Lauf Forks redux

[William]

Checking in again with the forum at large....

We were watching the Eco Challenge Fiji last night and I noticed a team running Lauf forks which got me wondering again, with the growth of gravel riding, anyone running Lauf forks? I've always thought this was an interesting design to run without going full on shocks.

Here are the two previous threads from 2014 and 2016 if anyone is feeling nostalgic:

2014
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=145368&highlight=lauf

2016
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=189931&highlight=lauf


"Gravel, it's the new road!" - 2014






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[JAGI410]

They work pretty well. Some of the gravel forks need a little less tire than you'd think would fit, as they might flex a bit under sprinting and rub the fork legs. But they are comfortable and reliable!

They also screwed over their dealers and went straight to consumer.

[AngryScientist]

sparky here has one that he likes and has ridden around crazy places like iceland with!

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=238700&highlight=iceland

[William]

sparky here has one that he likes and has ridden around crazy places like iceland with!

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=238700&highlight=iceland


Nice set up! :cool: Apprently I missed that thread.





W.

[William]

Looking at their website it seems that us Clydesdales are out in the cold. 242 pounds is the max including gear. The fat tire fork maxes out at 265, but I don't want to run a fat tire on the front of my gravel rig. I guess us Clydes will leave it to the wee people ride these.:)

Don't get me wrong, I think they are very interesting but I'm outside the bellcurve...oh well.





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[Cornfed]

Looking at their website it seems that us Clydesdales are out in the cold. 242 pounds is the max including gear. The fat tire fork maxes out at 265, but I don't want to run a fat tire on the front of my gravel rig. I guess us Clydes will leave it to the wee people ride these.:)

Don't get me wrong, I think they are very interesting but I'm outside the bellcurve...oh well.

W.

As someone who teeters on the edge of Clydes-ville, often spilling over when bikepacking, I'm pretty sure those are your typically conservative guidelines from the manufacturer. I'm a fan of Laufs -- even the look -- but I would only use one if I were going on a long, long gravel tour. For daily rides, I prefer the sharper steering of a rigid fork.

And speaking of long, long gravel tours, check out my favorite outdoor photographer Chris Burkard, currently riding unsupported across Iceland: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburkard/?hl=en

[William]

As someone who teeters on the edge of Clydes-ville, often spilling over when bikepacking, I'm pretty sure those are your typically conservative guidelines from the manufacturer. I'm a fan of Laufs -- even the look -- but I would only use one if I were going on a long, long gravel tour. For daily rides, I prefer the sharper steering of a rigid fork.

And speaking of long, long gravel tours, check out my favorite outdoor photographer Chris Burkard, currently riding unsupported across Iceland: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburkard/?hl=en


While I agree the rating is probably conservative, forks are one piece of equipment where I don't want to push the envelope too much. I generally hover around 260 give or take a couple of pounds. That's just me and no gear, water, food, etc...

Thanks for the link to Mr. Burkard's IG account, very cool!






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[djg21]

Checking in again with the forum at large....

We were watching the Eco Challenge Fiji last night and I noticed a team running Lauf forks which got me wondering again, with the growth of gravel riding, anyone running Lauf forks? I've always thought this was an interesting design to run without going full on shocks.

Here are the two previous threads from 2014 and 2016 if anyone is feeling nostalgic:

2014
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=145368&highlight=lauf

2016
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=189931&highlight=lauf


"Gravel, it's the new road!" - 2014






W.

I just got one with my Lynskey GR Race frame. Unfortunately, I’m not building the bike up for a few more months. After riding Farmers Daugher last year on my old cross bike and having sore shoulders and hands for a week from all the washboard, I opted for the Lauf Grit.

[William]

I just got one with my Lynskey GR Race frame. Unfortunately, I’m not building the bike up for a few more months. After riding Farmers Daugher last year on my old cross bike and having sore shoulders and hands for a week from all the washboard, I opted for the Lauf Grit.


Nice, ride report and picts when you get it set up please!!




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[djg21]

Nice, ride report and picts when you get it set up please!!

W.

Maybe I can set up a gofundme page? I’ll be doing a Force AXS/Eagle mullet build with a 44/10-50. (I’m still figuring out wheels, but thinking something along the lines of FLO G700s (https://flocycling.com/products/flo-g700-disc-brake). I’m about 215lbs right now after having a lackluster summer, so I’m probably at the verge for the Lauf Grit. I figure I’ll build a second set of wheels to throw some slick or studded tires so it will become my winter bike. I’m looking forward to the next farmer’s daughter.

[JWB475]

The revised/updated Lauf Grit 'SL' is definitely much more pleasing to the eye. Seems like a much better solution for gravel than the other significantly heavier and more complex options out there (Fox AX, Cannondale Lefty, etc).

[sparky33]

While I agree the rating is probably conservative, forks are one piece of equipment where I don't want to push the envelope too much. I generally hover around 260 give or take a couple of pounds. That's just me and no gear, water, food, etc...

Thanks for the link to Mr. Burkard's IG account, very cool!






W.


Lauf customer service is great at answering all kinds of questions. They can likely discuss how the fork works for riders near the high end of the recommended range.

fwiw, Angry’s link to my thread above says about all I can say about the Lauf. Others make useful comments too. In short, the fork doesn’t do much at any moment but it does a lot over the long haul wrt to fatigue and comfort. It also improves handling in the rough. I am so pleased with mine.

I just got a set of RH Oracle Ridge 700x48 knobbies that will make the Lauf even better. Good times.

[William]

Lauf customer service is great at answering all kinds of questions. They can likely discuss how the fork works for riders near the high end of the recommended range.

fwiw, Angry’s link to my thread above says about all I can say about the Lauf. Others make useful comments too. In short, the fork doesn’t do much at any moment but it does a lot over the long haul wrt to fatigue and comfort. It also improves handling in the rough. I am so pleased with mine.

I just got a set of RH Oracle Ridge 700x48 knobbies that will make the Lauf even better. Good times.


Nice set up you have their and I'm happy it's really performing for you. I will try reaching out to their CS team and see what kind of feedback I get.





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