The new Lapierre Crosshill CF 2025 roll onto the stage as a carbon gravel bike, aiming to bridge the gap between race gravel and bikepacking. Lapierre describe it as a performance gravel bike and even give you the option to configure it with a suspension fork. But how well does the Lapierre combine comfort, sportiness, and long-distance capability in just one bike?

Lapierre Crosshill CF 8.0 S | 9.92 kg in size M | € 6,999 | Manufacturer’s website

The Lapierre Crosshill has long been a staple in the French brand’s lineup, although previously it was only available as an aluminium gravel bike, one that’s now really showing its age. With the Crosshill CF, a major update arrives: it’s made from carbon and places less emphasis on bikepacking. Instead, it’s become noticeably sportier and features exciting innovations such as flexible seat stays. Additionally, there are two models available with a suspension fork option, which are meant to further enhance comfort.

In this first ride test, we found out where the new bike excels and where it calls for compromises. We tested the flagship Crosshill CF 8.0 S model, which retails at € 6,999 and tips the scales at 9.92 kg. The specs of the suspended Lapierre Crosshill CF certainly look promising on paper.

The 2025 Lapierre Crosshill CF in detail

As the name suggests, the Lapierre Crosshill CF features a carbon frame and boasts a sleek, seamless design language. However, the most striking detail is the upper section of the seat stays, which attach further forward on the top tube instead of connecting to the seat tube, and create a distinct curve. This design is intended to dampen vibrations at the rear and absorb shocks on rough terrain.

The flex stays are integrated into the elongated seat stays…
… and attach to the top tube further forward, creating a slight curve.

A TPU protector on the dropped chainstays ensures a quiet ride on rough gravel roads. If you want to make the bike more suitable for everyday use, you also have the option to fit mudguards. To do this, you’ll have to bolt a plastic bridge between the flex stays, while the rear mounting points just above the dropouts are permanently integrated.

When it comes to mounting points, the Crosshill CF offers space for two bottle cages and a top tube bag. The Crosshill CF 8.0 S model we tested also features a suspension fork, which, as expected, has no mounting points. If you opt for a version with a rigid fork, there are two mounting points per side, which is enough for light bikepacking, but not necessarily for multi-week adventures.

The standard seat clamp, as well as the universal…
…UDH derailleur hanger make it easier to find spares even in remote areas.

Lapierre use a standard 27.2 mm seat clamp from the DIN range for the seatpost. At the rear, there’s a universal UDH derailleur hanger, which can be found in most bike shops around the globe, thus making it easier to carry out minor repairs on the go. Despite consisting of two parts, the cockpit ensures a tidy, organised look. The semi-integrated cables reappear at the bottom of the handlebars but quickly disappear into the stem through a clamp. From here, the cables run through the head tube – a maintenance-friendly and adjustable solution compared to fully integrated one-piece cockpits.

The chainstay protector ensures a quiet ride, even on rough descents.
The semi-integrated cable routing is just as discreet as a full-integrated system, but makes it easier to access the cables for maintenance.

The specs of the new 2025 Lapierre Crosshill CF 8.0 S

Our Lapierre Crosshill CF 8.0 S test bike (“S” stands for “Suspension”) comes equipped with a 30 mm RockShox Rudy suspension fork, which is paired with a 75 mm RockShox Reverb AXS Dropper Post that provides excellent freedom of movement and noticeably improves downhill performance. The carbon handlebars with a 20 mm rise lift the cockpit considerably, ensuring a comfortable riding position.

Lapierre Crosshill CF 8.0 S 2025

€ 6,999

Specifications

Fork RockShox Rudy 30 mm
Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS 27,2 mm
Brakes SRAM Force 160 mm
Drivetrain SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1 x 12
Stem Lapierre Alloy 90 mm
Handlebar Lapierre Carbon Gravel Bar 420 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss GRC 1600 12 x 100/12 x 142 mm Through Axle
Tires WTB Raddler 700 x 44c
Cranks SRAM Force DUB 172,5 mm
Cassette Sram XG-1251 10-44T

Technical Data

Size XS S M L XL XXL

For the drivetrain, Lapierre rely on a SRAM Force XPLR AXS with a 1x setup, which is the ideal option for rougher terrain. It consists of a 40-tooth chainring and 10-44 cassette. While the 440% gear range and the 40 teeth up front are sufficient, they don’t exactly make steep climbs feel any easier ;).

Tuning tip: If you ride very steep terrain on a regular basis, it might be worth considering a smaller 38t or even 36t chainring.

SRAM Force brakes with 160 mm rotors ensure good ergonomics and powerful, reliable deceleration, even on long descents. The Crosshill comes equipped with an exclusive DT Swiss GRC 1600 wheelset, which was developed specifically for Lapierre. The deep 42 mm rims with a wide gravel rim bed ensure good stability, a striking look, and a boost in aero performance. The rims are paired with 44 mm WTB Raddler tires, which roll fast on long straights while at the same time providing solid cornering traction.

The flagship model with suspension fork, the Lapierre Crosshill CF 8.0 S, tips the scales at 9.92 kg in size M and costs € 6,999.

The further spec variants of the new 2025 Lapierre Crosshill CF

The 2025 Lapierre Crosshill CF is available in a total of seven different variants, all of which feature the same UD carbon layup designed to combine lightness and stiffness. Alongside the top-tier model we tested, Lapierre offer another version with suspension fork, as well as five unsuspended variants, thus catering to different budgets and needs.

Lapierre Crosshill CF 6.0 S | 10.46 kg | € 3,499
Lapierre Crosshill CF 5.0 | 9.74 kg | € 2,799

The second suspended model is the Lapierre Crosshill CF 6.0 S, which features a 40mm SR Suntour suspension fork with a practical bar-mounted lockout lever. For this model, Lapierre opted for a wireless SRAM Apex groupset, though the suspension fork is not paired with a dropper post, limiting freedom of movement. Retailing at € 3,499, it’s an attractive option and weighs only slightly more at 10.46 kg, which makes it just over half a kilogram heavier than the top-tier model.

The other five Crosshill CF models come without a suspension fork

Crosshill CF 5.0: the entry-level model features a cable-operated Shimano GRX 2×12 drivetrain, which offers a wide, finely stepped 502% gear range. To keep costs down, Lapierre rely on an in-house aluminium wheelset and aluminium handlebars. The Crosshill CF 5.0 weighs 9.74 kg and costs € 2,799, which makes it the most affordable model in the range.

Crosshill CF 6.0: this model also uses an aluminium wheelset, aluminium handlebars, and cable-operated Shimano GRX 2×12 drivetrain. The main difference to the 5.0 variant lies in the higher quality DT Swiss G 1800 aluminium wheels, which reduces weight slightly to 9.59 kg. Retail price is € 3,199.

Lapierre Crosshill CF 6.0 | 9.59 kg | € 3,199
Lapierre Crosshill CF 6.0 AXS | 9.1 kg | € 3,699

Crosshill CF 6.0 AXS: As the name suggests, this model comes equipped with SRAM’s electronic Rival AXS groupset. The 1x drivetrain simplifies maintenance, though it calls for compromises in terms of gear range – and you’ll also have to charge the small AXS battery on a regular basis. The DT Swiss GR 1600 wheelset is paired with WTB Raddler tires, which ensure a smooth ride. Weighing in at 9.1 kg, this version with electronic drivetrain is priced at € 3,699.

Crosshill CF 7.0: this is the only model featuring an electronic Shimano GRX Di2 2x drivetrain, which ensures precise shifting, fine gear steps, and a wide gear range. It comes with carbon handlebars with 20 mm rise rather than an aluminium cockpit, which improves the cockpit without sacrificing the versatility of a two-piece setup. The DT Swiss GR 1600 wheelset keep the weight down at 9.0 kg. The price tag is € 4,199.

Lapierre Crosshill CF 7.0 | 9 kg | € 4,199
Lapierre Crosshill CF 8.0 | 8.72 kg | € 5,999

Crosshill CF 8.0: this is the flagship model and only differs from our test bike in the suspension fork. It features an electronic, wireless SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1x drivetrain, which ensures precise shifting but requires you to charge the small battery on a regular basis. This version also comes with carbon handlebars and a bling DT Swiss GRC 1600 wheelset with deep 42 mm rims. The wide gravel rim bed provides stability, good rolling characteristics, as well as marginal aero gains. Weight is just 8.72 kg, while the price is € 5,999.

The geometry of the new 2025 Lapierre Crosshill CF

The Lapierre Crosshill CF 2025 is available in six sizes, XS to XXL, offering a suitable option for riders between 153 to nearly 200 cm tall. Compared to the aluminium Crosshill, the reach is slightly longer, while the seat angle is steeper, ensuring a sportier pedalling position that’s meant to be more efficient when accelerating. The shorter 430 mm chainstays are designed to improve agility and deliver a more responsive ride, while tire clearance still remains up to 45 mm. Starting from model 7.0, the carbon handlebars have 12° flare, 122 mm drop, and 20 mm rise, with a width of 420 mm in frame sizes XS to M, and 440 mm for L to XXL. The aluminium handlebars, by comparison, offer a slightly shallower 114 mm drop and lower rise of just 12 mm, but maintain the 12° flare and size-specific widths. Stem length varies depending on the frame size, with 80 mm for XS & S, 90 mm for M, 100 mm for L, and 110 mm for XL and XXL frames.

Size XS S M L XL XXL
Top tube 529 mm 541 mm 552 mm 570 mm 585 mm 597 mm mm
Seat tube 440 mm 460 mm 490 mm 520 mm 550 mm 580 mm mm
Head tube 95 mm 115 mm 130 mm 150 mm 170 mm 195 mm mm
Head angle 70.5° 71° 71° 71.5° 71.5° 71.5° XX°
Seat angle 73.5° 73.5° 73.5° 73° 72.5° 72.5° °
Chainstay 430 mm 430 mm 430 mm 430 mm 430 mm 430 mm mm
BB Drop 71 mm 71 mm 71 mm 71 mm 71 mm 71 mm mm
Wheelbase 1007 mm 1016 mm 1027 mm 1036 mm 1045 mm 1062 mm mm
Reach 367 mm 373 mm 380 mm 386 mm 390 mm 398 mm mm
Stack 546 mm 567 mm 581 mm 601 mm 620 mm 644 mm

New 2025 Lapierre Crosshill CF 8.0 S first ride test

As soon as you swing your leg over the saddle, the Lapierre Crosshill CF 8.0 S places you in a comfortable pedalling position, which is neither too stretched nor excessively compact. Thanks to the riser bars, the bike has a relatively high front end, thus providing a comfortable, long-distance-friendly ride without sacrificing sportiness. The saddle-to-bar drop is pleasantly low, adding to the overall comfort.

On rough gravel, the new Crosshill delivers excellent comfort and a strong sense of security, which is partly due to the suspension fork and partly to the cleverly designed rear end: the flex stays noticeably absorb vibrations on bumpy tracks, saving energy and allowing you to tackle long stages with ease. Despite its excellent damping qualities, the bike remains efficient, transferring the power directly to the lightweight carbon wheels when pedalling. The deep rims also make an impression on gravel, even if the slight aero advantage may not be particularly noticeable.

On very steep climbs, however, the gearing shows its weakness. While the Crosshill is a pleasure to ride on level ground, it becomes a bit of a struggle on steep, technical ascents and rough gravel. The relatively heavy gearing often leaves you wishing for an easier gear. Once the rear wheel starts to slip on a steep uphill section, it’s usually game over.

When the terrain gets steep and rough, you really have to put some serious pressure on the pedals to overcome the tough gearing of the new Lapierre Crosshill CF.

Riding downhill, the Crosshill CF shows what it’s truly capable of: the flex stays work in perfect harmony with the RockShox Rudy suspension fork up front. Both are complemented by the dropper post, which provides plenty of freedom of movement on technical descents, while the suspension fork keeps traction high on the front wheel. The gravel bike feels incredibly direct and responsive downhill, easily diving into corners and immediately reacting to rider input. Thanks to the 90 mm stem and 420 mm wide handlebars, it’s pleasantly forgiving even with overly aggressive steering.

Going downhill, you simply drop the seatpost and benefit from the increased freedom of movement…
… and enhanced sense of security, both on trails and rough forest roads.

The suspension fork doesn’t convert the Crosshill into a “MTB gravel” like the YT Szepter, which has a very short stem and ultra-direct handling. Instead, it strikes a good balance between composure and playfulness. The tires generate solid traction in dry conditions, though in wet and muddy terrain, a more aggressive tread would be better.

Who should take a closer look at the new 2025 Lapierre Crosshill CF?

The Lapierre Crosshill is well-suited for long-distance rides and potentially even ultra-cycling – take note, Seb Breuer. With its comfortable pedalling position and well-thought-out damping, it’s perfect for riders who want to spend long days in the saddle without getting sick of it. The Crosshill is also a great choice for light bikepacking, though those opting for the suspension version will have to forgo the mounting points at the front, which limits luggage options for multi-day adventures.

A major advantage of the Crosshill is its fair entry price, with all bikes using the same carbon frame. Despite the high-end components, even the top-tier models are reasonably priced, which makes the Crosshill CF ideal for riders who value both comfort and performance without blowing a massive hole in their bank account.

Conclusions of the 2025 Lapierre Crosshill CF

The new Lapierre Crosshill CF is a rising star in the world of carbon gravel bikes. Lapierre skillfully combine comfort and efficiency with this bike, making it a perfect companion for long days in the saddle. Light bikepacking is certainly possible with the Crosshill, though for more extensive adventures, the limited mounting points mean that you’ll have to use strap-on bags. And let’s not forget: the Crosshill CF comes at a very fair price, and even the top-tier models are still affordable.

Tops

  • Strong downhill performance
  • Flex Stays ensure plenty of comfort at the rear
  • Fair price

Flops

  • Not enough mounting points for full bikepacking setups

For more info, visit lapierrebikes.com


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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Pierre Viera, Julian Schwede