Lauf Seigla Race Wireless

Before I took the Lauf Seigla Race Wireless on gravel that would really test its suspension fork, I rode it on quite a humble route. My first little zip was on the roads and pothole-riddled alleyways near our office. I just wanted to make sure everything was in working order. Still, I noticed the fork at work. Actually, at first it felt like the tire pressure was too low at the front, or at least much less than the back. But no. It was fine. That was just how the fork felt. Then, it wasn’t long before the “well that’s different” feeling disappeared into the background, much like the first time I rode Specialized’s Future Shock suspension in the head tube of its Roubaix.

The fork on the Seigla is Lauf’s third-generation Grit. It features fibreglass leaf springs that offer 30 mm of progressive travel. There’s no damping because, Lauf says, the short travel that gets stiffer throughout its stroke doesn’t need it. The design requires no extra maintenance. My bike was outfitted with 45c Maxxis Rambler tires but the fork has room for a 57-mm-wide tread. The Grit’s travel is similar to the RockShox Rudy Ultimate, which has 30 mm and 40 mm options, but less than the Fox 32 TC (40 and 50 mm). At 850 g, the Grit is 376 to 425 g lighter than the other two telescoping forks.

Lauf notes that the lower mass of its fork means your bike has less unsprung weight. That’s a good thing. Remember, unsprung weight is the mass of the stuff not supported by the suspension. On a standard hardtail front end, those parts would be the front wheel, tire, rotor and fork legs. The less unsprung weight your bike has, the smoother it will ride.

I found the Lauf Grit quite capable on small bumps, say in 2 to 4 cm range. No doubt, the wide tires helped, too. The biggest knocks the bike took was on a ride through Gatineau Park, near Ottawa. My friend showed me trails I hadn’t ridden before. He ran them easily on his rigid gravel bike with 40c tires. I might have been able to match his speeds on the rough stuff with a similar setup to his, but maybe not. The 30 mm of travel definitely made things easier on the unfamiliar trails. I did have one minor crash. My friend, ever helpful as he knew I was reviewing as I rode, suggested the fork might have inspired too much confidence. I disagreed. I went down not because I was doing something beyond the bike’s or my own ability. I crashed because I messed up. (Both the bike and I were fine.)

Another error I made with the bike was in selecting its size. My height is on the border of what Lauf recommends for sizes small and medium. The company says to go smaller for an aggressive fit or larger for a more relaxed upright fit. I went for a size small, which was too small. Lauf sells consumer direct, so the 30-day test period is a comfort.

Also, my fellow Canadians, when you shop for a Lauf, you’ll see the numbers in Yankee greenbacks instead of loonies. Frankly, the U.S. prices look pretty good: US$4,490 for a carbon-fibre frame with SRAM Force AXS, single-sided power meter and e-thirteen XCX Race Carbon wheels. The whole thing weighs 8.64 kg. At checkout, once you add taxes and shipping, and then convert to Canadian dollars, you’re looking at about $6,900—still a good amount of dough, but in the range of Canyon’s Grizl CF SLX 8 eTap Trail with a RockShox Rudy fork.

After my rides with the Lauf, I’d say the Grit fork feels more efficient on climbs than the Rudy. Ah, the fork. It seems to steal the show. It’s unique design and looks do draw your attention, but the bike as a whole is fun and great for bashing around tough gravel trails.

Lauf Seigla Race Wireless

Components SRAM Force AXS XPLR with 10-44 tooth cassette and 40-tooth crankset, SRAM AXS single-sided power meter, FSA V-Drive stem and Lauf Smoothie handlebar
Suspension Lauf Grit 3rd-gen Carbon fork with 30 mm of travel
Wheels e-thirteen XCX Race Carbon wheels with 45c Maxxis Rambler tires
Sizes XL, S, M, L, XL
Price US$4,490
Website laufcycles.com