No Shock, No Problems | Orbea Laufey H-LTD Hardtail MTB Review

The Laufey has been in the Orbea lineup for a while now, as the aggressive alloy hardtail aimed at capturing the fun side of mountain biking. For 2024, they’ve revised its design all over to maximize its performance and refine its looks. They even went to the trouble of giving it their LockR downtube storage system, helping to carry the essentials for your rides. We were interested to see how this fun-loving hardtail would perform on the local trails around Scotland. Read on or watch the video to find out how we got on.
Check out the written review here: theloamwolf.com/2024/03/08/re...
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[@ripapa6355]

I have a 2021 Laufey as my go to hardtail. It's probably my favourite bike (maybe tied with my fuel ex). I use it for downhill, aggro XC, and XC. It wants to go downhill, it wants to go fast. It carves with a thought and is so easy to ride through steep, fast, chunky tech. It's a very forward riding position when standing, and rewards you for being more aggressive in your attack (i.e. weight forward, over your bars). It suffers on really steep climbs, especially techy climbs with big roots or rocks, as the front end is really light and loosey goosey.

[@hardmtnbiker]

I completely get your point about the tires, especially from your perspective as a enduro rider that has a higher skill level on full suspensions. The design is very good for a Hardcore hardtail, and running inserts with 2.5 or 2.6” aggressive tires is what makes it more capable than most hardtail’s. Personally I like this category of hardtail’s and would consider this bike in a second for my aggressive trails

[@abelramos8983]

The appeal of the simplicity. Less is more (not the prices lol)

[@cphun2]

Thanks for this review. An Orbea Retailer. :)

[@TheLoamWolf]

You’re welcome!

[@DavorSND]

Hey, how does the hub sound like? Does it have a rattle?

[@ryanwilliams1025]

Not sure what’s wrong with the review, seemed fair to me. He says because of the geo it’s not the most playful bike, that’s affects any mtb ride (playful vs plower). I think the the huge thing with all hard tails is component choices because u don’t have the rear suspension to hide some of the weak points.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks Ryan! Components definitely make a big difference on HT's.

[@biker944]

Awesome

[@superawesomefuntimego]

Thanks for the honest review! Totally agree, $3000 for that build kit is a little excessive, especially in this current market where you can get thigs like Specialized Stumpy Evo Alloy with factory suspension, code brakes and GX for almost the same price on sale. Nicely selected parts, just $500 too much (at least). I do like some of the updates and it looks like a solid hardtail. It does seem like the 440mm chainstay is a bit long, I personally like them on the shorter side on my hardtails and the 77 degree seat tube might actually be a little on the steep side for a HT, considering hardtails have no suspension to compress like a full squish, but maybe it's great. The fox performance level forks are solid, but I agree, the do not offer the same level of feel and dampening as their Grip 2 offerings and it is pretty noticeable if you ride them back to back. I'd like to see them spec at least a EXO+ on the back for some added support, I will put nothing less than a DD on my Nukeprood Scout RS. EXO tires fold too easy when cornering hard and with no suspension in the back to compensate, that rock hard rear end only magnifies that problem.

[@iasha740]

My 2022 orbea laufey H30 cost me 970 (same frame as the 2023). I think it was like 1500-1600 for the H-LTD at the time. 3000 sounds too much for the newer upgraded frame, it is still a hardtail at the end of the day.

[@axt_messer_survival]

danke, das ist genau das, was ich auch kenne. ich habe mir das laufey mit den alten rahmen in ltd ausstattung gekauft. es fühlte sich unglaublich träge und schwer an, auch das thema mit der gabel kann ich nur bestätigen. A B E R es gab für mich keinen grund das ein HT mit dieser gemoetrie nicht sauber laufen sollte. ich entsorgte die beschissenen maxxis reifen in der mülltonne und siehe da, das laufey ist nicht wieder zu erkennen. flink wie ein typisches hardtail (und ich fahre seit 25 jahren nur hardtails), das ruppige indiffernte gefühl an der gabel ist verschwunden, die spurtreue ist zurück und auch uphill macht es wieder spass. es fühlt sich wie ein total anderes bike an. das laufey und die fox gabel vertragen sich NICHT mit den dumpfen maxxis reifen. die schuld daran trägt orbea, indem sie diese reifen mit dem rollwiderstand eines panzers an das fahrrad montieren. interessant ist auch, das sie beim neuen modell den gleichen unfug wieder machen, obwohl es schon vorher nicht funktioniert hat. sieht man sich die unterschiedlichen bike modelle bei orbea an, egal ob HT, hinauf bis zum den enduro modellen, sieht man überall das gleiche problem, erst wenn die listenpreise über 5000 euro steigen finden sich kaum noch maxxis als serienbereifung. reifenempfehlung für alle laufey fahrer (schwalbe wicked will super trail 2.6 und alle probleme sind beseitigt. besten dank das du den mut gehabt hast endlich mal zu sagen was sache ist. (abo da gelassen)

[@luciandavidoni4229]

Bought one Orbea Laufey HT on December when price dropped to 1500 Euro [2023 model comes with Marzocchi bomber 140mm], upgraded the breaks to 4 pot XT and 203 rotors [front&rear]. for what I want this bike its perfect, longer rides/climbs and still safe on descends. ps I would not want a more slacker HT

[@sepultubob]

Same here, 1490€ for a 2023 H10. At that price I couldn't really get more. SLX derailleur, marzocchi Bomber, I'm very happy with the bike. A little heavy for climbing compared to my old 26er. But downhill it's a whole new world for me !

[@grumpyoldjohnny]

Same here.

[@ola95003]

This out of my budget. But is this frame same has the h30 or h10? Also would a h30 or h10 better than a stoic 2 or 4? 2024

[@grumpyoldjohnny]

I'd say the review sounds like: if you're not already riding an Enduro and want to get into more rough stuff and still use the bike as your daily get this. Or something like this. Pros might get disappointed. Quite fair. 👍

[@DavorSND]

How does the hub sound? Does it have a nice rattle? I am really wondering about that before buying it

[@Shralps]

A nice rattle?

[@GodEmperorofDune1986]

This one or the Trek Roscoe?

[@thomaxpokemon69.-_]

The weight?

[@paulfraley7990]

I’ve got a FOX fork with that lever. The fork absolutely locks out, not all do. I like the less discrete settings and I’ve never accidentally brushed against it. Having said that, the spec is a little overpriced.

[@promtb]

I think the Cannondale Habit HT1 offers more value for the money!

[@govermentsoundsystem]

We can tell you don't like hardtails 😁😆

[@TheLoamWolf]

That's not entirely true, they have their merits! Just the local terrain isn't the most hardtail friendly.

[@MightyFireL]

Suggesting buying an Occam in the Laufey review is kind of funny 😅

[@marksandoval5361]

Seemed rather odd to use a reviewer that admittedly doesn't like or ride hardtails and then only took a few rides to then give a poor review of this bike. DO BETTER.

[@TheLoamWolf]

THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK. What did you think was poor about the review?

[@marksandoval5361]

@@TheLoamWolf If I was choosing someone to review hardtails, I would pick someone that might have these qualities. 1. Likes hardtails. 2. Frequently rides a hardtail. 3. Has ridden many different hardtails. 4. Someone who understands that hardtails come in many categories from an XC to Enduro Hardtails. You can't ride an Aggressive hardtail and expect it to handle like a BMX bike. 5. Someone who will give the bike many rides. 6. A more average height and weight person. In my experience, "Big and Tall" seldom like hardtails.

[@KiwiInGermanyMTB]

You are a tool​@@marksandoval5361

[@chrism5768]

90% of the negitive that he said was related to poor spec in his and my opinion. He at one point calls it a "killer hardtail" seems you need to LISTEN MORE....

[@sepultubob]

@@marksandoval5361 Yes but it's interesting to have a wide variety of feedbacks. Not just from hardtail gurus. And secondly he's just honest, that's what we want, and the review didn't feel that negative to me.

[@Chasingghosts23]

So... Is it just me or was this not the best review, not much on compliance over certain terrain ect just alot of focus on the Maxxis tyres 😂😂 and components 😂😂😂