According to Lapierre, the new fourth-generation Pulsium endurance bike is designed to be sportier and more race-oriented than its predecessor. The new Pulsium has more aggressive geometry, is lighter and more aerodynamic, and has improved vertical compliance, he said.

Since its inception in 2012, the Pulsium has used Lapierre's triangulated seatpost cluster, with the seatstays connected to the top tube rather than the seat tube, for increased compliance.

While the previous generation's seatstays incorporated elastomer blocks, the new bikes do not feature SAT elastomers. Instead, the design reflects the 3D tubular design seen in the latest update to the Zelius DRS lightweight aero bike, which integrates Lapierre's Zelius lightweight aero bike and Aircode aero platform, which was announced last month.

The Pulsium has a pronounced kink in the top of the seatstays that is not present on the Xelius, but is also present on the unreleased Lapierre gravel bike, one of the new technologies we discovered at the Gravel World Championships.

According to Lapierre, this design feature, along with the flex zones in the stays and the round seat tube, help increase vertical compliance and reduce the transmission of low-frequency vibration to the rider.

According to Lapierre, the 3D tubular seatstay design is more aero effective and lighter than previous designs. In addition, the fork crown and head tube have diverted the tube profile from the new Zelius to improve front end aerodynamics.

The new Pulsium was tested in a wind tunnel, and Lapierre announced a 5% improvement in aerodynamic performance over the previous model. This translates to a savings of 6.1 watts at 50 km/h. At 35 km/h, it saves 2.1 watts, and at 10 km/h, it saves 5 seconds.

Small savings, but savings nonetheless.

Lapierre tweaked the geometry of the Pulsium, making the stack lower and the reach longer. Like the Xelius, a sixth XXL size was added to accommodate taller riders.

The head tube was shortened by 20 mm on all models, and the seat tube was shortened and 0.5 degree upright. The chainstay length on the new bikes is 415 mm, which is compatible with 38 mm tires, but Lapierre has fitted Continental and Schwalbe 32 mm tires.

Pulsium's frame is made of UD SL Standard Modulus carbon fiber, and Lapierre lists the frame weight for the M size at 992 g, which is 100 g lighter than the previous generation bike. The fork weight has increased by 380g.

As one would expect from a modern endurance bike, there are mounts for mudguards and bag attachment points on the top tube.

A new alloy stem design is used, with semi-integrated cables, combined with new bars with 10-degree flares, and a switch from alloy to carbon on top-spec bikes, with carbon bars claimed to weigh 240 g in a 40 cm width.

The top-spec Pulsium 8.0 is also fitted with DT Swiss ERC 1600 carbon wheels, which are exclusive to Lapierre and also fitted on some Zelius models. They are 45 mm deep and 22 mm wide on the inside and are mounted on DT 350 splined hubs. Lapierre has fitted DT Swiss alloy wheels to most of its lower specs.

Pulsium's full range consists of five models (two with multiple color options), four of which come with electronic road group sets.

The top spec is the Pulsium 8.0, priced at £5,699 / €5,699. Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset (50/34 x 11-34t), carbon aero bars, DT Swiss ERC 1600 splined carbon wheels, Continental GP 5000 S TR 32mm tires. It weighs 8.3 kg.

The Pulsium 7.0 is priced at £4,399 / €4,399 and is also equipped with a Shimano Ultegra groupset, but with alloy bars and DT Swiss E1600 Spline alloy wheels with Schwalbe One Perf 32 mm tires. The weight is stated to be 8.5 kg.

Pulsium 6. 0 with SRAM Rival AXS for €3,899 or Shimano 105 Di2 for £3,599 / €3,399. Both specifications have the same DT Swiss E1600 Spine wheels and 32mm Schwalbe tires. Weights are 8.6 kg for the Rival and 8.8 kg for the 105 Di2.

Finally, the £2,899 / €2,599 Pulsium 5.0 has a Shimano 105 mechanical groupset and Lapierre alloy wheels with Conti UltraSport III SL 32mm tires. Weight not stated.

British riders can choose from the full range, except for the Pulsium 6.0 with SRAM Rival.