2022 Lauf Seigla gravel bike review: Unconventional looks Its not a common enough occurrence for me to feel the fork is a compromise on the bike, though. Since then weve had a long British winter thats only just on the wane. Entering year three of racing it (12+ races per year). I swapped back the dynamo wheel which is still one of my favourite bits of kit for the Lauf and attached the Crudcatcher Roadracer MK3 mudguard set to keep me dry and comfortable. For off-road climbing, the gearing was on the tall side for some and came up on the short side for riders capable of higher paved speeds. The bikes finishing kit includes a premium FSA SL-K 27.2mm carbon seatpost, Easton EA70 stem and a Ritchey Comp Streem saddle. The True Grit has a long, low front end, perfect for folks that like an aggressive position. Cleaning the pads and rotor carefully with disc brake cleaner and sanding the sintered brake pads with a fine sandpaper seemed to sort out the problem, and after a few heavy braking sessions to bed them in it was much better (although not quite like a factory feel). The TCR weighs in at 17.12 pounds . Photo: Courtesy Lauf Don't 'lauf' at my fork! I have a True Grit fork that I swap out as terrain demands. This lowers the front end ever so slightly when compared to the Lauf Grit fork, and gives the Anywhere a more road-oriented and aerodynamic stance, making it a gravel race machine, at least . All things considered, I was actually fairly happy with my effort, and although the bike was probably one of the heaviest on the day, it didnt detract from the fun. This feature completely changed the way how gravel cycling is regarded. On Komoot I couldnt tell the difference between fire road and singletrack, but thankfully this narrow sliver of trail through the trees was all passable on my skinny rubber. However, outside the race venue Lauf had a number of handmade jigs with several other bars from different brands as well as the Smoothie attached. Glasses: Goodr superfly. Traditional telescopic suspension forks are designed to absorb large impacts, and they are good at that. In reality, I didnt notice a significant difference in performance using the Fast Forwards, but I did really like the 240s hub and its quality freehub, which purrs away with a sort of quiet confidence. I swapped the front chainring from a 42-tooth to a Hope 38-tooth narrow wide model. Lauf has equipped the frame with four pairs of bosses: two within the frame triangle for bottles, one under the down tube for either extra water or storage, and a pair in front of the stem for a bento-box, ready for longer races. Im not going to sit back and say the True Grit was an unknown quantity far from it. The frame geometry reinforces this preference for speed. In summary, this is what cyclists think. In the drops you still feel the flex up and down across the bar, but there is almost no twisting flex. This would be a great way to liven the bike up a little and to drop some weight. Lauf Anywhere actual weights Out of the box, the size Large with tubes weighed in at 18.87lb (8.56kg). The Grit SL fork at the front relies on a dozen glass-fibre leaf springs to provide the 30mm of un-damped travel, with a pair of rubber stoppers preventing a super-harsh bottom-out. So, even without prior knowledge of Laufs bikes, the True Grit would naturally sit towards the top of my shortlist. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. Prices start at $3700 for a complete bike; not a bad deal for all the tech this comes with. The virtual top tube length is 56.9cm with a frame reach of 39.9cm. The 111 drivetrain is predominantly made up of SRAM Rival 1, including the brakes, shifters and rear derailleur, but comes with an S350 crankset. Thats pretty much been the story since my last update because the Lauf continues to chug along very nicely indeed. In deep or slippery mud its inevitable that they dont always hold traction particularly well, but thats a trade-off Ive been happy to make all winter. Furthermore, I really believe suspension has a place on a gravel bike. With no internal cable routing, youre stuck to either using a non-existent wireless 27.2mm post or an externally routed option, which never looks tidy. The wailing sound whenever I squeezed the levers hard gave it away. The Smoothie handlebar and 40mm tires definitely help isolate the rider from road imperfections. A little more clearance would be no bad thing here. Two straps cinch it to the handlebars, but for more off-road bikepacking Id recommend a handlebar harness to help keep the bag secure Ive got Aplkits Kanga. The relatively slack 71-degree head angle and short 80mm stem is said to help increase stability at high speeds over rough terrain. Story; Direct to Consumer; Crew; Lauf Legends; Reviews; Legacy Products. With the colder months upon us I am very much looking forward to getting some consistency in to my riding and building on my fitness because I have plenty of endurance events that I want to enter in 2020. I was able to push down on the tops of each bar and measure the degree of flex in each one. I ride mountain bikes a lot for work (and adore MTBing too! It just baffles us on why they would spec it with the less common (now outdated) option. Lauf True Grit (technically not on the list) At $3765 this is the most expensive (and best looking) option and I'm hesitant to get this as my first gravel bike because of that The same frame as the Lauf Anywhere but has the Lauf fork and SRAM FORCE 1 ( link) Also a 1x42T cank and 11/42T cassette which seems more sensible gearing for gravel About us. Handlebar suspension? Gates are annoying at the best of times, but boy oh boy, this is the worst kind of gate Ive ever come across. This was a slight oversight on my behalf which meant that I had to switch the fork to one with a 12mm axle. One of the reasons for this is its geometry. My reasoning for this isnt because it will give me a faster top-end speed, but rather would allow me to run a smaller chainring up front without sacrificing too much of the top-end speed being lost from the smaller chainring. I was a little disappointed that the frame doesnt accept mudguards because training in the winter/spring means having to accept that Ill inevitably get wet. To combine the two in an incredibly beautiful and unforgiving landscape such as Iceland was very special. Anywhere Installation Guide. I then spent half an hour or so removing various bits such as the Lezyne pump bracket and, dare I say it, the Lauf bottle opener! Question: Anyone own or ridden the Lauf True Grit? Initially, the bike felt fairly long and low, and while it took a few rides to get a feel for it, I actually really like the position. However, these are pre-production samples that came with slightly thicker grease than production hubs would. This is the first bike I have ridden with flared handlebars, though, and as yet I havent found a natural and comfortable position on the hoods. I love my Grail, but it's basically a road bike and doesn't really dampen anything off road. With a quick fork swap, you could have either bike, but you would also need a new front brake line that would be long enough to reach on the suspension fork. So, with the offer of running the latest version of the bike with an updated Grit SL fork and new componentry, I didnt hesitate to say yes. Save 25% + DMR Trail Gloves + DeathGrips when you subscribe to MBUK magazine, *Spring Savings* Try 6 issues of Cycling Plus for just 9.99 | Save 74% today, This is an initial score and could change as I spend more time on the bike, GBP 3,890.00 RRP The Lauf True Grit is built for gravel racing: big days, covering long distances, over a multitude of dirt surfaces. Particularly, it is more lightweight, more compact, and sturdier than the standard model. It feels rock-steady, particularly at speed, which gives a huge amount of confidence when picking a line down a potholed lane or gravel descent. When jutting across roads less traveled, you can feel the bars flexing while on the hoods. Perhaps the biggest low of the Anywhere is the 15mm axle on the JAF fork. In this market it's hard to find bikes, so she was really luck. In reality, this does help slightly, but real comfort ultimately comes from the frame and some people wont like the 16-degree flare on the bar. Its only in the last five years that Ive started riding gravel and road, before that I was more of a mountain biker. The internal width of the rims isnt particularly wide nor built for the demands of gravel racing, so I changed back to the DT Swiss X1900 wheelset that the bike came with. And it was here that I spent my Christmas and New Year. I know it's apples to oranges, but wondering what the peanut gallery thinks of spending twice as much for an entry to gravel bikes for my wife. Before this, I felt I hadnt quite done the Anywhere justice because many of my rides were road-based, but this trip really opened up what I thought was possible on a rigid, drop-bar bike. I thought the stock 40c Maxxis Velocita tyres were a bit overkill for the road riding I was doing, so I borrowed a fetching pair of tan wall WTB Exposure 32 tyres. If you are riding access roads or just the normal dirt or gravel road, the rigid fork with new Smoothie bars and large-volume tires will be more than sufficient. The Smoothie handlebar is made with a combination of S2 glass fibers and carbon, but as with their Grit suspension fork, the materials are not a blend but instead separate and isolated to offer more compliance while eliminating fatigue failure. The biggest upgrade I made was to the wheelset and tyres. What makes the Lauf True Grit and Anywhere geometry better? The glass fibre section of the bar is designed to give a little more flex and buzz reduction, while the carbon sections save weight where this buzz reduction isnt needed. At checkpoint three, one of the volunteers very kindly gave me a small bottle of Stans No Tubes sealant, which instantly plugged the hole and didnt present a problem for the rest of the ride. Taking time to set the True Grit up right is worth the effort. These roll on large volume Maxxis Velocita AR 40c 120 TPI tyres. Not All Gravel Bikes Are the Same: Lauf True Grit vs OPEN U.P. This section of the ride was why Id packed so much. Unfortunately, the Lauf JAF fork uses a 15mm thru-axle and therefore was incompatible with the SONdelux hub on the Superdura Dynamo Disc wheel. There are various suspension options out there for gravel; whether its an IsoSpeed decoupler from Trek, FutureShock from Specialized, Fox AX, SR Suntour GVX or Laufs Grit. In December 2019 I took part in the popular Moonrakers and Sunseekers 300km Audax, organised by Will Pomeroy and the team behind Great Western Randonnes. Much like the fork, the Canyon VCLS 2.0 seatpost Ive fitted is a two-piece leaf-sprung unit, designed to flutter backward and forward, to take the sting out of trail chatter. Subsequently, the tyres I have on there have a little more volume. Lauf True Grit vs Specialized Diverge : r/gravelcycling THE PARTS Almost 20 hours later, I arrived back in Bristol with a fully stamped Brevet card, and I was extremely relieved. Setting the post up is a bit of a hassle because the angle of the saddle is defined by the relative position of the two halves, which is secured with a small grub screw located well inside the frames seat tube. We are all huge fans of the True Grit and Zap even chose it as his favorite dual purpose bike of 2018. Kim got a Gravel Bike! Lauf True Grit Weekend Warrior - YouTube Not at all. I have had a couple of freehub engagement issues with my pair, though. Its incredibly good at reducing handlebar buzz, too, which over long distances adds to fatigue, and helps with bigger hits, but with 30mm travel, theres only so much it can be expected to handle. The bike is running an 11-42t cassette on a standard Shimano HG style freehub. Clearance for 45mm tires ensured real off-road compatibility and a cushy ride. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The road category has settled on 12x100mm as the standard and Lauf even makes the rigid and suspension fork in both sizes. My only criticism of the drivetrain/brakes has been that the shift paddle can sometimes squash my 4th and 5th fingers if Im braking on the hoods and my brake pads are a touch worn. Surprisingly, the bike does not use the leaf spring fork that made Lauf famous. No matter how much flex the Smoothie bar promised, I was still very much aching after the constant vibration more press ups needed, perhaps? The Seigla has, within a millimetre or two, the same geometry as the True Grit. In future updates, Ill talk more about the geometry and handling. Theres inherent stability from the length, while the front wheel is better able to track the ground, with both the tyres volume and the forks suspension keeping the whole bike calmer. And now it is taken to the next level. The Lauf Smoothie handlebars are designed to eat vibrations and are made from the same flexible carbon as the Lauf Grit leaf sprung fork. With summer waning and the memories of riding the Transatlantic Way fading, I organised a simple overnight bikepacking ride out of Bristol. Price: $3340 Maxxis Velocita tires proved to be a solid all-round option, on and off-road. The frame uses a threaded bottom bracket for extended life with minimal maintenance. Which Bike Help! - Jamis Renegade vs Lauf Anywhere/True Grit - Reddit Lauf True Grit Race AXS long-term review - Gravel Bikes - BikeRadar Is it possible to stop by a loch with your bike and not take a photo? MG had to run a 25-degree rise, 75mm length stem to dial the fit in for his preferences. He has since been swept up in the self-supported, ultra-endurance cycling world, taking part in the Transatlantic Way race in 2019. While Lauf quotes a 45c tyre clearance at the back, I think thats more applicable for true mid-western gravel. High-frequency buzz is greatly reduced, which not only improves comfort over an individual bump but also helps minimise fatigue on long slogs. DAVID'S BEST RACE BIKE. While it might not be entirely fair to say this, mountain biking often, because of the trail network in the UK, takes place in Forestry Commission commercial pine forests, and thus aesthetically varies very little. My only other real addition to the bike is a new Garmin Flush Out-Front Mount. A week in Aviemore, Scotland, where my girlfriend lives, gave me an opportunity to get back on the Lauf, after spending a fair bit of time riding my Marin El Roy. Jersey: Team Dream My road riding really took off after touring Japan in 2017 and I now enjoy bikes designed with adventure in mind. It has been a season of ups and downs for me with many incredible new experiences and also some injuries too, but I have managed to rack up 4,500km on the Anywhere and I am happy to report that the bike has more than lived up to its versatile intentions. Lauf calls it Long 4 Speed geometry, which is essentially a recipe for a longer, lower and slacker road bike. Metres would have been cooler. The design of their True Grit frame was extensive, and Lauf felt there was little that needed to be changed. Id been feeling like Id ignored gravel, what with the Merida Ex Enduro (Powered by Shimano Steps) and then a two week holiday in the Alps, where I ragged the El Roy as much as I could before heading home to a UK winter. Lauf's new Seigla gravel bike adds increased tyre - BikeRadar From 17.6 to 20.7lbs with discs and chunky tires, Anywheres are lightweight. Tom has written for BikeRadar, MBUK and Cycling Plus, and was previously technical editor of What Mountain Bike magazine. Unfortunately the frame doesnt have any full-length mudguard mounts, and on a bike that is likely to be ridden through winter means using alternatives that perhaps dont provide as much protection. I rode the Lauf Anywhere on my biggest challenge yet a 2,000km self-supported road event called the Transatlantic Way. Because I had a post-mount Shimano hydraulic brake on the Parlee, I had to install Shimano's post mount to flat mount adapter in the 140mm size - this sounds incorrect, but that positions the caliper into the right position on the Lauf Grit. Overall, the trip was a great success. Although I havent ridden the bike off road yet, setup tubeless and with 30 psi in each tyre I have no doubt it will be a blast. Lauf sees it the same way, a bike built to go fast over gravel, work well over asphalt, and feel more capable than the average gravel bike through sweeping singletrack. Im pretty sure British Cycling should get their athletes on this diet. Yet, with the industry-wide embrace of added compliance remaining a key selling feature, the Laufers had another trick up their sleeve. One of the best moments riding the Anywhere has got to be taking part in The Rift gravel race. Felix is an experienced videographer and responsible for the output of BikeRadars YouTube channel, where youll also see him in front of the camera presenting reviews or sharing his riding exploits through our BikeRadar Diaries series. Ive spent the last six months riding the Lauf Anywhere from my first taste of self supported bikepacking to my first gravel race in Iceland and most recently my first open hill climb race. Lauf goes consumer direct, cuts $1,000+ off prices The Anywhere is nearly identical in feel and handling to the True Grit when on the pavement. Assembly - Lauf Cycling - gravel bikes and lightweight suspension forks Lauf Grit SL. And, on top of that, it is a beautifully designed bit of kit with a claimed weight of 485g with its axle and an uncut steerer. The frame is actually rated to the ISO standard for mountain bikes and I believe the bike will handle a life of adventures without carbon paranoia. Lauf Seigla Weekend Warrior review - Gravel Bikes - BikeRadar I had just my annoying Garmin Virtual Partner for company (seriously, Garmin, why cant I turn it off on my 830?! If I wasnt bathed in sweat, thanks to a full complement of windproof gear and winter shoes, Id have been loving life. Thus was born the Anywhere, a bike that couples a traditional road bike profile with a specifically engineered handlebar that provides hand- and forearm-friendly compliance. RBA OG Embroidered Champion Packable Jacket. Its a relatively lightweight, but tough, carbon disc frame with large tyre clearance, mounts galore and designed with an emphasis on comfort with slightly relaxed geometry and even a vibration reducing handlebar. First ride review: SRAM XPLR RockShox suspension, Zipp wheels, and 1x Swish. As for the bike, the only issue I had was a hole in the rear tyre that wouldnt seal. Currently, the bike is sold with DT Swiss XR1501 alloy wheels, fitted with 40c wide Maxxis Rambler tyres. Here, in the UK, a 40c tyre collecting and then clogging the rear end of the bike is a frequent occurrence. Though the frame will take a gear cable, this version of the True Grit uses SRAMs wireless AXS groupsets as do the top-level Ultimate (5,990) and third-tier Weekend Warrior AXS (3,390). The frame has seen updated tube. As this was my first gravel race, I drew some experience from my mountain biking background and couldnt believe how well the Lauf handled on some of the gnarlier descents. Lauf has previously launched a couple of mountain bike and fat bike forks, and the concept for the Grit is the same. Although the Anywhere is built with gravel racing at its heart, the bike was great fun to ride both on the tarmac and off road, but, on a ride like this, perhaps the front end of the bike could do with being a bit taller for added comfort. While I did ride it to my first win in a Pro 1/2 race, the snappy, predictable handling characteristics were precisely the reason I chose it. LAUF ANYWHERE GRAVEL BIKE TEST - Road Bike Action I like a racier bike, too. So, whats the seatpost like? The 4km descent to the loch was a welcome relief and, at the bottom, I decided approaching 40km was a good time to enjoy my lunch by the shores. And, coming from the mountain bike side of things, it feels utterly natural to have a springy front end. Swap take ~20 minutes. Im currently running some Ritchey pedals, but often swap between pedals for a set of Shimano XT Race pedals and something else I cant talk about right now. Personally, I prefer the concept of a suspension system that isolates (to some extent) the front wheel from the frame. With improved frame compliance, massive 292.25 (70057!!!) The urban jungle that is Aviemore has its own Orbital. Well, it allows for the fitting of a Backup Battery, which connects to my Garmin 830 through the centre of the mount for super-slick, super-long battery life for super-long days out. The bike felt pretty heavy and the first few corners a little unsteady I hadnt ridden a loaded bike for a while but after the first hour I was already used to the change in handling. The DT Swiss X1900 wheels use 6-bolt rotors and have the Shimano-style freehub. Im also considering swapping the current DT Swiss X1900 XC wheels for a lighter wheelset because I will mostly be riding the Lauf Anywhere on tarmac roads. I set up the WTB Exposure tyre with Weldtite sealant which, despite putting in more than recommended, ended up spraying out and not sealing. The familiar route is about half road, half gravel (plus a bit of mountain biking/hike a bike), so the WTB Exposure 32c tyres Ive been using for many miles were perfect for this mix of surfaces. Lauf Anywhere had a small pop up, so I bought that for her TG WW on sale for ~$2.5k shipped vs msrp $1.3k at a LBS for the E5 Diverge? Why are the Lauf bikes sized like they are? True Grit . Hes also worked out that shaving your legs saves 8 watts, while testing aerodynamics in a wind tunnel. I have it in the 20-litre size and it just fits my Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20 winter sleeping bag. This could be changed to a 10-42t if the freehub was also changed to an XD driver to accommodate the smaller 10t cog. The Anywhere is nearly identical in feel and handling when on the pavement. The frame uses a 12x142mm rear thru-axle and a 15x100mm front thru-axle with flat-mount disc brakes. Thanks for the feedback. The Anywhere is the exception to Lauf's range, as it sports a conventional, unsprung, rigid carbon fork. So I planned a 90k loop, avoiding the highest bits of the Cairngorm plateau, and packed a saddle bag with a full set of waterproofs, some synthetic insulation and plenty of snacks. . The top of the bars from hood to hood is all glass fiber with the carbon drops bonded on. On asphalt, one reviewer described slight understeer on tight, fast turns. The Smoothie handlebar and 40mm tires definitely help isolate the rider from road imperfections. I also highly recommend the WTB Nano tyres for gravel racing because they gave me no problems during the race and provided me with plenty of grip and confidence over the 200km route. As restrictive as a larger axle size could be, many gravel-specific wheels have end caps or adaptors available to accept the larger axle size. Lauf Steigla builds and pricing. I love gravel riding. However, like in my case, if you are wanting to use more road-oriented wheels you might not have this capability. After the Rift, it was only a matter of time before BikeRadars hill climb extraordinaire and video manager, Joe Norledge, and assistant editor, Jack Luke, roped me into taking part in an open hill climb. While I very much like the True Grit, I do have a couple of complaints. Its as much about comfort as it is about control. Having explored a little of the area in the past, I knew there was a fair risk of trudging through mud, even at the best of times, and with my other half working, I also knew thered be no rescue party until at least early evening if things went a little wrong. With its long wheelbase, the Lauf is incredibly confident when speeding down rough descents. I also swapped the cassette from an 11-42t to 10-42t in order to increase my top-end speed. The Anywhere frame is identical to the True Grit, with the only difference being the graphic and rigid fork. The large but smooth 40mm tires allowed us to run low tire pressures (35psi) on wet roads offering great traction and speed. Theres a bit of bum-bounce when pedalling on roads but off-road this disappears. Owing to the 45mm offset (versus the 47mm that their suspension fork), the bikes wheelbase is slightly shorter at 103.4cm. A number of gravel and road wheels wont fit the JAF forks 15mm thru-axle. Future upgrade plans include some new wheels, as well as a couple of items to boost long-distance comfort. When jutting across roads less traveled, you can feel the bars flexing while on the hoods. Lauf is now providing a new option in ride (and appearance) preference while maintaining their legacy of uniqueand appreciatedride compliance. As it was, it was a fairly steep, but entirely rideable and incredibly scenic rough doubletrack over the hill with a little dip and then a steep final pitch to 360-degree views of the mountains. Lauf owners, help me choose! : r/gravelcycling - Reddit By reports, Maxxis Velocita tires didnt perform well in mud or slippy dirt. Personally I dont use a dropper on a gravel bike, but I know many do. Inevitably, I set off late. These changes got the bike down to a respectable 8.22kg. It has Lauf Lush bartape and is 420mm wide on the medium size. A particularly long reach of 399mm for the medium is combined with a short head-tube (133mm) to promote an aerodynamic position on the bike.