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. However, once set, its pretty much good to go. There are three water bottle cage mounts, as well as a bolt-on top tube mounts for a bag. He is also a regular presenter on BikeRadars YouTube channel and the BikeRadar podcast. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Socks: Team Dream The Anywhere could feel harsh on long and intense gravel races. I really liked that the light stayed on for up to an hour after stopping pedalling because it gave me a chance to set up camp in the light, and if I needed to stop on the road I was still visible. Frame: Lauf Anywhere (12x142mm TA) Fork: Lauf JAF (15x100mm TA) . Ive also been very impressed with the Force/XX1 AXS drivetrain, and more so than I have in a mountain bike context. Unfortunately, I couldnt complete the ride due to acute knee pain, which I later found out was an overuse injury of the tendon. When jutting across roads less traveled, you can feel the bars flexing while on the hoods. This would be a great way to liven the bike up a little and to drop some weight. I guess Im fairly happy rattling over rough surfaces at closer to 50psi, especially considering the squish afforded by the Grit fork. This year Id also planned to ride the Transatlantic Way, which is a 2,000 to 2,500km self-supported road ride around Ireland, and thought the Anywhere would be a great bike for this event. I know the stack is greatly different, but the specialized seems to be measuring to the end of the future shock (610mm) while Lauf has a Stack (564mm) and a stack to handlebar (605 - 651mm) that would seem to match Specialized better. Since this bike is not using a wireless 2x drivetrain (the frame is incompatible with wired 2x drivetrains), you might have also noticed a nifty Lauf Bottle Opener taking the place of the front derailleur. Think ultra endurance road racing, gravel racing, a bit of touring and possibly the odd local time-trial. These aluminium wheels are 27mm deep with a 19mm internal width and come in at 1,588g for the pair. The Anywhere is the exception to Lauf's range, as it sports a conventional, unsprung, rigid carbon fork. 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. I have it in the 20-litre size and it just fits my Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20 winter sleeping bag. The biggest upgrade I made was to the wheelset and tyres. 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. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I set up the WTB Exposure tyre with Weldtite sealant which, despite putting in more than recommended, ended up spraying out and not sealing. At around 2,000km distance and roughly 15,000 metres of elevation, I had to make sure that the bike could go the distance. 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. He has since been swept up in the self-supported, ultra-endurance cycling world, taking part in the Transatlantic Way race in 2019. Away from work, Felix can be found zenning-out by misting his collection of exotic houseplants as well as getting lost on his bike. 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. 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. And now it is taken to the next level. We want a 10t cog In 2017, and prior to joining BikeRadar, Felix quit his job as a production engineer to go bikepacking from one end of Japan to the other. 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. 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. Overall, the trip was a great success. Why? 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. This is so I dont have to worry about charging heavy batteries on the longer rides I have planned and to give a bit more visibility in all lighting and weather conditions. 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. Lauf says the Smoothie bars are some of the best drop bars available for reducing vibration, but its very difficult to say how much the Smoothie bars actually helped. Toms well acquainted with the True Grit and is looking to put this latest version through its paces over south-west England's finest gravel. Story; Direct to Consumer; Crew; Lauf Legends; Reviews; Legacy Products. The road category has settled on 12x100mm as the standard and Lauf even makes the rigid and suspension fork in both sizes. Force level shifters are joined by an XX1 AXS derailleur and 10-50t cassette, driven by a Force 1 chainset with a 42t ring. As such, its this skinner rubber Im having to stick with. With under 40psi in my Maxxis Rambler (f) and Bontrager GR2 (r) tyres, I still skirted around the most glass-like patches of ice without issue, but it was refreshing to be totally comfortable scooting over frost patches, or bits of fireroad where stones and grass poked through an underlying layer of ice, safe in the knowledge that I was fairly, er, safe. Compared to the 800 lumens from the Exposure Revo, the extra power of the R2 is certainly useful when riding faster, however for the kind of road riding I have been doing I felt the Revo was bright enough. An expert wanted a bit more gear range at both top and bottom ends. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? 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. No bike can be perfect at everything, though, and there are a few points to consider. 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. September marks the start of the UK hill climb season and it was exciting to be a part of the event. That's with a hodgepodge spec of alloy Easton EA70 stem and FSA post, Ritchey saddle and DT Swiss wheels. 2020 was a big year for cycling for me with all the free time during lockdowns. My only other real addition to the bike is a new Garmin Flush Out-Front Mount. While they are inherently unable to come close to Lauf Grit's response to higher frequency vibration. 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! The frame has seen updated tube. That makes the TG around $700 cheaper than the similarly configured Seigla. 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. When fitted with gravel tires you have the optimal setup for gravel with proper pedal-to-ground clearance. 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, The Lauf Anywhere is an awesome all-rounder that will handle pretty much whatever adventure you throw at it. Lauf True Grit bikes have a slack seat tube angle (72.5) and are thus set up to be used with zero-setback seatposts. Seat tube length measures 542mm, while the head tube is 133mm and theres a 65mm bottom bracket drop. Plush 40mm tires are stock, providing a supple ride on many surfaces. Tyre pressures are set to the low 40s of PSI high enough to avoid feeling sluggish on tarmac, but low enough to give grip and an element of comfort on dirt. At this time of year, we traditionally say goodbye to our long-term bikes. However, Its also noticeable when riding over rough roads. While the frameset is nicely finished, with numerous neat touches, its the Grit SL fork that steals the show. Why are the Lauf bikes sized like they are? This suits me as I intend to ride this bike in as many different ways as possible. So the Lauf has offered me a great opportunity to take an evening spin and remind me that theres plenty of good riding to be found locally, if youre happy to have a dig on Komoot and accept that youre not going to be shredding the gnar. At the back theres a 142 x 12mm axle, along with a chainsuck plate to protect the chainstays. If I had the choice of a lower gear I would have definitely taken it, and I think the bike would benefit from an upgrade in the gearing. As such, the bike was not only used for the event but for all my training, as well as a considerable amount of time spent kit testing in the lead up to the event in early June. Thanks for the feedback. Photo: Courtesy Lauf Don't 'lauf' at my fork! 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). I thought the 42t chainring up front and the 11t rear cog would reduce my top speed dramatically and that I would struggle to keep up with my riding companions. The Icelandic leaf-spring design looks crazy, but really isn't any different than a. 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. Anywheres are available in four builds, for differing tastes and budgets. When I ride road bikes, I gravitate towards the racy, more aggressive end of the spectrum. 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). LAUF ANYWHERE RIDE The Anywhere is nearly identical in feel and handling to the True Grit when on the pavement. The Grit accepts a 160mm brake rotor at minimum, with options for a 12mm or 15mm thru-axle. It was also great to ride the Lauf on the trails that the bike was designed for and tested on. I love gravel riding. This was a slight oversight on my behalf which meant that I had to switch the fork to one with a 12mm axle. In the UK, where mud is a regular feature of a gravel ride, the 40c standard width tyres can get clogged up around the chainstays. Hes also worked out that shaving your legs saves 8 watts, while testing aerodynamics in a wind tunnel. |, c/4/5/b/c45b52a357e5a50ec9d18ea9720d53f85e8cfee0_Tom_s_Lauf_True_Grit.jpg, Race-bred gravel bike that avoids being overly harsh or nervous; friction-free fork smooths fine chatter impeccably, Rear-tyre clearance could be improved; forks chassis can get caught out in high-load corners. With sugar coursing through my veins, I followed the largely flat Speyside Way out of Grantown-on-Spey. If I wasnt bathed in sweat, thanks to a full complement of windproof gear and winter shoes, Id have been loving life. The original wheels fitted to the bike were a pair of DT Swiss XR1501 alloy hoops. 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 The carbon fiber Icelandic gravel bike employs the company's signature Grit SL fork to give. Forks. The SRAM Rival brakes require a re-bleed and a clean up of the pads and discs because they are lacking in power and make a horrendous noise when riding in the wet. pdf. 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. 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. The new Lauf Seigla takes everything that was good about the True Grit gravel bike and makes it bigger and better. Personally I dont use a dropper on a gravel bike, but I know many do. I ride mountain bikes a lot for work (and adore MTBing too! The True Grit frameset is an all carbon affair, and has fully guided internal cable routing for a 1x drivetrain. These cookies do not store any personal information. I was joined at my lunch spot by the last of the summers midges; their presence an itchy and unwelcome addition to my macaroni pie and empire biscuit Scottish fayre at its finest. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Okay, so this may not have helped me win on the day, but I found the process fun and it did help me get my head in the game. This was not the case, however. I did put some tape on the port to remind me, but obviously that wasnt enough Ill put it down to a lack of rest! My tried and tested Apidura saddlebag and top tube bag got another outing, along with a real hidden gem in the world of bikepacking bags, Alpkits Airlok Dual handlebar bag. This gives me both extra seatpost extension for comfort and a lower front end. 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. Thanks to the clearance of up to 700 x 45c tyres, and lower, slacker geometry, the bike also promises to be pretty capable off-road, despite its clear all-road intentions. I was hoping to catch the last of the summers warmth, and perhaps a cheeky few dry trails, too, before the inevitable six months of grim puddle dodging. Lauf has previously launched a couple of mountain bike and fat bike forks, and the concept for the Grit is the same. Depending on how bad the weather is and whether I can stand getting wet on rides, a set of clip-on mudguards could be a worthy addition, as mentioned above. 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 . Traditional telescopic suspension forks are designed to absorb large impacts, and they are good at that. Unless I end up riding the bike more off road I will likely swap the tyres to something a little lighter for more road-focussed riding. Also, when it comes to comfort, because the front end is suspended its more obvious that the rear isnt. Helmet: Giro Synthe The 16-degree flared bars come in three sizes: 40cm (47cm at the drops), 42cm (49cm at the drops) and 44cm (51cm at the drops). Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now. My road riding really took off after touring Japan in 2017 and I now enjoy bikes designed with adventure in mind. Looking back at 2019, it was certainly a great year for me in terms of fulfilling my cycling goals and trying new things; I attempted my first ultra-endurance ride, raced open hill climbs, took part in the inaugural Rift gravel race in Iceland, and most recently completed my first 300km audax. It is a shame that the JAF fork limits the bikes compatibility with road and gravel wheelsets because the bike is just a wheel and tyre change away from being a wildly different ride experience. I also injured myself earlier this year, so the Lauf has been a useful tool in my recovery from a (potentially, the doctors cant 100 per cent tell) fractured wrist, sustained when I ran out of talent on a mountain bike. I felt very much at home, not needing to steer for the best part of 8km, but I did take a quick detour to see a gorge and Huntlys Cave, where two generations of the Gordon family hid from those theyd annoyed in the mid to late 1600s. We have read all expert and user reviews on the Lauf Anywhere. 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. The Smoothie handlebar and 40mm tires definitely help isolate the rider from road imperfections. But, on entering the outskirts of Aviemore, it was great to hit the Aviemore Orbital (yes, like any metropolis, Aviemore has an orbital) and then the highstreet back. This could be changed to a 10-42t if the freehub was also changed to an XD driver to accommodate the smaller 10t cog. tire clearance, and arguably better looks, it's a winner out of the gate. The frame uses a 12x142mm rear thru-axle and a 15x100mm front thru-axle with flat-mount disc brakes. The Lauf Anywheres geometry has been designed specifically for riding fast over unpredictable terrain. To combine the two in an incredibly beautiful and unforgiving landscape such as Iceland was very special. Lauf's True Grit makes the drop-bar bike feel a whole lot more viable (and comfortable) off-road. 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. 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. I was hoping this year would continue in the same vein because I had a few long-distance goals I wanted to hit, but that hasnt been the case so far. MORE on the Lauf Anywhere & Lauf True Grit www.laufcycling.com . The frame uses a threaded bottom bracket for extended life with minimal maintenance. 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. Here, in the UK, a 40c tyre collecting and then clogging the rear end of the bike is a frequent occurrence.
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