As you may (or may not) know I'm a big fan of Lauf forks
My Fat Carbonara fork
My 29er Trail Racer
Well for my new "gravel/adventure" (I hate those names) bike that I've sorted out to arrive in June is perfect timed for these new 30mm bump absorbing ride of the all new Lauf Grit fork.
Fingers crossed I can get one before the planned August delivery date.
I saw these posted on Instagram today, must say I fancy a set. Would need to buy a new frame to go with mind, mines 1-1/8 straight.
I am off to Iceland in July, might email them re a visit. Wonder if I could get a set from the factory to bring home!?
Just ordered a Lauf for my 29er. Looks like the least worst compromise for long distance self-sufficient trail rides. Light, no maintenance and reduces hand battering. Who cares what it looks like?
I can't see how the "not being able to see it" argument adequately compensates for the decrease in steering accuracy, lack of damping, increase in head-angle under braking (30mm compression = approx 1 dregree, on a bike with already steep geometry), and an extra ~300g weight penalty
I was about to think 30mm of sus was daft, then I got a proper ride on a cannondale slate today. One of those brilliant bikes that works as a system. Proper foot-out hooner. Locked it out and it was still fun but not quite the same.
I'm of an age (or attitude, not sure which it is) whereby I've only ever ridden rigid bikes from a 531 framed Dawes Ranger (in 'gate' size) with a wheelbase as long as the QE2, in the 80s)...
Makes me think I should maybe try this new fangled suspension sometime, not least, so I could add more to the discussion than just the ramblings of a rigid only rider...
I do have fond memories of selling flex stem equipped bikes working in a Halfords as a student....
Not so much a gravel grinder.... more a gravel (mud and tarmac) groveller...
Not 'cos of the ride, the design or construction quality, the finish or the colour scheme.
In fact I've never even ridden any*. What I love is how cross the make Ian and (mainly) Greg, any mention and you know the rainbow puking leprechaun is coming
Thinking about 30mm forks, I seem to remember that what DH bike had back in the day - it was progress then! Even with shitty elastomers. I could see (properly controlled) very short travel working in some situations. But I like my Niner carbons and a SemiPlus front rim/tyre at 12psi
* Acually I may have ridden a set on Johns bike round the car park when we met up for a rided in the peak a while back. But not enough to form a view on how they ride.
Don't get me wrong, they don't make me cross - it's a bit of light jesting with John (who is actually quite good at just ignoring it)
From an engineering perspective pushing the development/ application of a specific material, great. I see some advantages, but also disadvantages; for me the latter outweighing the former.
[quote="johnnystorm"]What makes me cross is when what is clearly a vomiting Gnome gets called a Leprechaun.
Look at the hats people. [/quote
Oh no I've not only opened a different can of worms but I'm also guilty of making the racist assumption that as Greg is Irish it must have been a Leprechaun. In my defense I'm not particular well up on mythical creatures and some of my friends are irish...
And Ian I see what you did there - hats to you sir
