsive ride. As well as the aforementioned oversized tubes, both the down tube and seat tube flare into the bottom bracket shell. However, relatively slim chain stays – which curve dramatically around the wheel – and slender seat stays topped with a wishbone, should lend some comfort over the rougher stuff. Carbon cable stops and dropouts are nice touches and complete an aesthetically pleasing package.

Lapierre have chosen choice parts to build the X Lite 400. Up front, an Easton EC90 Superlight all-carbon fork, including the dropouts, plugs into place. A Shimano Ultegra SL groupset sorts out shifting and braking duties, with a 52/39 chainset dialling a racing touch. The cassette has been downgraded to a 105 item, but the 11-23 ratio indicates this bike’s intentions. Stem, handlebars and seatpost are from Ritchey and wheels and tyres are Mavic Ksyrium Equipe and Hutchinson Fusion respectively.

The X Lite 400 FDJ is priced £2599.99. Five sizes are available, the bike pictured is a 55cm. Look out for a review soon…

More at www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk