The all-new Lauf True Grit carbon gravel bike is built for speed and distance around Lauf’s revamped, straighter, and stiffer “Grit SL” carbon leaf spring fork…

In case you didn’t notice, Lauf Forks — known for their curious looking leaf spring forks — is now Lauf Cycling. The subtle shift earlier this summer hinted that the Icelandic company aimed to expand beyond just the fork market. And as of Friday Lauf has fully realized their new brand with the introduction of a bicycle to their product line. The Lauf True Grit is a light and fast carbon gravel frame designed around their revamped, straighter legged version of the leaf spring Grit gravel suspension fork. True Grit comes in several build kits as well as a frame/fork combo. Find details about the new bike, plus pricing and availability below…

Lauf True Grit Carbon Gravel Bike
  • Lauf True Grit Carbon Gravel Bike
  • Lauf True Grit Carbon Gravel Bike
Lauf True Grit Carbon Gravel Bike
  • Lauf True Grit Carbon Gravel Bike
  • Lauf True Grit Carbon Gravel Bike
  • Lauf True Grit Carbon Gravel Bike

In Lauf’s words: Having spent the last few years studying gravel bikes and gravel riding, in a way, the Lauf True Grit is something that “just happened”. In the beginning, it was a question of “How our Lauf forks could best complement gravel bikes?”. That question soon developed into “What are the optimal parameters for our forks and gravel bikes to work together?”. Which then eventually became “What would be the ultimate gravel bike?”. In the end, we simply couldn´t resist making the gravel bike of our dreams.

In essence, Lauf wanted this dream bike to be a long-distance, race-oriented gravel bike; one that would be equally happy on a ride such as the Dirty Kanza as it would on a mixed terrain overnighter. In the last couple of years several bikepackers — including Tour Divide winners Lael Wilcox and Josh Kato — have expressed approval of Lauf’s forks for their weight savings and their ability to smooth out the washboards on long routes such as the GDMBR. Such street cred, in addition to the speed and distance-worthy claims made by Lauf, might make the new True Grit particularly interesting for those interested in a bike for big gravel rides and all-road style bikepacking.

KEY FEATURES

  • 3x bottle cage mounts + Bento box mount on the top tube for bolt on top-tube bag.
  • The long toptube paired with a short-ish stem, low headtube and a slack head angle offer a low and aerodynamic position with stability at high speeds and in rough terrain.
  • The Beer Or Gear front derailleur design, allows multiple drivetrain options and on 1×11 drivetrains, the True Grit comes with a bottle opener where a front derailleur would otherwise be.
  • In-N-Out Cabling design allows the rear derailleur cable and rear disc brake hose to have entry points at the headtube and exits where need be.
  • 45mm 700c tire clearance, with ample room for the elements.
  • Midnight Blue Matte and Cream White Matte are the standard color options, while several other premium colors will be offered at an upcharge.

TECH SPECS

  • 68mm BSA Threaded Bottom Bracket for durability and ease of maintenance.
  • 27.2mm seat post.
  • Tapered Headtube, 1 1/8” to 1.5”.
  • 425mm chainstays.
  • 142x12mm through axle rear end, and a flat-mount for disc-brakes.
  • Lauf Grit SL Fork, with 30mm travel and 15x100mm through-axle.

What does the frame weigh? 1070g for a size M frame in Midnight Blue, including front and rear derailleur hangers.

Lauf True Grit Carbon Gravel Bike
  • Lauf True Grit Carbon Gravel Bike
  • Lauf True Grit Carbon Gravel Bike

Lauf True Grit, Weekend Warrior, 1×11

The new Lauf True Grit gravel bike is available now in three builds ranging from $3690 to $6390, and frame and fork only for $2,690. There are also further discounts available for those willing to wait 12 weeks. The True Grit can be purchased through current Lauf distributors and at LaufCycling.com. Here are the details of the $3690 ‘Weekend Warrior’ build.

  • Frame True Grit, 12x142mm through-axle
  • Fork Lauf Grit SL, 15x100mm through-axle
  • Handlebar Easton EC70 AX Carbon
  • Rear Derailleur SRAM Rival 1
  • Front Derailleur Lauf Bottle Opener
  • Shifters SRAM Rival 1
  • Brakes SRAM Rival 1 Flat mount (160mm rotor front and rear)
  • Crank SRAM S350 42t
  • Saddle WTB Volt Pro / Deva Pro
  • Seatpost FSA SL-K 27.2mm
  • Wheels American Classic AM28/Terrain, tubeless ready
  • Tires Maxxis Rambler 40c EXO/TR 120TPI
  • Stem Easton EA70
  • Headset FSA Orbit, IS 42/52 (45° lower bearing)
  • Bartape Easton Pinline
  • Cassette SRAM 1130, 11-42t
  • Chain SRAM 1130
  • Bottom bracket SRAM GXP XR 68mm
  • Weight Medium Midnight Blue tubeless: 8.9kg/19.6lbs
Lauf True Grit Carbon Gravel Bike, Grit SL

The New Grit SL Fork

Since Lauf started exploring a bicycle to marry to with their Grit fork, they were no longer designing just a fork, but a bike and a fork together. As a result, they created a True Grit specific redesign of the well-received Grit fork. Ultimately the new fork uses 7mm shorter springs with, according to Lauf, no impact on durability or performance. The result is the new Grit SL. It has an integrated 1.5” crown race and has gained further lateral and fore/aft stiffness, while also losing around 50g. It also looks quite different and has lines a little more accustomed to a traditional fork, which might appease anyone who was concerned with the looks. The new Grit SL will accompany the existing Grit fork in the Lauf product family.

In Lauf’s words: At the core of True Grit is the Lauf Grit SL, with its 30mm of front suspension – the thing that changed how gravel riding is perceived, now taken to the next level. It’s more compact, lighter and stiffer (laterally and fore/aft) than the standard version. Grit SL has superb small bump performance and maintains traction and control like no other. Making the ride more comfortable, with zero maintenance.

For more information, visit LaufCycling.com.

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