I count that as success any day! Although the frame is fairly light for a gravel bike at 1,070g, it doesnt feel particularly supple. 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. for a true multi-purpose bike, the Anywhere hits the mark, especially if there is more pavement in your schedule. you get the best of both worlds and the ability to adapt the horse to the course This is still one of my favorite handlebars The shape is unique but extremely comfortable If youre looking everywhere for a gravel bike, try looking Anywhere. 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. These wheels, built for XC racing, have an internal width of 22.5mm and combined with the tubeless 700 x 40c WTB Nano tyres, the bike had lots of grip and a more confidence-inspiring wheelset. Seat tube length measures 542mm, while the head tube is 133mm and theres a 65mm bottom bracket drop. Combined with a relatively low front-end, the bike can be built fairly aggressively with aerodynamic qualities. High-frequency buzz is greatly reduced, which not only improves comfort over an individual bump but also helps minimise fatigue on long slogs. Lauf has made room for 45mm tires with plenty of space for large knobs and debris to pass through. 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. These changes got the bike down to a respectable 8.22kg. Already have an account with us? Im also considering fitting my old-faithful WTB Volt saddle, although it might be a relative downgrade in spec its an upgrade in comfort for me. This could be changed to a 10-42t if the freehub was also changed to an XD driver to accommodate the smaller 10t cog. Ive only recently been letting my tyres down so low on the True Grit. When not riding he can be found at the climbing wall, in his garden or cooking up culinary delights. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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. There are three water bottle cage mounts, as well as a bolt-on top tube mounts for a bag. MG had to run a 25-degree rise, 75mm length stem to dial the fit in for his preferences. 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. 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! As for the Lauf? The carbon in the handlebar has been specifically used to promote flex and reduce the high frequency chatter that you find when gravel riding. The virtual top tube length is 56.9cm with a frame reach of 39.9cm. Felix Smith is the video manager of BikeRadar's YouTube channel. The bike comes with tubeless-ready DT Swiss X1900 wheels and is specced with a Shimano-style freehub body. 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. Frame: Lauf Anywhere (12x142mm TA) Fork: Lauf JAF (15x100mm TA) . 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. 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 frame uses a 12x142mm rear thru-axle and a 15x100mm front thru-axle with flat-mount disc brakes. 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. 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. The Lauf Smoothie handlebars are designed to eat vibrations and are made from the same flexible carbon as the Lauf Grit leaf sprung fork. I felt I really understood what the team behind Lauf wanted to create. 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. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Ive also been very impressed with the Force/XX1 AXS drivetrain, and more so than I have in a mountain bike context. Subsequently, the tyres I have on there have a little more volume. 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. Starting at 10pm this was not only an overnight ride but also the longest single ride I had ever attempted. The Anywhere frame is identical to the True Grit, with the only difference being the graphic and rigid fork. Gravel and adventure bikes with the highest BikeRide Scores. 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. 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). Hes also worked out that shaving your legs saves 8 watts, while testing aerodynamics in a wind tunnel. The rear chainstays are reasonably boxy, boosting pedalling stiffness, while the slender seatstays are there to give a little comfort. Bosses are many - 3x bottle-bosses, 3x fork eyelets and bento-box eyelets. I have it in the 20-litre size and it just fits my Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20 winter sleeping bag. It's just a shame that the JAF fork limits the bike's compatibility with road and. A form of built-in frame compliance would also pose an advantage if you plan to ride ultra distances when comfort is most needed. 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. Ive got the brake hoods angled in slightly, as is my preferred feel. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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). The top of the bars from hood to hood is all glass fiber with the carbon drops bonded on. In a few situations, the forks architecture can lead to some unwanted twist, which is especially noticeable on steep, rough corners where you need to brake. This model is the second tier of the four-model range and features DT Swiss alloy hoops wrapped in Maxxis Rambler tyres, a SRAM Force/XX1 AXS wireless 1x groupset with a 10-50t cassette, and a smattering of FSA and Lauf finishing kit. Plush 40mm tires are stock, providing a supple ride on many surfaces. This feature completely changed the way how gravel cycling is regarded. The bike sits in the middle of the Anywhere range and is referred to as the Weekend Warrior Edition. When jutting across roads less traveled, you can feel the bars flexing while on the hoods. It would be good to see some provision for internal dropper post cable routing, too. Also, when it comes to comfort, because the front end is suspended its more obvious that the rear isnt. 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. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The Anywhere is nearly identical in feel and handling when on the pavement. While those first few kilometres flew by, the final few took more effort. Obviously, a lighter drivetrain and wheelset/tyre combination would drop a significant amount of weight should I start getting more serious about riding uphill. On asphalt, one reviewer described slight understeer on tight, fast turns. Since. 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. He is also a regular presenter on BikeRadars YouTube channel and the BikeRadar podcast. It has Lauf Lush bartape and is 420mm wide on the medium size. The Lauf Anywheres geometry has been designed specifically for riding fast over unpredictable terrain. 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! 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. I mentioned in my initial review (see below) that I would be getting a dynamo wheel to remove the need for heavy batteries and keep myself visible at all times, well I chose the Hunt Superdura Dynamo Disc wheel paired with an Exposure Revo Dynamo front light and Redeye rear light. 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 love my Grail, but it's basically a road bike and doesn't really dampen anything off road. 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. Ive also been using a number of 76Projects items, including the excellent Modular Computer Mount to hold my Garmin and Magicshine front light. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. However, Its also noticeable when riding over rough roads. Ill be back, though. He has a particular focus on mountain bikes, but spends plenty of time on gravel bikes, too. Thanks for the feedback. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. With summer waning and the memories of riding the Transatlantic Way fading, I organised a simple overnight bikepacking ride out of Bristol. 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. The Maxxis Rambler tyres seem to be a decent all-rounder. The head tube angle is a bit steeper at 71 degrees . Metres would have been cooler. Lauf is now providing a new option in ride (and appearance) preference while maintaining their legacy of uniqueand appreciatedride compliance. While I very much like the True Grit, I do have a couple of complaints. One of the best moments riding the Anywhere has got to be taking part in The Rift gravel race. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. Perhaps the biggest low of the Anywhere is the 15mm axle on the JAF fork. Gates are annoying at the best of times, but boy oh boy, this is the worst kind of gate Ive ever come across. I set up the WTB Exposure tyre with Weldtite sealant which, despite putting in more than recommended, ended up spraying out and not sealing. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. In future updates, Ill talk more about the geometry and handling. One signature Lauf feature carried over on the Anywhere is the handy seatstay-mounted bottle opener, which doubles as a front derailleur mount for anyone who prefers a 2x drivetrain or gets less thirsty on the ride. Unfortunately, on that aforementioned first ride, it became apparent that the SRAM Apex rear brake had, at some point, become contaminated. 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. I got out of the saddle on most of the climbs and spent less time spinning on sharp hills. More on those later. When taking tight turns you have to lean into them with confidence. In the drops you still feel the flex up and down across the bar, but there is almost no twisting flex. I reinstalled the third bottle cage on the down tube, but to carry my coffee and coffee cup. 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 No matter how much flex the Smoothie bar promised, I was still very much aching after the constant vibration more press ups needed, perhaps? They are also tubeless-ready and come with everything needed to make the conversion happen. The TCR weighs in at 17.12 pounds . While there were no hills to hinder my progress, it did seem like death by a thousand gates. Perhaps not surprising because this bike has, as claimed by Lauf offers Copious amount of microscopic comfort. Yes, a wider tyre in theory would be a great option, however clearance at the back of the bike is limited, and while Lauf says a 45c tyre can be fitted in there, I reckon thats only going to work in dry, dusty locations. Here, the fork sometimes twists and twangs, which can be unnerving. The new Lauf Seigla takes everything that was good about the True Grit gravel bike and makes it bigger and better. 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. Weight: 18.75 pounds The reach is 80mm with a 125mm drop, and the bars have a claimed weight of 240 grams. Its barely compromised on tarmac with the right tyres and itll fly along unmade roads with gleeful abandon. For a fully-fledged gravel race frame, the Anywhere can be built up pretty light too. I refuse to ride anything else. The large but smooth 40mm tires allowed us to run low tire pressures (35psi) on wet roads offering great traction and speed. After completing my first hill climb race on the Lauf Anywhere, it got me thinking about the bikes weight. 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. Glasses: Goodr superfly. 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. 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. However, I like the position, especially when descending. THE FRAME As featured in my third update, below, I spend regular, but not consistent amounts of time in Aviemore, Scotland. If thats not a bikepacking clich then I dont know what is! My reasoning for this isnt because it will give me a faster top-end speed, but rather would allow me to run a smaller chainring up front without sacrificing too much of the top-end speed being lost from the smaller chainring. Im not going to sit back and say the True Grit was an unknown quantity far from it. 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. 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 JAF fork is designed around a 15mm axle, which means many gravel and road wheels arent compatible. One of the reasons for this is its geometry. Entering year three of racing it (12+ races per year). At the beginning of June I headed out to Ireland to ride the Transatlantic Way a self-supported ride from Dublin to Kinsale, Cork via the wild west coast. Future upgrade plans include some new wheels, as well as a couple of items to boost long-distance comfort. 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, This is an initial score and could change as I spend more time on the bike, GBP 3,890.00 RRP This fork had the right axle size, flat-mount disc compatibility and tyre clearance for up to 42 x 700c, ticking all the boxes. As it was, it was a fairly steep, but entirely rideable and incredibly scenic rough doubletrack over the hill with a little dip and then a steep final pitch to 360-degree views of the mountains. Also developed in house by Lauf is the flared drop bar, which is called the Smoothie Composite. Pick-up from the rear hub is good and they have a nice muted buzz to them. 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. Helmet: Giro Synthe Basically, what we have here is a roadie version of the True Grit. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. 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. SRAM Force calipers, linked to those shifters, pull on 160mm rotors, front and rear. The frame is light at 1,070g, but also strong enough for tackling serious gravel racing. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? The Anywhere is nearly identical in feel and handling to the True Grit when on the pavement. Download installation guides and manuals for your Lauf forks. The Lauf Anywhere was about $2k shipped but they're sold out of smalls. 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. Features The Anywhere is (bike-) packed with great features designed for a menu of mixed terrain. The 111 drivetrain is predominantly made up of SRAM Rival 1, including the brakes, shifters and rear derailleur, but comes with an S350 crankset. 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. 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. RBA OG Embroidered Champion Packable Jacket. Six weeks after the Transatlantic Way, I was off to race The Rift a 200km gravel race in Hvolsller, Iceland. That's with a hodgepodge spec of alloy Easton EA70 stem and FSA post, Ritchey saddle and DT Swiss wheels.
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