Sizes: XS, S, M (tested), L, XL, THE GEAR The Smoothie has a 3-degree back sweep that offers a natural angle to hold the cross section. Already have an account with us? The DT Swiss X1900 wheels use 6-bolt rotors and have the Shimano-style freehub. My only complaint with the tyres is that their bead seems fairly baggy on a number of wheels Ive tried, and getting them to pop into the rims bead tubeless can be a frustrating exercise. Lauf will offer its Steigla with either the Grit fork or with a rigid fork. High-frequency buzz is greatly reduced, which not only improves comfort over an individual bump but also helps minimise fatigue on long slogs. I might install clip-on mudguards in the future if I feel its necessary. Less vibration is transmitted through the frame, so the overall bike rides smoother, and thus (in my eyes, at least) faster. Like most people, I ride road bikes with at least two gears up front, but the Anywhere uses a 111 SRAM Rival drivetrain. THE VERDICT And now it is taken to the next level. Lauf Anywhere: More than the 'Funky Fork' Guys Its still 100 per cent waterproof, having initially tested it on a long cycle tour about three years ago. The Lauf Anywhere is an awesome all-rounder that will handle pretty much whatever adventure you throw at it. 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. The Icelandic leaf-spring design looks crazy, but really isn't any different than a. 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 ride took me south on a mostly flat, traffic-free route and I planned my bivi spot at around 35km. 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. 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. Basically, what we have here is a roadie version of the True Grit. The Lauf True Grit is built for gravel racing: big days, covering long distances, over a multitude of dirt surfaces. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Editors' Choice: Best Road Bikes and Gravel Bikes of 2019 I didnt need to modify the Lauf Anywhere for this mini adventure, which is one of the joys of this bike and its put up with most things I have thrown at it. The new Smoothie bar and 40mm tires isolate the rider from the imperfections of the road perfectly We have about 200 miles on the Anywhere and it has been lots of fun The large tires allow us to run low tire pressures (35 PSI) on the wet roads offering great traction with speed. Following the launch of their head-turning True Grit bike (RBA, June 2018) that stood out with its use of their unique leading-link suspension fork, the inventive lads from Lauf are now heading down a path of what could be deemed roadie reform.. The handlebars are standard on all Anywhere models and are available separately for $220. Lauf has released a new gravel bike, called the Seigla. Features The Anywhere is (bike-) packed with great features designed for a menu of mixed terrain. The original wheels fitted to the bike were a pair of DT Swiss XR1501 alloy hoops. I played close attention to my position on the bike because in late 2018 I picked up a knee injury, which I have been trying to fix ever since, and I have been wary of riding a new bike because I dont want to damage my knee further by riding hard on a different setup. Im getting to grips with Komoot, too, using it as a tool to search out alternative routes to the main roads in and out of the city, whether thats via cycle tracks, single tracks or dirt tracks. LAUF ANYWHERE GRAVEL BIKE TEST - Road Bike Action Lauf Seigla - gravel bikes and lightweight suspension forks However, the Anywhere doesnt feature the suspension fork, instead it uses what Lauf calls Just A Fork (JAF), which is essentially a rigid, full carbon fork. 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. Hes also worked out that shaving your legs saves 8 watts, while testing aerodynamics in a wind tunnel. Here, in the UK, a 40c tyre collecting and then clogging the rear end of the bike is a frequent occurrence. The Grind: 20 gravel bikes I'm excited about for 2020 On our normal road group rides, the bike never held us back and has been giving us an advantage on the roads that are littered with fallen rocks and debris. This was a slight oversight on my behalf which meant that I had to switch the fork to one with a 12mm axle. In late March I rode out of Bristol at 7pm, fully loaded with sleeping gear to see how both the bike and I would get on with the experience of a mid-week over-nighter. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. So, with the Cairngorms having mile upon mile of prime gravel, it was an easy decision to chuck the Lauf in the back of the van as I cruised far up north. After completing my first hill climb race on the Lauf Anywhere, it got me thinking about the bikes weight. The Anywhere is nearly identical in feel and handling to the True Grit when on the pavement. Although I wasnt going to reduce its weight by any significant degree, it was still fun to see how light I could make the bike with limited time and upgrades available. Lauf True Grit Race AXS long-term review - Gravel Bikes - BikeRadar Deep down, I was hoping for heavy snow, mostly because one of Scotlands main ski resorts is a mere couple of miles up the hill, and I wanted to fish out a pair of planks and go roost some pow-pow. The True Grit frameset is an all carbon affair, and has fully guided internal cable routing for a 1x drivetrain. An expert wanted a bit more gear range at both top and bottom ends. Since. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. By all reports, this bike was light, fast and fun. In a few situations, the forks architecture can lead to some unwanted twist, which is especially noticeable on steep, rough corners where you need to brake. This meant I could achieve a lower gear, which was essential for me because the bike was loaded up with everything I needed for the ride in other words it was very heavy! As for the bike, the only issue I had was a hole in the rear tyre that wouldnt seal. . Gravel Bike Test: Lauf Anywhere - Road Bike Action The frame uses a threaded bottom bracket for extended life with minimal maintenance. For a fully-fledged gravel race frame, the Anywhere can be built up pretty light too. The 111 drivetrain is predominantly made up of SRAM Rival 1, including the brakes, shifters and rear derailleur, but comes with an S350 crankset. 2020 was a big year for cycling for me with all the free time during lockdowns. Anywheres are available in four builds, for differing tastes and budgets. The new Smoothie bar and 40mm tires isolate the rider from the imperfections of the road perfectly. It relies on a 100 x 15mm axle to secure the front wheel. Grit / Grit SL . Lauf True Grit bikes have a slack seat tube angle (72.5) and are thus set up to be used with zero-setback seatposts. The most obvious changes were the wheels and tyres. The Anywhere rode well on gravel, fire-trails, asphalt and manicured trails. 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. He is also a regular presenter on BikeRadars YouTube channel and the BikeRadar podcast. The relatively slack 71-degree head angle and short 80mm stem is said to help increase stability at high speeds over rough terrain. Its designed around a popular mountain bike hub axle size, but since the bike is designed for mixed terrain, a 12mm axle would open up more gravel and road wheel options, including the option to use a SON dynamo hub, like me. Still, for a true multi-purpose bike (that can run either a 1x or 2x drivetrain), the Anywhere hits the mark, especially if there is more pavement in your schedule. I found this out when testing the Hunt Superdura dynamo wheel, which uses a 12mm axle Son Delux hub. The wailing sound whenever I squeezed the levers hard gave it away. By reports, Maxxis Velocita tires didnt perform well in mud or slippy dirt. Lauf has made room for 45mm tires with plenty of space for large knobs and debris to pass through. Maxxis Velocita tires proved to be a solid all-round option, on and off-road. Merida Ex Enduro (Powered by Shimano Steps), and later the True Grit on the launch event in Iceland. Personally, I prefer the concept of a suspension system that isolates (to some extent) the front wheel from the frame. So, when the Lauf Anywhere arrived for testing by Matthew Allen I was quite interested in it, and after working on the bikes first look video, which suggested that the bike could become the perfect mountain bikers road bike, I was keen to ride the bike myself. Thanks! SRAMs AXS gears did their job without grumbling, the Grit fork killed buzz as it should and the Maxxis Rambler at the front, paired with a Bontrager G2 at the back, rolled efficiently and comfortably, backed up by that shock-damping Canyon post. pdf. Is it possible to stop by a loch with your bike and not take a photo? The head angle, with 6mm of sag, is 70.5 degrees and theres a 72.5-degree seat angle, designed for use with a zero-layback seatpost. Weighing a claimed 450g, the Lauf Anywheres Just A Fork (JAF) has a full carbon construction, triple cage mounts on each leg, and is based around a 15 x 100m thru-axle. Personally I dont use a dropper on a gravel bike, but I know many do. 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. Having ridden the bike for quite a while already, Ive made a few changes, which Ill talk more about in future updates. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. Then when you swap to slimmer 700c tires, say 30mm, the bottom bracket "automatically" drops accordingly. 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. The October sun was positively beating down on my largely windproof, entirely black attire and, feeling rather dehydrated, I rejoined the insulin express with my can of Irn-Bru, very much shaken, not stirred, after four hours of gravel tracks. Clearance for 45mm tires ensured real off-road compatibility and a cushy ride. Ill be back, though. The Anywhere is nearly identical in feel and handling when on the pavement. 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. 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. 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. As hinted at in my original update, see below, Ive now made one or two changes to the bike, the first of which is the addition of the Canyon VCLS 2.0 seatpost. 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. However, like in my case, if you are wanting to use more road-oriented wheels you might not have this capability. Forks. 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. Why? While Id worn far too many clothes, I didnt end up pushing anything or get lost or find myself axle-deep in mud or water. When jutting across roads less traveled, you can feel the bars flexing while on the hoods. 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. MORE on the Lauf Anywhere & Lauf True Grit www.laufcycling.com . Particularly, it is more lightweight, more compact, and sturdier than the standard model. Thanks for the feedback. The frame uses a 12x142mm rear thru-axle and a 15x100mm front thru-axle with flat-mount disc brakes. It would be good to see some provision for internal dropper post cable routing, too. Almost 20 hours later, I arrived back in Bristol with a fully stamped Brevet card, and I was extremely relieved. If youre wondering what Irn-Bru is, well, its a Scottish version of Mountain Dew, but luminous orange instead of luminous green, and likely just as nutritious. I've done three rides on a Lauf True Grit bike built with Red eTap AXS XPLR, a 30mm RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR, a 75mm Reverb AXS XPLR, and Zipp 101 XPLR wheels with 40mm XPLR tires. Ive also been very impressed with the Force/XX1 AXS drivetrain, and more so than I have in a mountain bike context. 23 Reasons to/NOT to Buy Lauf Anywhere (Apr 2023) | BikeRide We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Anywhere is the exception to Lauf's range, as it sports a conventional, unsprung, rigid carbon fork. With improved frame compliance, massive 292.25 (70057!!!) Not All Gravel Bikes Are the Same: Lauf True Grit vs OPEN U.P. The initial photos for this bike were taken a couple of days after I received the bike, back when the sun was shining and the bales were still in the fields. Lauf Anywhere actual weights Out of the box, the size Large with tubes weighed in at 18.87lb (8.56kg). While tyre widths have increased, and the bike has a suspension fork, it's still a race . I felt I really understood what the team behind Lauf wanted to create. Overall, the Lauf Anywhere is a truly awesome all-rounder. LAUF ANYWHERE RIDE The Anywhere is nearly identical in feel and handling to the True Grit when on the pavement. No, aesthetically, its not to my taste, but its excellent and I would thoroughly recommend it after a winter with no soggy bottoms. True Grit . It's just a shame that the JAF fork limits the bike's compatibility with road and. THE PARTS 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. out of the box, Laufs Anywhere is ready to go on the pavement, on most mellow dirt roads, and maybe even on the trails if youre feeling bold The second key point is that this bike hits a reasonable price. Force level shifters are joined by an XX1 AXS derailleur and 10-50t cassette, driven by a Force 1 chainset with a 42t ring. 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. The bike comes with tubeless-ready DT Swiss X1900 wheels and is specced with a Shimano-style freehub body. Lauf True Grit: Checkpoint - Riding Gravel Lauf has previously launched a couple of mountain bike and fat bike forks, and the concept for the Grit is the same. This makes for a sturdy frame that handles all the fun at only 1.150g - Medium frame in Lava Black, including front and rear derailleur hangers. I love gravel riding. All-new Lauf Seigla gravel bike dramatically boosts - Bikerumor . First Impressions & Actual Weights: Lauf Anywhere all-road gravel bike It's not designed to carry all your bells and whistles, but still manages. This got the bike to a final weight of 8.15kg, which was a total saving of 450g on its original weight of 8.6kg. 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. On asphalt, one reviewer described slight understeer on tight, fast turns. As such, I was sent a set of its latest carbon XCX Gravel Race wheels. This uses a glass-fibre top blended into carbon-fibre drops. Lauf Seigla Weekend Warrior review - Gravel Bikes - BikeRadar Owing to the 45mm offset (versus the 47mm that their suspension fork), the bikes wheelbase is slightly shorter at 103.4cm. 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. Lauf True Grit vs Specialized Diverge : r/gravelcycling This gives me both extra seatpost extension for comfort and a lower front end. It's an evolution of the brand's True Grit gravel bike, and features much improved tyre clearance and dropped stays that give around. Also developed in house by Lauf is the flared drop bar, which is called the Smoothie Composite. I guess Im fairly happy rattling over rough surfaces at closer to 50psi, especially considering the squish afforded by the Grit fork. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Felix spent much of his youth riding mountain bikes but has now gravitated towards endurance and gravel riding. Lauf Anywhere Weekend Warrior: $3340 True Grit (12x142mm TA) Lauf JAF (15x100mm TA) Lauf Smoothie SRAM Rival 1 SRAM Rival 1 SRAM Rival 1 Flat mount Hydraulic SRAM S350 42t 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. Giant's TCR Advanced Pro 0 Disc earned the top step in more than one sense. In summary, this is what cyclists think. Seat tube length measures 542mm, while the head tube is 133mm and theres a 65mm bottom bracket drop. It's just a shame that the JAF fork limits the bikes compatibility with road and gravel wheelsets, Lauf Anywhere Weekend Warrior Edition long-term review, A true gravel race bike and equally fun adventure bike, No mudguard mounts, 15mm fork axle limits road wheelsets, SRAM Rival 1 flat mount hydraulic (160mm rotor front and rear), Lauf Smoothie composite (420mm for the size medium). Anywhere User's Manual. With summer waning and the memories of riding the Transatlantic Way fading, I organised a simple overnight bikepacking ride out of Bristol.
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