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 . About us. When jutting across roads less traveled, you can feel the bars flexing while on the hoods. The TCR weighs in at 17.12 pounds . I swapped the front chainring from a 42-tooth to a Hope 38-tooth narrow wide model. 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. Currently, the bike is sold with DT Swiss XR1501 alloy wheels, fitted with 40c wide Maxxis Rambler tyres. Lauf will offer its Steigla with either the Grit fork or with a rigid fork. The ride took me south on a mostly flat, traffic-free route and I planned my bivi spot at around 35km. Lauf True Grit bikes have a slack seat tube angle (72.5) and are thus set up to be used with zero-setback seatposts. A number of gravel and road wheels wont fit the JAF forks 15mm thru-axle. 3x Bottle Mounts Three bottle mounts come in handy for a long day in the saddle. The new Smoothie bar and 40mm tires isolate the rider from the imperfections of the road perfectly. I rode the Lauf Anywhere on my biggest challenge yet a 2,000km self-supported road event called the Transatlantic Way. The road category has settled on 12x100mm as the standard and Lauf even makes the rigid and suspension fork in both sizes. 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. However, Its also noticeable when riding over rough roads. 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. 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. THE PARTS This section of the ride was why Id packed so much. High-frequency buzz is greatly reduced, which not only improves comfort over an individual bump but also helps minimise fatigue on long slogs. While tyre widths have increased, and the bike has a suspension fork, it's still a race . 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. Felix spent much of his youth riding mountain bikes but has now gravitated towards endurance and gravel riding. The DT Swiss X1900 wheels use 6-bolt rotors and have the Shimano-style freehub. This uses a glass-fibre top blended into carbon-fibre drops. Lauf is now providing a new option in ride (and appearance) preference while maintaining their legacy of uniqueand appreciatedride compliance. One of the biggest changes to the bike I intend to make is swapping the front wheel for a dynamo-equipped model. Theres no adjustment needed on the fork and, in terms of bar and saddle height, Ive set the bar low-ish, but not quite slammed, and the saddle at my preferred pedalling height. Maybe its the combo of the supple tyre, and the forks suspension and lower lateral stiffness than a traditional fork, but at those pressures the feel between tarmac and bar is just too vague for my tastes. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. 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. . Sadly, thanks to clothing/feeding/weather/time, I pulled out halfway. There are three water bottle cage mounts, as well as a bolt-on top tube mounts for a bag. 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. We have read all expert and user reviews on the Lauf Anywhere. 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 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. The frame is built around a conventional threaded bottom bracket, which means I can remove it easily at home if it needs replacing or cleaning. 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 Anywhere is nearly identical in feel and handling to the True Grit when on the pavement. I count that as success any day! Particularly, it is more lightweight, more compact, and sturdier than the standard model. Almost 20 hours later, I arrived back in Bristol with a fully stamped Brevet card, and I was extremely relieved. The True Grit frameset is an all carbon affair, and has fully guided internal cable routing for a 1x drivetrain. Less vibration is transmitted through the frame, so the overall bike rides smoother, and thus (in my eyes, at least) faster. SRAM Force calipers, linked to those shifters, pull on 160mm rotors, front and rear. When jutting across roads less traveled, you can feel the bars flexing while on the hoods. 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. 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. I took my good friend George and it was to be his first experience of riding out and sleeping under the stars. This also means if you already have 12mm thru-axle wheels, you will need adapters. I mean, if the first 3km was that easy, Id be home in no time! Having spent plenty of time testing road bikes for Cycling Plus, Ive dodged my fair number of icy patches on tarmac. I was able to push down on the tops of each bar and measure the degree of flex in each one. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. More on those later. 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. 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 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. Riding the Lauf all year round, oftennot in a commercial forest, means I see the seasons changing whenever I ride. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. Having ridden the bike for quite a while already, Ive made a few changes, which Ill talk more about in future updates. Im fairly confident I enjoyed my visit more than they did. The frame has seen updated tube. The design of their True Grit frame was extensive, and Lauf felt there was little that needed to be changed. And, coming from the mountain bike side of things, it feels utterly natural to have a springy front end. That said, I noticed that on-tarmac handling is compromised. I also swapped the cassette from an 11-42t to 10-42t in order to increase my top-end speed. So much so that on my first ride with it I was constantly checking the rear tyre for a flat. The frame is light at 1,070g, but also strong enough for tackling serious gravel racing. A pair of Fast Forward F3D carbon wheels provided the biggest upgrade and I replaced the 32mm WTB Exposure tyres with a pair of 25mm Pirelli P Zero Velo 4s tyres. The large but smooth 40mm tires allowed us to run low tire pressures (35psi) on wet roads offering great traction and speed. Lauf calls it Long 4 Speed geometry, which is essentially a recipe for a longer, lower and slacker road bike. The long chainstays and top tube combined with a slack 71-degree head angle mean the bike handles predictably when riding off-road and remains stable when loaded up with luggage over long distances. Prices start at $3700 for a complete bike; not a bad deal for all the tech this comes with. And, finally, I will swap back to the Hunt Superdura Dynamo wheel and re-install the lighting system for winter training and to tackle a 300km audax that I have just signed up for but more on that in my next update. 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. When taking tight turns you have to lean into them with confidence. 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! Personally I dont use a dropper on a gravel bike, but I know many do. These wheels are a touch deeper than the DT wheels at 28mm, and are also a little wider internally, coming in at 24mm. Maxxis Velocita tires proved to be a solid all-round option, on and off-road. 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. Bib: Velocio Its only in the last five years that Ive started riding gravel and road, before that I was more of a mountain biker. This was not the case, however. It just baffles us on why they would spec it with the less common (now outdated) option. The frame is a size medium and weighs a claimed 1,070g, in a striking Racing Rocket colourway. Clearance for 45mm tires allows the Anywhere to be ridden over real gravel. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. But they all use Shimanos SPD cleat system. The Anywhere rode well on gravel, fire-trails, asphalt and manicured trails. 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. 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. Personally, I prefer the concept of a suspension system that isolates (to some extent) the front wheel from the frame. When it comes to really rough off-road riding, the Smoothie handlebar isnt nearly as effective as the 30mm-travel Grit suspension fork. 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. These aluminium wheels are 27mm deep with a 19mm internal width and come in at 1,588g for the pair. 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. 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. 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). Fortunately, in between my Trail Bike of the Year testing, Ive been able to get out on the Lauf a fair bitand have continued to explore Bristols surroundings, taking in all the local sights from stately homes to south-west Englands most popular fly tipping sites. The Smoothie has a 3-degree back sweep that offers a natural angle to hold the cross section. This was a slight oversight on my behalf which meant that I had to switch the fork to one with a 12mm axle. No matter how much flex the Smoothie bar promised, I was still very much aching after the constant vibration more press ups needed, perhaps? . Metres would have been cooler. I already mentioned the gearing, which I intend to gear down for easier climbing when the bike is loaded up. Unfortunately, I couldnt complete the ride due to acute knee pain, which I later found out was an overuse injury of the tendon. I stripped the hubs down (easy to do), cleaned them out, and replaced the grease with a lighter-weight lubricant I had in the garage, and, so far, this seems to have done the trick. Lauf Steigla builds and pricing. MG had to run a 25-degree rise, 75mm length stem to dial the fit in for his preferences. Lauf True Grit $3,690 to $10,490 Lauf True Grit. Six weeks after the Transatlantic Way, I was off to race The Rift a 200km gravel race in Hvolsller, Iceland. However, this time, the event included a more testing climb with a very talented field. 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. This leaf-sprung suspension fork offers 30mm of travel, which is enough to take the sting out of the dirt roads, without impacting too much on the bikes dynamic geometry. Tom Marvin is a technical editor at BikeRadar.com and MBUK magazine. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? 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. I do think the longer geometry and the fork contribute here. I am hoping to change various parts of the bike in order for it to be ready for a long self-supported ride. The one thing that kind of has us scratching our heads is their use of a 15mm thru-axle up front. But, as always seems to happen on longer rides, the first few kilometres of light, traffic-free gravel out of town flew by, lulling me into a false sense of security. While they are inherently unable to come close to Lauf Grit's response to higher frequency vibration. THE VERDICT I soon re-joined my outbound route, the wide gravel tracks corners revealing the mountains Im familiar with seeing in Aviemore. 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. I refuse to ride anything else. 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. This time last year I was banging out 100 to 150k rides weekly, with occasional jaunts of up to around 200k. My only other real addition to the bike is a new Garmin Flush Out-Front Mount. In summary, this is what cyclists think. Our Weekend Warrior model had a SRAM Rival 11-speed 1x drivetrain with a 42t crank matched to a 11-42t cassette. Its as much about comfort as it is about control. Why are the Lauf bikes sized like they are? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. As for the bike, the only issue I had was a hole in the rear tyre that wouldnt seal. 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. The Lauf Anywhere, as the name implioes, is intended to be a do it all bike. 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. Lauf has previously launched a couple of mountain bike and fat bike forks, and the concept for the Grit is the same. 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. Yet, with the industry-wide embrace of added compliance remaining a key selling feature, the Laufers had another trick up their sleeve. Sizes: XS, S, M (tested), L, XL, THE GEAR As such, its this skinner rubber Im having to stick with. An expert wanted a bit more gear range at both top and bottom ends. Ill be keeping the rear hovering around 40psi for now, but the front is back up to around 48psi. Many of the routes I cycle involve either narrow and rough roads or gravel bike paths in order to avoid heavy traffic areas, or to open up new places to ride. September marks the start of the UK hill climb season and it was exciting to be a part of the event. In the drops you still feel the flex up and down across the bar, but there is almost no twisting flex. Having said that, the X1900 wheels arent light at 1,721g for the pair and the internal width of 22.5mm isnt very wide. 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. Thats pretty much been the story since my last update because the Lauf continues to chug along very nicely indeed. Thanks! As such, the former wouldve preferred a 40t chainring, while the latter wished for a 10t cog. It was a local race for us, put on by Salt and Sham Cycle Club, and took place on Chew Hill; a modest little climb about 90 metres in elevation and an average gradient of about 10 per cent. Having suffered from knee pain at the end of day three it was clear that the lower gearing was a good choice and suggested that I should have spent more time in those lower gears to help reduce the load going through my knee. 15mm front axle, STATS I reinstalled the third bottle cage on the down tube, but to carry my coffee and coffee cup. 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. Join Join. The Dava Way follows an old railway path and goes through a number of rather cool cuttings. 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. Merida Ex Enduro (Powered by Shimano Steps), and later the True Grit on the launch event in Iceland. 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. 2020 was a big year for cycling for me with all the free time during lockdowns. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? In this market it's hard to find bikes, so she was really luck. 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. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. My road riding really took off after touring Japan in 2017 and I now enjoy bikes designed with adventure in mind. With anything rough off the cards for a few weeks, the Lauf has made riding over terrible roads local to me relatively smooth and much kinder on the wrist, thanks to its tyre volume and Grit fork, with its incredible road buzz-killing abilities. THE FRAME 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. The head tube is still at 71 degrees and 13.3cm long on our size medium. Lauf Seigla geometry. We want a 10t cog However, once set, its pretty much good to go. 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. Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now. 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. Why is the geometry this way? 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. It's a bike that has been designed for racing across challenging mixed surfaces as fast as possible and does that by combining absolutely enormous tyre clearance with geometry closely comparable to. 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. Despite the extra weight and the slight resistance added by the SONdelux hub, the setup worked flawlessly and the feeling of reassurance it gave, particularly when riding at night and in poor weather conditions, far outweighed the negatives. The Weekend Warrior edition that Ive been riding comes in at 8.5kg, while similarly specced endurance road bikes, such as the Cannondale Synapse, weigh around the 9kg mark. This gives me both extra seatpost extension for comfort and a lower front end. Ive got the brake hoods angled in slightly, as is my preferred feel. But, instead, I was treated to a chilly high-pressure system that hadnt dumped much snow, and so I donned some thick gloves, my Sportful Supergiara Puffy and some Nukeproof riding trousers, and headed into the hills behind town for a few achingly beautiful, and achingly cold rides to burn off the Christmas turkey (well, venison actually). The new Lauf Seigla takes everything that was good about the True Grit gravel bike and makes it bigger and better. However, Im hoping to keep hold of the True Grit for a little longer, into 2022. This means the frame reach is 394mm and reach to handlebar length 456mm. The carbon in the handlebar has been specifically used to promote flex and reduce the high frequency chatter that you find when gravel riding. True Grit - Gravel Bike . 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. 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. 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. This also means that on long rides when you become fatigued, the bike isnt hyper-responsive to bar input that could lead to a mistake. It has great feeling engagement when putting down the power, too. 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. I was pleased with my pacing because Burrington is a much longer climb than Chew Hill, with about 175m of elevation and an average gradient of around 6 per cent, but at no point during the sub-9 minute effort did my legs feel in the groove I think I used the old excuse that I didnt warm up enough. 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. While those first few kilometres flew by, the final few took more effort. These changes got the bike down to a respectable 8.22kg. Lauf also tweaked the geometry it developed on its first frame, the True Grit, to make the Anywhere ride more like a familiar drop-bar bike. It was a new experience for me having never raced before or had any proper gravel riding experience. Lauf Grit SL. DAVID'S BEST RACE BIKE. Swish. 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). Ive also been very impressed with the Force/XX1 AXS drivetrain, and more so than I have in a mountain bike context. Also, when it comes to comfort, because the front end is suspended its more obvious that the rear isnt. EDITORS PICK // TOP TWO CYCLING LIGHTS FOR 2023, ALL ABOUT WIND TRAINERS AND INDOOR CYCLING, WHAT YOUR PRESTA VALVE CAPS ARE ACTUALLY FOR, PINARELLO F SERIES WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE ALL-NEW RACE BIKES, CANNONDALE UNVEILS SLEEK 2023 ROAD LINE-UP, THROWBACK THURSDAY, 2015: ALEX DOWSETT BREAKS THE HOUR RECORD. The reach is 80mm with a 125mm drop, and the bars have a claimed weight of 240 grams. I might install clip-on mudguards in the future if I feel its necessary. To combine the two in an incredibly beautiful and unforgiving landscape such as Iceland was very special. 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. 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. The Lauf Anywheres geometry has been designed specifically for riding fast over unpredictable terrain. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. PUNCH LINES The wailing sound whenever I squeezed the levers hard gave it away. 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. The Rival brakes match, but only the right side has the shifter lever and mechanics. 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. 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. True Grit . 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. Future upgrade plans include some new wheels, as well as a couple of items to boost long-distance comfort. Using bikepack bags, the Anywhere handled well and remained stable. The last four hours were really tough despite being mostly flat and it seemed my legs had only one speed slow! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This suits me as I intend to ride this bike in as many different ways as possible. I was running Hunts Mason X Hunt 4 Season Disc wheelset during the summer months when I wasnt using the dynamo wheel. I havent yet experienced any creaks or play issues either. On a sunny day, take a picture of a pine forest and youd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between summer and winter especially as puddles in the UK are a near year-round feature. While its a good 10k before anything exciting happens, at least the Lauf is an efficient way of crossing ground and once out on those gravel roads, theyre definitely worth the trip. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Anywhere User's Manual. Lauf is well known in the gravel and adventure cycling world for its unusual leaf sprung Lauf Grit Fork, found on the True Grit. The biggest upgrade I made was to the wheelset and tyres. The frame uses a threaded bottom bracket for extended life with minimal maintenance. 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.

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