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. The handlebars are standard on all Anywhere models and are available separately for $220. 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. 1996 - 2023 bikeride.com Elite CafeMedia Publisher, If this bike is out of stock, take a look at our other. 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 have had a couple of freehub engagement issues with my pair, though. I found this out when testing the Hunt Superdura dynamo wheel, which uses a 12mm axle Son Delux hub. However, Im hoping to keep hold of the True Grit for a little longer, into 2022. 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. 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! The top of the bars from hood to hood is all glass fiber with the carbon drops bonded on. With more than twenty years of mountain biking experience, and nearly a decade of testing mountain and gravel bikes, Tom has ridden and tested thousands of bikes and products, from super-light XC race bikes through to the most powerful brakes on the market. 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. On asphalt, one reviewer described slight understeer on tight, fast turns. The Lauf Anywhere was about $2k shipped but they're sold out of smalls. With the front end of the bike benefitting from the Grit suspension fork, I was finding the feeling of the bike a little unbalanced, and, truth be told, a little uncomfortable on hard-packed rough tracks. 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 True Grit bikes have a slack seat tube angle (72.5) and are thus set up to be used with zero-setback seatposts. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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. The JAF fork is designed around a 15mm axle, which means many gravel and road wheels arent compatible. As such, the former wouldve preferred a 40t chainring, while the latter wished for a 10t cog. 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. MORE on the Lauf Anywhere & Lauf True Grit www.laufcycling.com . 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. Its still 100 per cent waterproof, having initially tested it on a long cycle tour about three years ago. Its only in the last five years that Ive started riding gravel and road, before that I was more of a mountain biker. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Gates are annoying at the best of times, but boy oh boy, this is the worst kind of gate Ive ever come across. 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. Since then weve had a long British winter thats only just on the wane. Seat tube length measures 542mm, while the head tube is 133mm and theres a 65mm bottom bracket drop. If thats not a bikepacking clich then I dont know what is! Not at all. I was also lucky enough to ride the Grit fork when it launched, and later the True Grit on the launch event in Iceland and longer term after the event. As such, small adjustments require the post to be removed. One item that has been a revelation is the Mudhugger Gravel Hugger rear mudguard. 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. When I ride road bikes, I gravitate towards the racy, more aggressive end of the spectrum. 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. Ill be back, though. Laufs own Smoothie bar dominates the cockpit. Lauf has previously launched a couple of mountain bike and fat bike forks, and the concept for the Grit is the same. But not before Id popped to the local bakery to pick up some Scottish delicacies. This feature completely changed the way how gravel cycling is regarded. With improved frame compliance, massive 292.25 (70057!!!) While the frameset is nicely finished, with numerous neat touches, its the Grit SL fork that steals the show. This uses a glass-fibre top blended into carbon-fibre drops. It relies on a 100 x 15mm axle to secure the front wheel. A hanger is provided for a wireless front derailleur and 2x chainring setup. It was a new experience for me having never raced before or had any proper gravel riding experience. These wheels are a touch deeper than the DT wheels at 28mm, and are also a little wider internally, coming in at 24mm. Subsequently, the tyres I have on there have a little more volume. For a fully-fledged gravel race frame, the Anywhere can be built up pretty light too. pdf. Join Join. 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. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. 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. 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. The rest of my sleeping kit was stored in the saddle bag. It also meant that I didnt actually change anything specifically on my bike, and much to the amusement of Joe I even kept on my third down-tube bottle cage and 32mm gravel tyres. Entering year three of racing it (12+ races per year). Compared to a racier road bike, the steering will feel unresponsive and hard to turn. 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. 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. After completing my first hill climb race on the Lauf Anywhere, it got me thinking about the bikes weight. Unfortunately, I couldnt complete the ride due to acute knee pain, which I later found out was an overuse injury of the tendon. The Anywhere will handle pretty much whatever adventure your imagination can think of and although it might not be the most comfortable, it will do it with speed at its heart. This suits me as I intend to ride this bike in as many different ways as possible. Lauf is well known in the gravel and adventure cycling world for its unusual leaf sprung Lauf Grit Fork, found on the True Grit. Felix Smith is the video manager of BikeRadar's YouTube channel. 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. The Anywhere could feel harsh on long and intense gravel races. Awesome! I took my good friend George and it was to be his first experience of riding out and sleeping under the stars. Was I nervous about hitting potholes in the dark with a carbon frame? Its not designed to carry all your bells and whistles, but still manages to blend an element of comfort into its relatively racy demeanour, with generous front-end-height adjustment if you dont have pro-Tour-esque flexibility. Inevitably, I set off late. However, Lauf itself has recently moved over to fitting E13s wheels from stock. Tom has written for BikeRadar, MBUK and Cycling Plus, and was previously technical editor of What Mountain Bike magazine. This is exacerbated when I ride in the same place, a month or two apart. I was running Hunts Mason X Hunt 4 Season Disc wheelset during the summer months when I wasnt using the dynamo wheel. 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. 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. The last four hours were really tough despite being mostly flat and it seemed my legs had only one speed slow! While Lauf quotes a 45c tyre clearance at the back, I think thats more applicable for true mid-western gravel. #biggravelmiles #lauftruegritKim finally got a gravel bike..And I'm actually kinda jealous. The weather stayed dry and riding out of the woods to see the sunrise was really special and a rare treat in the UK. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These aluminium wheels are 27mm deep with a 19mm internal width and come in at 1,588g for the pair. Lauf True Grit $3,690 to $10,490 Lauf True Grit. Well it performed faultlessly. The Anywhere rode well on gravel, fire-trails, asphalt and manicured trails. 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 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. 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. 2023 - Road Bike Action. 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. As such, Ill keep my long-term reports rolling in every couple of months. The smooth rolling of sub-40psi is certainly alluring. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? 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. I had just my annoying Garmin Virtual Partner for company (seriously, Garmin, why cant I turn it off on my 830?! One of the reasons for this is its geometry. The experience, organisation of the ride and the people I met were something very special and I intend to do similar events in the future. September marks the start of the UK hill climb season and it was exciting to be a part of the event. I might install clip-on mudguards in the future if I feel its necessary. On the road, they dont feel too sluggish and their relatively continuous central tread rolls fast, while the carcass seems supple. Story; Direct to Consumer; Crew; Lauf Legends; Reviews; Legacy Products. 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. 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. We are all huge fans of the True Grit and Zap even chose it as his favorite dual purpose bike of 2018. Anywhere Installation Guide. The most obvious changes were the wheels and tyres. I felt I really understood what the team behind Lauf wanted to create. 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. More on those later. It impressed on asphalt, dirt and true gravel. This construction, plus the overall shaping, allows for isolated flex and a perfect mate for the new rigid fork. 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. While many other gravel bikes have specific damping qualities built into the frame, whether thats using different kinds of carbon in different areas or even elastomers or suspension, the Anywhere feels fairly basic in comparison, and other areas of the bike, such as the tyres, have a greater impact on comfort. Bib: Velocio 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.. 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. Im not going to sit back and say the True Grit was an unknown quantity far from it. I wish I could keep both (and maybr I could if I didn't get the 2nd highest spec True Grit), but I don't really have the room and I probably wouldn't ride both enough to make it worth it. The ride took me south on a mostly flat, traffic-free route and I planned my bivi spot at around 35km. 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. 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. 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 shape of the bike works well for my needs, proving comfortable in sizing and allowing me to adequately get into those more aero shapes that work well on road sections. I swapped the front chainring from a 42-tooth to a Hope 38-tooth narrow wide model. Long-4-Speed geometry keeps things stable at speed and on unruly surfaces. I would say that for a relatively short ride the gearing is fine. Greetings all, I am considering getting the Lauf Seigla Weekend Warrior (mechanical groupset), but saw that the Lauf True Grit Weekend Warrior is currently 20% off here in the US. Sweep and flare enhanced the comfort of the Smoothie handlebar. Particularly, it is more lightweight, more compact, and sturdier than the standard model. Builds all feature SRAM Rival, Force or Red XPLR groupsets, e*thirteen wheels with 40mm Maxxis Rambler tires, and FSA and Fizik finishing kit. Bosses are many - 3x bottle-bosses, 3x fork eyelets and bento-box eyelets. This was a slight oversight on my behalf which meant that I had to switch the fork to one with a 12mm axle. 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. 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. It would be good to see some provision for internal dropper post cable routing, too. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The frame uses a threaded bottom bracket for extended life with minimal maintenance. Was I still happy with the gearing choice after adding all that weight? In future updates, Ill talk more about the geometry and handling. 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 Forks. 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. Unfortunately, the Lauf JAF fork uses a 15mm thru-axle and therefore was incompatible with the SONdelux hub on the Superdura Dynamo Disc wheel. Personally, I prefer a slightly more aggressive fit on a bike, and have slightly shorter legs for my height, so chose the Medium. The True Grit has, largely, worked as expected. 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. Also developed in house by Lauf is the flared drop bar, which is called the Smoothie Composite. I also think the harshness that, most likely, comes from a stiff carbon frame makes this bike particularly rough when riding big gravel. The bike is running an 11-42t cassette on a standard Shimano HG style freehub. However, this time, the event included a more testing climb with a very talented field. To continue testing the versatility of the Lauf Anywhere, I entered my second hill climb race of the season at Burrington a local hill not far from Cheddar Gorge. 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. 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 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. If I wasnt bathed in sweat, thanks to a full complement of windproof gear and winter shoes, Id have been loving life. Having ridden the bike for quite a while already, Ive made a few changes, which Ill talk more about in future updates. Why is the geometry this way? I rode the Lauf Anywhere on my biggest challenge yet a 2,000km self-supported road event called the Transatlantic Way. The 111 drivetrain is predominantly made up of SRAM Rival 1, including the brakes, shifters and rear derailleur, but comes with an S350 crankset. MG had to run a 25-degree rise, 75mm length stem to dial the fit in for his preferences. 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. While tyre widths have increased, and the bike has a suspension fork, it's still a race . 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. 15mm front axle, STATS 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. ), goading me into riding faster than my cold legs would go. It was clear the Smoothie had considerably more flex than the other brands. 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. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. No bike can be perfect at everything, though, and there are a few points to consider. The bikes finishing kit includes a premium FSA SL-K 27.2mm carbon seatpost, Easton EA70 stem and a Ritchey Comp Streem saddle. Lauf's True Grit makes the drop-bar bike feel a whole lot more viable (and comfortable) off-road. THE PARTS Shoes: Giro Empire VR90 Helmet: Giro Synthe The bars help to elevate confidence and maintain traction, but on some of our favorite routes, we were still left wishing we had the suspension fork. Felix's time on the Lauf Anywhere is over, so how did he get on with his go-anywhere gravel bike? Before reviewing the wheels Id like to spend more time on them, but so far that extra depth has had little effect on the handling of the bike, apart from perhaps in the strongest sidewind gusts where theres obviously a little more deflection. As you might or might not know, the core of Lauf True Grit is the Lauf Grit SL, with its 30mm front suspension fork. Ive plans in the works thatll see me riding the bike a lot later in the year, and in the run up there are a few modifications thatll be needed. 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. 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. 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 Anywhere is marketed as an all-out gravel race bike, and its versatile nature lends itself to a whole host of different riding styles and terrain. When jutting across roads less traveled, you can feel the bars flexing while on the hoods. 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. Perhaps the biggest low of the Anywhere is the 15mm axle on the JAF fork. This time last year I was banging out 100 to 150k rides weekly, with occasional jaunts of up to around 200k. So, even without prior knowledge of Laufs bikes, the True Grit would naturally sit towards the top of my shortlist. Anywhere User's Manual. Its as much about comfort as it is about control. Unfortunately, on that aforementioned first ride, it became apparent that the SRAM Apex rear brake had, at some point, become contaminated. Felix spent much of his youth riding mountain bikes but has now gravitated towards endurance and gravel riding. 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. The frame also allows wide tyres of up to 45mm. Lauf True Grit review; Lauf Anywhere review; Pro(moter) bike: Crusher in the Tushar founder Burke Swindlehurst's Lauf Anywhere; Lauf's new model debuted 'Direct To You', will operate . 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. 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. 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. That's with a hodgepodge spec of alloy Easton EA70 stem and FSA post, Ritchey saddle and DT Swiss wheels. 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. We have read all expert and user reviews on the Lauf Anywhere. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. Grit / Grit SL . From there, I enjoyed a mix of tarmac, farm track and, eventually, classic Scottish gravel double track through and past Carrbridge, and on to the climb up and over the hills to Lochindorb. 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. Plush 40mm tires are stock, providing a supple ride on many surfaces. 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. 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. 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. 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. BIKE OF THE WEEK: SCHMOLKE INFINITY GRAVEL, THROWBACK THURSDAY, 2015: ALEX DOWSETT BREAKS THE HOUR, TOM PIDCOCK SHOWS OFF INSANE DESCENDING SKILLS, WATCH 2023 TOUR DOWN UNDER PROLOGUE HIGHLIGHTS. 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. Having not ridden properly for over a month due to (a non-cycling) injury and attending Eurobike, I had absolutely no pressure on me. 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. 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. When jutting across roads less traveled, you can feel the bars flexing while on the hoods. for a true multi-purpose bike, the Anywhere hits the mark, especially if there is more pavement in your schedule. 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. 3x Bottle Mounts Three bottle mounts come in handy for a long day in the saddle. Riding the Lauf all year round, oftennot in a commercial forest, means I see the seasons changing whenever I ride. Its barely compromised on tarmac with the right tyres and itll fly along unmade roads with gleeful abandon. Force level shifters are joined by an XX1 AXS derailleur and 10-50t cassette, driven by a Force 1 chainset with a 42t ring. 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. 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.
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