Lauf Fork review

[JohnClimber]

Ok, so I'll never get a job as a bike reviewer and my English is nothing special but as a lot of us on here ride rigid bikes I thought I'd let you know how I got on with my new Lauf Forks
http://laufforks.com/



Blog here
http://johnclimber.com/2015/03/14/comfy ... stercross/

They really do take out the trail buzz out of riding with a rigid fork, I can't wait for my Fat version of these to arrive for my new Fat Bike build next month.

[JohnClimber]

Here's a couple of minute video filmed on a selfie stick fixed to the dropped bars.

It shows it in action over a couple of 18" drops and on the typical gravel roads that we ride our rigid bikes on.

It really does "Absorb the Ride", 100 miles of comfort on it's Titanuim frame and brooks saddle over this weekend

Click here for the clip
https://vimeo.com/122250369

Is this any use to anyone?

[Ian]

Interesting video, John. How was the fork when climbing normally out of the saddle? Unlike other conventional suspension forks where you can lock them out, you obviously can't with this one.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Very interesting John.

What's the theoretical travel, 50mm or so?

Do they have some kind of 'bump-stop' to prevent them damaging themselves if you do something a little stupid?

[JohnClimber]

When climbing I didn't find any problems at all with bobbing but you will notice the top of the wheel moving side to side about 5 to 10mm either way when really going for it but the forks can take it. It just a bit un nerving to start with.

Yes there is a bump stop which I think I hit in the freeze frame it's at 60mm.

The main thing I noticed was how smooth it was over washboard type gravel roads.

I think I'll take it loaded on my next bike packing trip to see how it is fully loaded.

If anyone fancies a test ride I'm more then happy to let anyone have a go, I'm based in the North West

[slparsons]

Interesting change from regular fork design. Is there a finite life on the carbon spring elements?

[JohnClimber]

Interesting change from regular fork design. Is there a finite life on the carbon spring elements?

The leaf (Lauf) springs are Glass Fibre and Lauf give them a 5 year guarantee but if they go wrong after this Lauf claim that they will help you out.
http://laufforks.com/lauf-trail-racer/

And they weigh less than a KG when your steerer is cut down and on better scales

[mountainbaker]

I just don't get these forks. Solving a problem that isn't there. No Lockout. Lateral wheel-flex, and $1000!

[Ian]

I just don't get these forks. Solving a problem that isn't there. No Lockout. Lateral wheel-flex, and $1000!

Yeah but..., no air/oil/seals to leak, no servicing required and being best part of 2lbs lighter than regular sus forks are distinct advantages. Possibly have better small bump response than air forks too?
(Just being Devils advocate)

John, look forward to hearing how the movement of the front wheel affects tracking through rocky/ more technical ground, or traversing cross slopes, etc. I couldn't see me justifying one just to ride "smooth" gravel roads?

[mountainbaker]

Ian, you have a point. Maybe it's mostly the aesthetics that I don't like. I'm sure it's good that people are thinking of alternatives to air/oil forks, just not sure it's ever going to take off.

Like this

[TheBrownDog]

Nice vid here. Im sure this bloke could ride an ironing board down a mountain but it does show the fork working really well. Some of the bike mags gave the fork a bit of a ragging, but I doubt they were using it as intended.

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/lauf-trail ... -2015.html

[JohnClimber]

but I doubt they were using it as intended.

You're not wrong there.

If you are happy with your air forks then DON'T down grade to these.

If you're happy with rigid forks DON'T upgrade to these.

But if you ride rigid bikes and like them but want to take the "trail buzz" out of XC riding over longer rides then Lauf Forks are your answer.

As their tag line says they really do "absorb the ride"
Pair them up with a nice titanium frame and you've a comfy XC hardtail bike for life

[JohnClimber]

Ian, I'll have it down at Battle in the Beach this weekend near you, if your there give me a shout for a ride on it

[Ben98]

I like the idea, but it seems like a little too much travel for their intended purpose, perhaps 30-40mm of travel would be enough for absorbing buzz, while being less flexible and less bouncy?

[Joshvegas]

I would also like a wee peak at the beach!

I am surprised the wheel flexes that much!

[Matt]

Girvin Flexstem?

[Bearbonesnorm]

From an engineering perspective telescopic forks are actually quite poor. Their reaction to braking effects the suspension and both braking and suspension movement effect the geometry ... in part the move towards slacker head angles was a result of increasing fork travel.

The motorcycle world has tried just about every alternative you can imagine, some were dire while others worked very well but they never (and probably never will) take off because they're expensive / ugly / not what people are used to.

I'm always a little surprised this was never better accepted.

[Ian]

I never rode a USE fork, but always thought they looked a good concept.

Although the design was to try and reduce the effect of the fork diving under braking, wasn't the effect sometimes that under heavy braking, it locked out/ adversely inhibited the travel?

Interesting point though - John, how does the Lauf perform under braking? Is it inclined to dive a bit?

Another feature of the Lauf that occurred to me is the low unsprung weight compared to telescopic forks. Perhaps helping its small bump response.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Another feature of the Lauf that occurred to me is the low unsprung weight compared to telescopic forks. Perhaps helping its small bump response.

You've also no stiction to overcome (or damping circuit) which would make a big difference in that department.

[mountainbaker]

I had a USE fork for a few years (drunk ebay bargain purchase). It was OK. If it had air/oil internals, it could have been so much better, but it was a sping/air jobby, and I never could get it dialed in right. It didn't dive much, which was really nice, but under heavy braking, it did twist, you could see the front wheel warping away from the direction of the corner quite a bit. Not ideal.

I ended up selling it for more than I paid for it though, so that was a result!

[Blackhound]

Thanks for that review John, still seriously considering for my even more aged bones. Was it ok with steady climbing in and out of the saddle? You mentioned more aggressive climbing but when you are just winching up is all OK?

What appeals to me is what Ian was suggesting would be the advantages, no servicing and light weight whilst giving a bit of a relief from the terrain.

[JohnClimber]

John, how does the Lauf perform under braking? Is it inclined to dive a bit?

I've no idea to be honest I didn't notice it over the weekend even on the few techy bits or local trail centre that I rode but I don't think I slammed on at any time and it's just gone dark outside now.
I'll bicycle up the handlebar Heath Robinson camera holder thing when I get a few minutes and when it's daylight, then have a go filming it in the street for you.

[JohnClimber]

Thanks for that review John, still seriously considering for my even more aged bones. Was it ok with steady climbing in and out of the saddle? You mentioned more aggressive climbing but when you are just winching up is all OK?

It didn't bob at all when climbing when seated or in a low gear, in fact it was so light on the front on one steep bit I had to shift forward in the saddle to keep it down on the ground

What appeals to me is what Ian was suggesting would be the advantages, no servicing and light weight whilst giving a bit of a relief from the terrain.

It ticks all these boxes for sure, happy to give you a test ride if you're in the North West any time soon

[Bearbonesnorm]

Will you be bringing it to the WRT for people to have a look at John?

[JohnClimber]

Will you be bringing it to the WRT for people to have a look at John?

I was thinking about bringing the 29er+ but think this does need showing to the people who matter, so yes I will of course, line up for an early morning test ride.