The Icelandic Way - Lauf True Grit Gravel Bike

We built this Lauf True Grit gravel bike for a customer. They supplied some parts themselves and let us choose the rest. We take a close look at the quality of the frame, how it builds up and and show you what it is like to get your bike custom built by Mapdec.
This bike features:
Lauf Gen2 fork
Lauf True Grit Frame
Riders own DT Swiss Alu Wheel Set
Pirelli Cinturato Gravel 700x40c tyres. Hard rear, Soft Front
Lauf Handlebars
Lauf Bartape
SRAM Rival AXS XPLR groupset
10-44 cassette
40t 1x Crankset on 170mm cranks (DUB Wide)
BSA Bottom Bracket

[@sandswan]

This was, as you'd say, dead interesting. Thanks for posting a relaxed pace, fairly detailed bike build video with explanation. So many bike build videos are just pretty pictures with naff music. Really appreciate this content. Cheers!

[@Mapdec]

Thank you.

[@hevdread]

Ive owned a true grit for 3 years now and ive been waiting to have some one with the knowledge i dont have to have a look at these frames and do exactly what you've just done. I love my bike even more now that its had an outside once over and has been deemed legit well crafted instead of lazy well crafted. Cheers.

[@Mapdec]

Glad you enjoyed the vid from an owner perspective.

[@rejean2744]

Your description of Look's quality control, was my best laugh so far today.

[@lenolenoleno]

I have the Lauf Seifla and can confirm how well finished the frame is (especially given the price. The complete bike with a 1x Apex AXS groupset (includng a carbon handlebar/seatpost) is about 700 GBP cheaper than a Time ADHX frame alone.

[@dustyhoods]

Just noticed you're get better fit, looking ripped! I guess cycling does the job? That's why I love it - having fun and getting in shape 😊

[@gregbyrne7725]

Great walk-through (and talk-through) of a SRAM gravel build, thanks. Nice looking bike too.

[@neilk22]

Another interesting gravel option 🎉the Lauf fork has been around for a while now, important to note they come in different rider weight specific configurations. As much as I don’t like hoses running through headset bearings, the integrated look seems here to stay.

[@joelstads]

Good job Paul! You're becoming the most trustworthy and interesting bike channel for me.

[@Mapdec]

Wow, thanks!

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Thanks for posting this. I’d always been curious about Lauf and their unique suspension. Great to see a thorough walkthrough of it.

[@Mapdec]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@markrskinner]

Stunning bike. And what look like perfect handlebars.

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

Another nice build Paul. Lots of interesting details and the bars with that sweep back ,short reach and flare should be comfy. The forks remind me of Lawill leaders(leading linkage)but in reverse and leaf spring.

[@SoManyMiles]

Came here for the TIME ADHX, ended up wanting a Lauf for gravel rides AND a TIME ADHX as my all-roadie. 🙇🏻‍♂️ Great build video and nice insights. Really enjoyed your flow and details.

[@Mapdec]

awesome. That sounds like a great combo

[@markhall2733]

Love it. Great vid, would love to see a ride review to follow up. Sadly huge import taxes in the UK now they ship from USA. The new Seigla looks amazing.

[@tombola4046]

Agree on the import tax! Waiting to find one used so someone else has taken the hit

[@Mapdec]

I’ll let you know when our customer has made their tyres dirty.

[@deanf2259]

Hello Paul, I totally agree with you on the advice of spent your money on the best frame and wheels you can afford first and group set after. I have just got a Basso Palta gravel frame with Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels. I went for a Sram Rival AXS XLPR group set. The Rival is a fantastic group set for the money. The performance is amazing and looks great. I went for a 38 c/ring with the 10/44 cassette. Perfect for my type of riding , 70% road and 30% off road. Total convert to 1x. Never struggling for gear ratios at all.

[@Mapdec]

Sounds great. what a versatile machine.

[@valmorell]

The bottle opener is only needed for SPD cleats. If one uses Look or SPD SL cleats, the back edge of the cleat works just fine.

[@lenolenoleno]

SPD cleats work perfectly well as a bottle opener.

[@abhattal]

Know nothing about gravel bikes, but it looks nice. Interesting bike too, with that fork.

[@martinhotan8946]

and by the way - some of us still just LOVE front derailleurs - but we been through that before - right ... happily will show you around some of our Swiss Mountainside 😉

[@universe-juice]

If i had this bike i would also get a carbon fiber battle axe and mount it on my back. Like ragnar lothbrok. Would be handy with managing all these goblins and bridge trolls where i live.

[@Mapdec]

Carbon Battle Axe. I want one.

[@universe-juice]

@@Mapdec does somebody make those? If not we should talk 🤣

[@tomolonotron]

Casual conversation with Ashton Lambie! 😂

[@Mapdec]

Who knew?

[@aoe76]

The 10-44 needs a xdr freehub. Otherwise use a 10-50 mtb cassette it fits the xd freehub driver. A true mullet setup.

[@dude26600]

Nice build for sure... but now I really want a bottle opener on my bike !!!! 😅🍺

[@vilavg3657]

Great review - is the laud a good first bike? And is there any way to make the ride position more upright? Thanks

[@viestursermanis9071]

Like yours videos a lot 👍

[@Mapdec]

Thank you so much.

[@valmorell]

Brilliant that correctly finished frames can be bought. Just needs a little research and help from you guys.

[@UK-Cycling]

A beautiful bike. What a shame they don’t do a 165mm crank on their smallest frame size. Best regards Martin

[@davidmiller4775]

Looks like you have to be careful not to spill your beer 😊

[@P8qzxnxfP85xZ2H3wDRV]

With a magnetic routing set, you could make your life a lot easier.

[@Mapdec]

I think we have tried them all. None are very durable and last in a busy workshop. A gear cable, pick and surgical grips is still my favourite choice.

[@valmorell]

I had a similar shaped bar on my Revolt. Lovely to ride with but swapped it as I didn't like the way it looked. Think maybe I need professional help....

[@philr696]

Was that Ashton Lambie pursuit record holder replying?

[@Mapdec]

Maybe 🤔

[@byc1013]

Made in the marketing department mate

[@HD46409]

FYI to everyone. This bike has been replaced by the Seigla. I don't think it's available new anymore.

[@321bytor]

Does manufacturing in Iceland and the USA necessarily mean good quality then?

[@Mapdec]

I think it brings a more direct line of accountability which sharpens the mind a bit when it comes to QC.

[@mortlow6688]

i have a 9.5 kg gravel bike with reynolds 853 fullsuspension ...😁

[@jeffh7175]

As a bike shop I wonder how you feel about Canyon bikes.

[@Mapdec]

We have had a few on the channel.

[@martinhotan8946]

nicely pronounced - at least the fork is coming from China I gather - ordered the SL version a year ago - postal came from China ...👍

[@T80-h8t]

Ever worked on a Vielo?

[@Mapdec]

i dont think i have.

[@notpablo8369]

Wished they didnt phase out the True Grit/Anywhere

[@dariusvick1636]

Why does the thumbnail say “terrible bottle opener”?

[@Mapdec]

Oh. Have you not got to that part of the video

[@dariusvick1636]

Sure did. Slow motion of a beer bottle being opened.

[@Soviet_Elmo]

Such a nice bike. Why have you gone for the meh SRAM BB bearings 😪

[@Mapdec]

What would you choose for £45

[@veganpotterthevegan]

​@Mapdec I think most people with a $1000 fork would be willing to spent more than $45 on a bottom bracket. Obviously not everyone though

[@lenolenoleno]

@@veganpotterthevegan It's the DUB pressfit BBs that don't last (especially when pressed into most MTBs with a BB86/92 shell). SRAM DUB BSA bottom bracket is actually really good and on par with a solid Shimano Ultegra BB (which is a fantastic design). Have about 4,000km on my gravel bike (and I ride year round). The SRAM SUB BSA bb is still running very smooth. A Wheels MFG costs about 2-3x a SRAM DUB, BB Infinite cost about 4-5x a SRAM DUB. What Mapdec said: what would you choose?

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@@lenolenoleno they're really not that bad for most people, despite the design not being great on paper. 4000km is also meaningless and not many miles at all.

[@Soviet_Elmo]

@@Mapdec Hard to say because I don't know UK pricing. Usually I go for Rotor, maybe BBB cycling would also be an option. They make bottom brackets with sensible bearing sizes (standard 6805 for shimano, 6806/29 for SRAM; they use Enduro bearings I think?) as opposed to 30x40x7 which SRAM uses. Then it also makes sense to press in new bearings once the bearings are toast.

[@timtaylor9590]

those bbs are for baby watts

[@lenolenoleno]

The 10t on these cassettes are overrated. Where do you notice jumps in cadence the most? At higher speeds/cadences (essentially over your first 3-4 gears). SRAM XPLR cassette (10-44): 10-11-13-15 SRAM XPLR cassette (11-44): 11-12-13-15 Majority of people spend such a minute amount of time in their highest gear (you can track this in the AXS app, and even then the % of time in that gear is used is exaggerated as you are often just coasting down a hill in the 10T). This is exacerbated if legitimately using your bike on gravel, where loose surfaces are the limiter of speed on descents. With the Apex cassette you can the benefits of nice and tight 1t jumps across your first 3 cogs, which is the main complaint dyed-in-wool roadies have against 1x drivetrains.

[@Mapdec]

To be honest I have been using 1x so long now that I don’t even notice jumps in the gears. Human body and mind are amazingly adaptable

[@lenolenoleno]

@@Mapdec 100% agreed (x1 on all my bikes, MTB and Gravel). My comment was more to let people know that the additional costs associated with 10t cassettes (especially if you have an existing wheel with a HG freehub) isn't necessarily worth it (arguably disadvantageous) for road/gravel applications.

[@mgoo1713]

Convert the hub to star ratchet drive...

[@zackbaldman]

Loobtoobs are so hot right now

[@Mapdec]

If only they ever had stock, and shipped beyond Canada. They are just a collection of glue applicators and reusable syringes. It’s just a pain to buy all the bits in single packs. So we bought the bulk packs.

[@bromasi]

Overkill

[@harait]

i wanted a bottle opener of this type...thank you :D