Lauf forks (Grit)

[wheelsONfire]

Guys, i would like to check if anyone of you are using a Lauf fork?

Personally developed a curiousity for Lauf Grit
http://www.laufforks.com/lauf-grit/

What do you think, good, bad or inbetween?

[Stolichnaya]

No experience with this fork, but I think it is 900 grams (claimed), so I think one should pass on this.
Sure, travel is nice to have, but riding style, tire choice and pressure on a good rigid fork should be more than enough to compensate for 30mm of travel and added weight.

[Marin]

Plus it looks super weird

[wheelsONfire]

I could imagine, if you ride 650B wheelsets and 55mm tires, you can start talking of somewhere in those regions.
I read a review, they described the feel as under inflated 29er tires. That is not a flattering description in my book.
I can already admit that i get annoyed when i am sprinting and the wheel sag/ compress.

But i wonder if we rode a less wide front tire and had this fork, i wonder how it would both feel and ride.
I can imagine it is all good in worse conditions, but on tarmac.. that is more of a gripe.
Yes and then ofcourse we have the weight...

But this is just theories. I really would like to hear from someone who have actually been using the Grit.
The other forks are 60mm versions.

Long time ago SUNN used 30mm suspension on their MTB's.
These models were made for fast XC racing and not ment to be ridden as a dual suspension bike of modern day.
They also had similar rear suspension (on some models) as Pinarello claims to have invented.
These bikes i talk of, they are all about 20 years ago.
So as they were MTB's, they were ofcourse fitted with wider tires.

But i guess that the Lauf forks are stiffer still. So i am not sure i would just write them off.
A darn pity that it is trial and error, buy and be happy or vice versa.

[bikewithnoname]

Same amount of travel as a lefty Oliver, might be worth having a ride on a cannondale slate and see what that feels like. I wasn't a huge fan myself but horses for courses

[wheelsONfire]

I have a contact which i have been asking about the Grit fork.
Yes, it seems i am not recommended this fork.

From what i get, it's better to try 650B wheels and wider tires (+50mm).
I've been riding Maxxis Rambler EXO/TR and Silkshield 700*40.
These are pretty good at gravel.
I decided to test Panaracer Gravel King SK 700*40 as next.
I'd better not chance on the Lauf Grit. The feedback and opinions seems to suggest it's not a wise choice
for my kind of riding.

Thanks for input!

[Marin]

I'm interested in how you like the GKs though!

[rainerhq]

Here in Estonia many guys use it in XC marathons, but its not suitable for XCO. I think gravel will be ok.
It is ugly as hell. My bike would be very offended with this "thing"

[BenediktS]

Hi all

First off, I work at Lauf Forks. So now that's out of the way.

Since there was a comparison between the Lauf Grit and a Cannondale Oliver I felt like I needed to point out a key difference.

Even though they are both 30mm forks, they go very differently about things.

The Lauf Grit is made to filter out all the small high-frequency hits you encounter in gravel racing. The Cannondale Oliver is set up to mostly deal with larger hits. The Lauf Grit's key strength is in not having friction or damping. This means it can react instantly to force input, and you are not loosing energy on damping. With a damped fork you'd like to have a "pedaling platform" where the fork does not move during smaller force inputs, in order to not waste energy on friction/damping.

When you are riding a Grit, it‘s going to feel like a rigid fork in most ways. The only difference being that you are not being shaken up at the front. Sometimes it however requires a reference bike with a rigid fork to feel the huge difference. It‘s all happening so fast that it‘s hard to spot what‘s going on. Since there is no stick/slip action, or any sounds, in it you won‘t feel when it‘s moving.

Check this video to see how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq4uI0tBvv8

In our experience it‘s best to pair it with roughly 38-42mm tires (with appropriate tire pressure for given terrain), to place the frequency response “handover“ between tire and fork correctly. This way the supple tires deal with the ultra-high frequency vibrations (such as asphalt surface roughness) that are impossible to deal with by any fork/frame suspension solutions, and then the fork takes care of what‘s larger (as seen in the video). These hits are larger, but we‘re of course still talking about very small and fast hits.

If you have any questions on it I‘d be happy to try answering them.

[wheelsONfire]

Nice with some clarifications from the BenediktS!

Well, i have a small update for you guys.
If you click the link below you'll come to my UP at Open Cycles showcase.
Here you can view my UP with Lauf Grit stock / unpainted matte black mounted.
I named my bike The Xplorer (funny, this was well before 3T decided to borrow that name

https://opencycle.com/showcase/xplr3r-1-by-rickard

I decided to wait with leaving the fork for paint untill weather is a bit colder.
So in a few days when i am not sick, i'll have my maiden ride.

I will try to post an update here and i will also try to stay objective on how i feel riding Grit.
First impressions so far, well, i think it looks cool.

It was delivered in a double box and a cloth casing with adapter and a through axle.
In my case, 15*100 which we all know is stock UP. I see they also have 12*100 option for those needing this (optional when ordering the fork).

The included adapter seems to double as 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 adapter and crown race, so no need to buy a new crown race.
The brake hose, (atleast mine) became very stretched and honestly i will replace it for a (new) longer one.
It works, but it's very stretched.
Well worth considering buying a new hose if you need to swap for a longer.
Don't forget a bleeding kit while you're at it!

Part from that, you'd need Shimano SM MA F140PDA adapter if you use post mount brake calipers.
The fork sports the new flat mount design.
Due to offset in this design, you'd use a 140mm version of the adapter (not the 160mm version), when you use 160mm Rotors.

As mentioned, as fast as i have ride impressions i am back with some insight.

[mattr]

So, you look like you are in Sweden going by the pictures.
Was yours the UP i saw at the UCI cross in Göteborg a couple of weeks ago?

[wheelsONfire]

No Mattr, it was not my UP.

[wheelsONfire]

Riding Lauf Grit is certainly not as riding a rigid fork.
The front end makes up for a more relaxed ride, in a manner i did not even thought about.
It seems it kind of makes me more relaxed in my posture and muscles.
Especially neck and shoulders.
It takes tension away. It seems the whole bike takes up less bumps, not just the front.
Maybe the energy in a rigid bike is transmitted back and forth in the frame.
If that would be true, that would mean the link is broken!?

Riding on loose gravel i certainly feel an increase in traction and grip. This is mostly of benefit when you corner or descend, as it is less risk front tire lose grip.

The level of comfort is as one may expect. It seems as the Grit shines well on gravel roads but it's ofcourse carried along on trails.
The rougher it gets, the better and the more benefit you'll have of Grit.

If you like to sprint it's perhaps not ideal or if you ride almost only tarmac.
In these cases i think most had preferred stiffer springs.
Personally i don't feel that it rides like a rigid fork. I would bet just about everyone would notice the difference from first pedal strokes.
I would say the fork works active all the time.
It's such a difference that i think everyone should actually try this to sort out if they like it or not.
Is this to say there is something bad about Grit?
No, what i try to say is that it's a big difference riding a rigid fork and Grit.
When you ride Grit you will not need to take up irregularities that you are used to. Possibly we're doing this without knowing or thinking of it when we ride rigid forks.
This will ofcourse be carried over when you first ride Grit and i expect that we conform/ adapt using Grit.
If you for example come into a corner being a bit to forward (having a bit too much weight at the front end), this will not be a problem if you ride Grit.
Everyone has probably been bombing down a bumpy descent and felt the front end bouncing?
With Grit this is not same. Where front end will shatter and lack traction, you simply will notice the calm and increased traction using Grit.
I don't find Grit so stiff that you will not notice it is active all the time. On the contrary, you will most likely notice that it is active all the time.
I am around 79-80Kg's without my clothes, shoes etc.

The mounting is not difficult. The only thing i would like to say is, buy spare brake hose (and for shimano hydraulic shifters, new olives and inserts 2*2 )
The routing of the brake hose is a bit different on Grit, so to do this nicely means you'll need a longer hose.

Also remember that the rougher a bike rides the faster it will feel. The opposite is also true, the more ease and traction you'll have riding, the more calm the bike will ride.
The latter may also make up for a feeling that you ride slower, but is not anchored to the fact that you are.
Grit will make up for less tension for the rider so you will feel less beaten up after a ride.
Would i recommend Grit?
Yes, in cases you do ride gravel and you do feel you like to ride trails and possibly lighter MTB tracks.
The rougher you like to ride, the more benefit i think you'll have.

I look forward trying some narrower tires than my 500g/ each Gravel King SK.
I don't think i need the widest tires to gain comfort after adding Grit.

[cerro]

So, you look like you are in Sweden going by the pictures.
Was yours the UP i saw at the UCI cross in Göteborg a couple of weeks ago?

That was Erik Jonsson, the owner of Tune Sverige's bike. He also sells Open.

[wheelsONfire]

If we should narrow down riding Lauf Grit vs a stiff fork.

You feel much more relaxed when riding and more fresh afterwards.
If you like to take your bike into trails with good or rougher terrain, the Grit makes this much more controllable.
Also, the bike as complete, feels less affected by bumps.
I have as mentioned no clue how a frame reacts talking technical terms, when hitting obstacles.
But it feels like the traction and grip is on another level.

It certainly minimize the gap between a road bike and a MTB.

Ordered same tires i ride, Panaracer Gravel King SK, in 35mm instead of 40mm.
But i hold off mounting these as it has rained alot + it's also start to freeze up over here.
My scale says the 35mm version is 100 grams lighter.
So i think the 35mm version will be a faster tire.
But the 40mm version is perhaps to prefer with some ice spots here and there.

For those who wonder, how does the longer fork (axle to crown) affect the bike.
Perhaps also the slight difference in offset.
Well, to be fair. It is a smaller effect than i thought it would be.
I would even say it's nothing to worry about because this is not what you notice really.

If you think you might be the person to use a Grit (you like to ride a bit of everything), big chance is that Grit is a good investment.

I would just point out again, be prepared to change the brake hose and see to it that you have inserts and olives.
Ofcourse, also brake fluid/ mineral oil and a bleed kit.