Lauf launch all new bike, with new fork to match

Lauf is not a company known for doing things in a conventional manner. Its suspension forks caused a stir when they were launched a few years ago, eschewing typical telescopic legs for leaf springs. Not long after the original Trail Racer MTB fork was introduced, along came the impeccably named Grit gravel version (which, coincidentally grit.cx will be testing soon).

It’s perhaps not a surprise that the Icelandic company should have even bigger ambitions. While trying to answer the question “how do Lauf forks best compliment a gravel bike”, it decided the answer was to build its own frame.

Lauf True Grit

That initial question quickly became “how do Lauf build the ultimate gravel bike” and eventually the True Grit was born. In Lauf’s own words:

We wanted our dream bike to be fast, but at the same time stable and confidence inspiring (because you’ll dare riding faster on a bike that you are confident on). We wanted it to be light, but without compromising durability and ease of maintenance. We wanted it to go cleanly about things. Be confidently designed towards clear goals. Of course, it should have a bottle opener!
We wanted it to be a no-compromise long-distance race-oriented gravel bike. A bike that would also become a rider’s first pick for all his “usual” everyday riding; paved roads, gravel, singletracks and everything life throws at us as cyclists (unexpected potholes, snow, ice, etc.).

A new fork to match

As Lauf was no longer designing just a fork, but an integrated package, it was able to make the True Grit specifically designed around their fork technology. It also took the opportunity to take advantage of ongoing R+D in its fork spring design, which allowed it to use 7mm shorter springs with no impact on durability or performance. The result is a new fork to match the frame – the Grit SL. It has an integrated 1.5” crown race and, according to Lauf, has gained further lateral and fore/aft stiffness, while also losing around 50g. It will accompany the existing Grit fork in the Lauf product family.

The Grit SL has 30mm of front suspension, with (once gain, according to Lauf) excellent small bump performance to maintain traction and control – making the ride more comfortable, with zero maintenance.

Features

Let’s get back to that frame and take a closer look. It is, unsurprisingly, carbon fibre. By using advanced molding and layup technologies, Lauf was able to avoid bonded junctions and keep internal surfaces smooth. This resulted in longer continuous carbon fibres and less unwanted material overlap; creating a light, yet strong frame.
Haters of creaking, rejoice! The bottom bracket is good old threaded BSA. Lauf decided the extra cost to manufacture was worth the durability and ease of maintenance. The True Grit frame has embraced the more useful current standards though. It features 142x12mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc-brakes and tapered headtube. There are 3x bottle cage mounts, and a mount on the top tube for a bento box.

The bike can take up to 45mm 700c tyres (40mm at the rear if using an eTap front mech – more on that later), with plenty of clearance. That very definitely takes it beyond classic ‘cross bike clearances and reflects a trend for adding a little more rubber; but is less than a few drop-bar bikes that we’ve recently seen. Chainstays are kept at a tight 425mm.

Frame weight is an extremely light 1070g for a medium frame, including front and rear derailleur hangers.

Geometry

Lauf has embraced the longer, lower, slacker trend of recent years. The True Grit features a relatively long toptube paired with a short-ish stem, low headtube and a slack head angle to give a low and aerodynamic position with stability at high speeds and in rough terrain. And because it’s the bike industry, this needs a special name. The True Grit is Long4Speed. Marketing at its finest.

 

Other Features

While we are on slightly cringe-worthy marketing terms, Lauf introduces In-N-Out cabling. This snappy title means the rear derailleur cable and rear disc brake hose have entry points at the headtube. Full internal routing means they miraculously pop out at the optimal locations. No hassle and no annoying rattling inside the frame:

LOL. But, in all seriousness, it is great to see a company not only tidying things up with internal routing, but also thinking about frustrated end users and bike shop mechanics the world over. Nice work Lauf.
Finally…

Yep. If you choose one of Lauf’s 1×11 builds, the front mech blanking plate is also a handy bottle opener. Winning. Unless you like 2x. In which case you’ll have to get a mate to open your beer for you. Or just drink from a can. Or go to the pub.

Builds

Lauf are offering three off the shelf builds, and the option of buying a frame/forks package.
Lauf True Grit – Weekend Warrior – 1×11

• Frame True Grit, 12x142mm through-axle
• Fork Lauf Grit SL, 15x100mm through-axle
• Handlebar Easton EC70 AX Carbon
• Rear Derailleur SRAM Rival 1
• Front Derailleur Lauf Bottle Opener
• Shifters SRAM Rival 1
• Brakes SRAM Rival 1 Flat mount (160mm rotor front and rear)
• Crank SRAM S350 42t
• Saddle WTB Volt Pro / Deva Pro
• Seatpost FSA SL-K 27.2mm
• Wheels American Classic AM28/Terrain (6-bolt, Shimano-style freehub) tubeless
• ready
• Tires Maxxis Rambler 40c EXO/TR 120TPI
• Stem Easton EA70
• Headset FSA Orbit, IS 42/52 (45° lower bearing)
• Bartape Easton Pinline
• Cassette SRAM 1130, 11-42t
• Chain SRAM 1130
• Bottom bracket SRAM GXP XR 68mm
• Weight: Medium Midnight Blue tubeless: 8.9kg/19.6lbs
• Weight may vary slightly, especially between colours

Lauf True Grit – Race Edition – 1×11

• Frame True Grit, 12x142mm through-axle
• Fork Lauf Grit SL, 15x100mm through-axle
• Handlebar Easton EC70 AX Carbon
• Rear Derailleur SRAM Force 1
• Front Derailleur Lauf Bottle Opener
• Shifters SRAM Force 1
• Brakes SRAM Force 1 Flat mount (160mm rotor front and rear)
• Crank Easton EC90 SL 42t
• Saddle WTB Volt Pro / Deva Pro
• Seatpost FSA SL-K 27.2mm
• Wheels American Classic Race (6-bolt, xD freehub), tubeless ready
• Tires Maxxis Rambler 40c EXO/TR 120TPI
• Stem Easton EA70
• Headset FSA Orbit, IS 42/52 (45° lower bearing)
• Bartape Easton Pinline
• Cassette SRAM 1195, 10-42t
• Chain SRAM 1130
• Bottom bracket Easton BSA 68mm
• Weight: Medium Midnight Blue tubeless: 7.8kg/17.2lbs
• Weight may vary slightly, especially between colours

Lauf True Grit – Race Edition Wireless – 2×11

• Frame True Grit, 12x142mm through-axle
• Fork Lauf Grit SL, 15x100mm through-axle
• Handlebar Easton EC70 AX Carbon
• Rear Derailleur SRAM Red eTap
• Front Derailleur SRAM Red eTap braze-on
• Shifters SRAM Red eTap HRD
• Brakes SRAM Force 1 Flat mount (160mm rotor front and rear)
• Crank Easton EC90 SL 50/34t, 134mm spindle
• Saddle WTB Volt Pro / Deva Pro
• Seatpost FSA SL-K 27.2mm
• Wheels American Classic Race (6-bolt, Shimano-style freehub), tubeless ready
• Tires Maxxis Rambler 40c EXO/TR 120TPI
• Stem Easton EA70
• Headset FSA Orbit, IS 42/52 (45° lower bearing)
• Bartape Easton Pinline
• Cassette SRAM 1190, 11-32t
• Chain SRAM Red 22
• Bottom bracket Easton BSA 68mm
• Weight: Medium Midnight Blue tubeless: 7.9kg/17.4lbs
• Weight may vary slightly, especially between colours

Pricing and availability

Lauf bike components will remain with current Lauf distributors, while the True Grit will be available through two channels: 1) For most people it will be easiest to purchase a True Grit directly online at LaufCycling.com, regardless of location. 2) There will be a few selected Lauf premium dealers. These will offer demos and enhance customer service in key areas (we are checking with Lauf to find out if there are any UK retailers in this list).

The pricing of Lauf True Grit will be twofold. Those who want to get their bikes shipped immediately pay the standard price. While those who are willing to wait up to 12 weeks for their bike can get a lower price. This way Lauf can minimise its stock and pass the savings on to customers.

• Weekend Warrior:  $3690 (buy it now), $3290 (get within 12 weeks)
• Race: $4990 (buy it now), $4490 (get within 12 weeks)
• Race wireless: $6390 (buy it now), $5790 (get within 12 weeks)
• Frameset (frame, fork, axles, seat collar, derailleur hangers, bottle opener and headset): $2690 (buy it now price only)
• All bikes are available with custom paint for an additional $400 (on top of the within 12 weeks price)

True Grit starts shipping in November, orders will be taken from 10^th of August. First come first served. All advanced orders will be at the “get within 12 weeks” pricing. The twofold pricing comes into play in November/December, there will only be one price level.

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