So, to the Pulsium Disc, and the first thing we should talk about is that stunning paintjob on this, the 900 FDJ version. A chromed blue in the front half, with white and a semi-fluro red colour scheme is an obvious nod to the tricolor and French heritage of the brand, while there’s a little FDJ branding on the stays and toptube to hint towards the pro bike standard of the frame and build.

“While almost every brand’s flagship frame will be lighter than more affordable options found further down the range, this ‘Ultimate’ chassis is actually a little heavier than the standard model”

While almost every brand’s flagship frame will be lighter than more affordable options found further down the range, this ‘Ultimate’ chassis is actually a little heavier than the standard model, found on the opening two machines in the four-bike Pulsium line-up. The exact claimed weights have never been something Lapierre has been too bothered about sharing, but what we do know is that this bike, in a large size (56cm) comes in at 7.48kg.

This range-topping, Di2-equipped bike will set you back €7,599 but there are three other Pulsium Disc bikes to choose from, one based around the same Ultimate frame and with Shimano Ultegra Di2 for €3,999, and two using the second-tier frame with Shimano Ultegra (€3,999) and Shimano 105 (€2,899).

As you’d expect for an endurance bike, the Pulsium has a reasonably relaxed position. Our large sample has a 565mm toptube and 185mm headtube, with 72- and 73-degree head and seattube angles respectively.

I’ve already taken the Pulsium 900 FDJ Disc Ultimate out for a 120km ride earlier this week, and initial impressions are much as they were back in Fréjus aboard the rim brake version (with similar spec build) – an endurance-oriented frame, but with a seriously stiff, sharp and addictive edge that reminds me of the Xelius and Aircode bikes, with the latter still fairly fresh in the mind after October’s review. Bring on the next ride.

Website: Lapierre Bikes

Something for the weekend showcases our pick of the latest tech to arrive at RoadCyclingUK. You can see more here.