Saab Salomon sponsored Team Lapierre DH has revealed the bike the team, including Brit Danny Hart, will be riding for the 2008 season. At first glance it looks like a stock DH-230 with a polished frame, but while the production bike delivers a substantial 241mm of travel from the FPS2 short-link suspension, the race bike offers 200mm. The stocker’s DHX Air shock is swapped out for a DHX 5.0 shock with titanium coil spring. The reduced travel lets the bike sit a little lower, as befits a pure race bike.

The bike pictured is the spec that the team riders will be using. Interestingly for a pro race bike, there’s a lot of Shimano Deore XT on it, with transmission and brakes drawn from Shimano’s all-rounder group. Fox 40 forks complement the DHX 5.0 rear shock, Mavic supplies the DeeMax wheels (shod with Hutchinson tyres) and the finishing kit is from Easton.

Seemingly racing just as much now he’s retired, fast-man Nicolas Vouilloz has driven the development of the frame, so you can be sure the team will have a great handling bike beneath them.

Have a gander at www.lapierrebikes.com or www.hotlines-uk.com for more.