Gravel Bike Suspension?! | Meeting Lauf In Iceland

[@gcn]

Let us know what you think of the innovative forks from Lauf. Would you like a set? 👇

[@nivramnuqui8339]

Global Cycling Network Can I get a pair of jerseys? Please? 50th view 7th comment

[@leesonrider]

When does a gravel or cx bike become a MTB

[@JohnBaxendale]

They definitely look a bit weird, but the idea is great and I think they came across as a very cool company who are super passionate about their product, that, for me, kind of makes me want one. Oh, and the beer bottle opener, that´s just cool.

[@iamthesunnyboy]

F*ck yeah!

[@sandrochiavaroBeerCircles]

Global Cycling Network there are s couple models at my local bike shop, and to be perfectly honest, I didn’t think much of it until this video. I do see the see the appeal for comfort and also lack of maintenance. Great video guys! Now to the real question, did you bring back to the UK Loydy a home brew?? Oh Icelander and their love for fermentation 👍🏽👍🏽

[@vegn_brit5176]

Three people out of the office on gravel bike duties, racing. Chilling out with like minded cyclists, drinking beer brewed in the office. This would be my idea of a workplace in heaven.

[@archangel2492]

Thats my dream job

[@stuartdryer1352]

These Vikings are incredibly creative and self reliant. Home brewing their own beer at work is next level. The bikes look awesome.

[@criggie]

Would that make it "Officebrew" rather than "Homebrew" ?

[@Metal-Possum]

@@criggie The notes of paper and toner aren't so bad, but I'm having a hard time getting down all the staples and paper clips that settle at the bottom.

[@supernpstr]

Love the fact that there 6 guys who have everything setup right above a Tattoo store with all their equipment filled in a apartment sized rooms. Ingenious!

[@Juan0003]

I enjoyed watching Si working out his arms in this video more than he does in one year!

[@dougburritt2412]

Went into my local shop looking for a more comfortable gravel bike for this 60 year old guy. Shop Mgr. showed me the True Grit, thought he was out of his mind to point me toward this gimmicky contraption. Let me take the loaner for a trail ride. I couldn’t stop at 15 miles, kept going to 20, then 30 and then 40 miles. LOVED every second of the ride. Returned it, tried it again the next weekend and loved it even more. 2 days later I was the proud owner of an awesome True Grit! I love, Love, Love the ride and handling on this bike with tubeless 40’s. Invested in a set of Stan’s road wheels and tubeless for them as well. This is my go to bike.

[@gravybeatty209]

I got a chance to ride one of the bikes when the Luaf guy was in San Antonio, Texas. The True Grit was cool. The bike felt super light, and the fork did just what any fork is supposed to do, soften the ride, give you more control. But all that, and super light weight, Also I was impressed with the design and manufacture technique.

[@cliffordromina3527]

At 0:47 i started to panic, i thought the van is gonna hit si..

[@TheM4Dr1Zz]

same LOL

[@Jan_sus]

Not funny lol

[@raghavkamath]

Me too lol

[@Niidea1986]

same here, I was like RIP Simon xDDD

[@poptartca]

"This is the GCN Show" "Today i will be showing you the new gravel bike with flat handle bars, full dual suspension and 40mm tires to allow us to not only ride gravel roads, but all the jumps at whistler bike park"

[@drownedgod]

gravel bikes in 20 years will literally just be modern mountain bikes

[@tijmen1949]

@@drownedgod mount a wider drop bar on your mountain bike and you're golden mate

[@colinisnowlostincolorado]

It's so awesome to see what technology and time was spent making an awesome product. I love my grit Lauf and I get a lot of (WTH is that !?) Whenever I ride.

[@solarflare1008]

Decades without seeing that tshir with a new modern version. "Choose life" congratulations on your product.

[@seannmoriarty2974]

I've always been fascinated by these forks. Thanks so much for the in-depth look Si. I want one now more than ever. #GCNforever!

[@giuliomagarotto9819]

Best thing about the video is watching a great workplace where happiness and Productivity goes along together. As a worker in a outlet store where you have to eat your lunch in a cold warehouse, this makes me wanna to move to Iceland, although I can't really stand the cold XD

[@jonburnell532]

I love seeing innovation and how companies/people get round and solve problems. Great work Lauf, really interesting 👍

[@manonamission9567]

As a mountain biker this just makes me lauf

[@neilmcadie8684]

I just attended a Lauf demo ride, man that bike is awesome! I couldn't believe how nice it is to ride off road. As a roadie who doesn't want to ride a mountain bike this is the perfect compromise in my mind.

[@ZenEndurance]

Yep. The travel, weight, and no maintenance is perfect for gravel.

[@relic0457]

Its rare and nice to see people in a HQ replies this naturally

[@Pratalax]

"you must be bitterly cold" as he stands smiling, zipper open around the neck, no gloves... Nice video though guys, I've always been curious about Lauf, they seem like a really good bunch. It's great to see such a small company make such a big wave, it certainly shows....True Grit.

[@bhatnagarsumit]

Refreshing to see a small bunch of inventors successfull creating a practical solution... Very nice!

[@johnmac9995]

Si dressed for winter, Lauf chap dressed for summer.

[@cliffordromina3527]

Not quite summer, he should have also wear sleeveless lycra..

[@FlyMyTurtle]

This is a very interesting concept I had great fun in watching. However I wish there were a few more critical questions to its concept: 1. How much weight is saved vs. a high-end lightweight telescopic fork like a Rock Shox RS-1 or compared to normal forks used in gravel bikes? 2. How significant is the disadvantage that this is just a spring without a dampener system? Does this translate into a significant time penalty vs telescopic air fork. Is this made with the intention to let you save time on gnarly terrain or increase comfort and control for casual riders? Pardon me, if I overheard the last point. 3. Towards which rider weight was this optimized for? I can imagine for lightweight persons the spring could be too stiff and for overweight people too soft. Or is it solved by offering multiple variants? This is one of the biggest advantages of air forks.

[@geoffreyanderson4719]

Yep, yours are good questions.

[@Maccaroney]

Also how much of an aero nightmare is it?

[@CristianCiupitu]

2. Quoting from their website: "Since the travel is fairly short and progressive, we don’t need damping".

[@CristianCiupitu]

3. Quoting from the web page for the TR Boost fork: «Spring Rate Regular (over 65 kg / 143 lbs) or Light (under 70 kg / 154 lbs) This should be used as a reference. If you’re an aggressive rider it’s likely that you’d prefer the “Regular” stiffness, even though you weigh less than 70kg. You won’t lose any of the small bump compliance.»

[@giovannispinotti]

@@CristianCiupitu Which is pretty puzzling: every suspension in the world has a spring and a damp, they could have simply put a damping material between the springs maybe?

[@colinthompson5881]

That complete bike looks incredible, really want one!

[@xuchenglin6256]

This one is good! Really love these small but interesting startup companies, love to watch how the innovative things actually come up like this, GCN give us more!

[@aagomb]

Great product! Too bad the review ride was so short!

[@kyrillkryvenko752]

Absolutely great idea and implementation, Lauf! And nice team as well! I would love to work on such stuff! Fiberglass has amazing damping properties. If you try testing fiberglass specimen in tension mode for fatigue at the same frequencies as metals like steel or aircraft aluminium, it would heat up and start burning - that much energy it absorbs. Awesome fiberglass damping properties are widely employed in helicopter blade construction, car leaf springs, skies and others.

[@hopeandglory1704]

seriously i now cant stop laufing lol

[@connormcguire8439]

lauf out loud?

[@weareallbeingwatched4602]

It is not a laufing matter, this is serious.

[@--impressive--]

@@weareallbeingwatched4602 my laufing is horror

[@BozoseCompany]

not sure id ride it myself but i really appreciate their ingenuity ! good thinking

[@justingt3rs]

this is really cool, i like his point on no maintenance

[@shaunroach7829]

GCN I Had the Lauf Carbonera fat bike fork for a year on my fat bike. Saved over 2 pounds in weight compared to a regular fork it chewed up the small bump compliance with ease. Only issue was going dowhill and hitting bumps it does not have any dampning so you would get bounced around a lot. It was durable and reliable and light weight! Lauf makes great products and having it on your gravel or adventure bike would give you more options for off roading and comfortability on thoise long rides. Overall its expensive but does serve specific purpose and works!!!

[@pknark]

That was amazing. What wicked piece of tech!. Si’s hammering reminded me of my 2 year old trying to open anything with a hammer, lol. Great video

[@hugoburton5222]

15:10. You don't need a bottle opener on your bike. Just use your the tip of your cleat on your shoe. Works perfectly

[@SUPjunkiepaddleboarding9494]

Absolutely genius, such common sense for gravel. Good luck guys

[@frazergoodwin4945]

Brilliant video - and one that manages to capture just how wacky and bat shit crazy Reykjavik is. Thoroughly recommend it!

[@DavidTuttleTex]

I like this bike, and it has a bottle opener instead of a front derailleur (Front Mech) Awesome!

[@sanderschuringa1]

Got a Lauf myself on my MTB, good lord! Have they mentioned the fork weighs less than 1kg? What a great experience...

[@Scohen415]

Liked the guys Grinduro T shirt. Theres an event GCN should cover.

[@turijohnthomas]

Reminds me of the old school proflex suspension forks. Nolathane bushes on a parallelogram.

[@YourNickIsTaken]

Amazing story. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheUselessTrials]

Wow, looks proper. I'd like to put one of these to the test with some trials riding.

[@RudiJoubert]

WOW!!! Super impressed by these guys!!!

[@Antibionic50]

Yeah!

[@SaintKimbo]

These guys are ignoring a huge market by only concentrating on gravel and MTB's. I came back into cycling recently in my 50's and only ride in urban areas and cycle paths, almost immediately the numb hands and butt from various dodgy footpaths and rough roads made me want to quit. I fitted a Redshift stem, and that has been great, and have experimented with various suspension seat posts and seats to make riding bearable. If Lauf or anyone else, made a bike with front and rear suspension that does what they claim, and marketed it as a 'comfort bike', to alleviate the all the minor bumps and vibration of typical urban riding, they would have a winner, I reckon. A regular road bike is totally unsuitable for urban riding with all the bangs and bumps, you have to put up with, might be ok if you are young and limber and are concerned about your macho image, but there is a big market for a short travel small bump suspension bike for all the rest of us, unfit, overweight enthusiasts who don't have the luxury of riding long distances on relatively smooth roads.

[@danfuerthgillis4483]

Dooya Punk I agree with you completely, I have 2 road bikes one with 23c tires and a cheaper road bike with 32c tires. There is no doubt the 32c tire bike is more comfortable. I lower the air pressure on the 32c tires to -15 psi off the tire rating. This allows for a more soft ride. It also helps cornering as there is more tire on the ground . Roads in Canada are probably the worst due to rough winters with the snow plows scrapping the snow off and salt on the roads. Road biking is not that great due to some nasty roads where you literally have to ride looking out 20 feet ahead of you so you won't crash.

[@SaintKimbo]

@@danfuerthgillis4483 Thanks Dan, I really think a 'Lauf' bike with a similar set up at the rear, would be my ideal bike, still light but with the ability to take out most of the road shock that makes urban riding a pain. No one would drive an F1 car, or any race car on the roads due to the fact that they minimize suspension travel for better handling, yet we ride rigid bikes and have been for ever !

[@winepanda]

@@SaintKimbo those sound like symptoms of improper bike and cleat fit

[@CristianCiupitu]

@@SaintKimbo if regular road bikes are painful, why don't you switch to a trekking bicycle with wider tires and a short travel suspension fork or even better, a cross-country bike, either a hardtail or a fullsuspension? I use a GT Avalanche in the city and while I'm losing some speed/efficiency, I'm enjoying the extra comfort and robustness provided by 2.25" tires. You could also be using a seat post or saddle that has integrated suspension.

[@SaintKimbo]

@@CristianCiupitu Yes, a XC bike with full suspension is on my radar, but my point, after watching this Lauf fork video is that, this type of fork would be ideal for a 'round town comfort bike, especially if they could fit something similar at the rear. There doesn't seem to be anything out there that fills this void, lightweight, without the stiction and weight of a telescopic set up, but still relatively comfortable. I think that this is where bike development is heading, Trek, Specialized and others are doing this already, with their frame lay up, stem suspension and seat post tech, and it will evolve to a point where bikes will be fast, light and much more comfortable without compromise. This is a market that Lauf should look into, comfort is one of the main selling points of recumbents and if you watch any video about recumbents, you'll see a whole lot of people saying how they are sick and tired of the aches and pains of regular bikes. I can't see any reason in 2018 that we can't have both comfort and speed, if rigid was the way to go, why does F1 and GP motorcycle racing spend squillions on short travel, fast acting, lightweight suspension systems?

[@tedaltoft1410]

Great video keep up the amazing work!

[@c.mccracken]

imagine this as rear sus... love their progress, good mindset

[@danielcruz9569]

10:07 My God Si, that escalated quickly

[@natbarmore]

I'd love to see Lauf bring this technology to stems. They could create something like the old Softride stems, but with materials that won't really wear out over time. And then you wouldn't need a special fork, could use whatever brakes you want, whatever handlebar you want, etc. It would be awesome for touring and commuting bikes.

[@gcn]

That's a really cool idea, wonder whether they've thought about it...

[@thormusique]

That looks like one sweet bike! Thanks for the vid, Gents!

[@NasserCyrax]

There is an old military car - GAZ67 which has the same principle on the front springs. There It was done not because of good life. But here it looks very well, solid and modern.

[@cheesusslice7342]

I would use those on a grave bike then go Whistler downhill park and SEND IT

[@Dennis4523]

CHEESUS SLICE I don’t think you can shred it on a grave yard

[@CyberCreeper22]

Imagine sending crabapple with thoses forks

[@Lendalas]

Grave bike lol, aptly named.

[@vedhed21]

I was just at that pub! If only I'd known Lauf was just upstairs.

[@service_andrew]

Молодцы ребята вам респект вы молодцы никогда не останавливайтесь на достигнутом и новом

[@criggie]

I do like all the Kit in the KITchen !

[@htcarieh]

Beautiful engineering

[@sureshchinnappa2290]

Lauf, what a great team!

[@bhumiriady]

Fantastic video as usual! The Lauf forks looks amazing and innovative! I like it!

[@RACEMASTERyEAH]

The next logical step would be rear suspension :)

[@AvaPxiaO]

It is like a honda C/CA fork from the 60s with new materials and axle moves in parallel to the head tube axis, instead of radially. The more this flexes the geometry changes slightly (trail). If tuned right at maximum cornering it can be sharp and slow under heavy loading. I wonder if a lighter (smaller springs) little travel version can find its way on road bikes. For endurance racing, when roads can be bumpy especially when cornering down a mountain, this may increase precision and control, where otherwise the tire is bumping up in the air from hump to hump. What about s-glass/kevlar hybrids for the fibers? And what about having inserts wedged between the leaves for dampening of the motion. Another idea would be to be able to add or subtract leaves, increase or decrease the length of them, to alter the characteristics for different terrain. Very nice project with potential for more development and future.

[@bruhmaxxer]

I think you are thinking about a carbon fiber fork. They have just enough flex to dampen the bumps in the road

[@roberte1890]

Man... I really liked the facial expression while trying to bend the leaf springs LOL.. same face I make on the toilet while constipated for three days ;-) anyway thanks for the segment.. been thinking about buying a Lauf fork for my gravel grinder..

[@donmichigan8201]

Interesting, looks like a great place to work. Surly has had bottle openers on their rear dropouts for a long time. I've got a 26" 1x1 that is very old,has one. I could use this fork on so called paved roads here in Michigan.

[@JohnBatty]

Si's self professed lack of hammering technique overshadowed by his complete lack of beer competence at the end; Don't watch it going to waste. Get your chops round it man!

[@victorvillar9576]

Im tired of my bike maintenance , i appreciate this and also mineral oil breaks.

[@LuisManuelHdez]

I rock one of these on a hard tail lynskey. It's great for XC trails and I weight around 210-230 most of the time. Not meant for hardcore trails but can still handle fairly rough ones if u are skilled. It does suffer from a little flex at the axle which takes time to get used to.

[@meinblubber]

13:21 frame mounted bottle opener - next level.

[@jeffreywilliams3646]

An Icelandic company? Must be LEIF springs.

[@geoffreyanderson4719]

Ya they really missed the chance on this one, with the LIEF name.

[@salvararonkolbrunarson7734]

Lauf meins Leaf and in Icelandic Lief's name is Leifur

[@deusexaethera]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAno

[@geoh1896]

@@salvararonkolbrunarson7734 What does Leifur mean?

[@helgibergfridtjofsson3237]

@@geoh1896 Leifur is a male name... and an old nordic one. Leifur Eiríkson was the first Viking in Iceland. www.nordicnames.de/wiki/Leifur

[@isaactrockman4417]

ive ridden a fat bike with a lauf fork. it was pretty amazing... very light, very expensive

[@LegSpinna]

0:45 LOOK OUT!!!!! LOOK OUT!!!!!

[@recklessrickey9513]

CnE JOHN CENA

[@evelasq1]

I like the front suspension system for the gravel bikes. I would love to have their bikes.

[@lycz2083]

that surely is a unique & cool bike!

[@WalterRafael]

Very cool bike and forks. Nice vid; enjoy all your vids. If I'm ever in England I'd love to bump into one of ya'll! haha good day.

[@CurdPattysRoll]

But how will this fork work under racks pressing? Because gravel its also about bikepacking and stuff

[@jesusenriqueriveratellez531]

The future of bikes!!

[@mukunzahoffmann639]

love the vid

[@byoffer]

I like that they have a bunch of KIT hanging in the KITchen.

[@patrickmazza1]

The SR Suntour Swing Shock works for me.

[@wangdangdoodie]

......and me. If only it could lose some weight!

[@aitorbleda8267]

Amazing technology and way way better than telescopic for the purpose.

[@cup_and_cone]

This tour was surprisingly interesting. I always wondered how they layered the pockets for the leaf springs.

[@lennyharp]

This is great engineering!

[@Quevallyn]

So is working at Lauf now second choice for all cyclists if they can’t get a job on GCN? Such chilled guys (pun fully intended). Great film to go with all the other excellent Iceland content.

[@humbertoleandro896]

That was a very cool video! Loved it.

[@davidvonslingshot]

I’m using the carbonara fatbike fork. Takes the edge off nicely

[@FhargaZ]

Love it, always welcome new ideas...that seem to work 🙂

[@caperider1160]

Interesting innovation

[@jamesmerkel9442]

Seems u guys could hve a seat post leaf spring design as well, that is also no maintenance indestructibly elegant also.

[@johnoconnor3880]

Simon, this looks like an absolutely marvelous device!...one thing that I would like to see is device, is a "rubber-boot" over the leaf springs...sort of like an H-D motorbike would have over the fork tubes...this is a bit "cosmetic" perhaps, however it would definitely add to the "cool-factor", as the leaf springs have an odd appearance to my eye...jo'c

[@Hermod_Hermit]

Would love a set for my touring bike, for all those days when it is not used for touring but for commuting or just whooshing around town.

[@manitolas]

Looks great!! Yeah I want one on my xc ,:)

[@disafear3674]

Really cool idea!

[@JayGee6996]

Given they're for use on gravel, it would probably be wise to cover the openings with something like a neoprene sock to stop debris getting trapped between the leafs

[@8paolo96]

That frame really looks like a giant tcr from 5 years ago, btw, really good concept for an easy suspension, it's just the look and the angle of the form that don't seem right at first glance

[@DugganSean]

Love my fat Lauf on my Surly ICT, lightweight, zero maintaining required and it works

[@wandet5]

Beautiful fork!

[@Shredice7]

Saw this at gamma td bike shop in Scotland. Really neat forks

[@crocodilecrox3758]

Awesome tech and as far as i understood this suspension is more sensitive and doesnt transfer the shock to the handlebar or the rim. Interesting and correct me if im wrong here

[@frorton_9170]

Man this is so interesting

[@curvanord9784]

great job...i love it

[@korup7ion951]

i wonder if they would be able to apply the same idea to rear suspension as well, a full suspension gravel bike sounds good to me

[@Pratalax]

Now i'm gonna go back and listen to Ben Delaney say "Don't lauf at my fork!"

[@texrgb]

Looks great, very interesting idea

[@jamesmerkel9442]

the crank arms should b a long & short arm w/pivot pnt & wide peddle that has 2 crank arm connection pnts. Stronger when in keeping w/wt transfer & length of leg along peddle stroke while still keeping full connection peddle & foot thru full circle.

[@PaddleAsia]

It's as if Dr. Sheldon Cooper was into cycling and came from an actual First World country. Wonderful video! You won me over PRIOR to the bottle opener. :-)