Lauf Forks from Iceland have been a controversial addition to bicycle suspension. Very unique looking, lightweight, and minimalist, they draw reactions of either “no way would I ride that” or “that is exactly what I have been looking for”.
Lauf has been showing off their next model after the original TR29, and then adding the 27.5 version. The new GT29 stands for “Gravel and Travel”, intended for bikes like the Salsa Fargo that use drop bars for off road touring. The GT29 mostly has a stiffer spring to battle the greater percentage of body weight that is over the front wheel on these types of bikes, as well as any additional possible loads (gear) they would be carrying.
Read a bit more, as well as a leak from Lauf about a possible fat bike fork after the break…
People can choose between two different levels of stiffness based on riders weight and/or preference. Most current Lauf customers choose the stiffer version. Most of the customers are into racing, which is why they have chosen a sub 1,000g short-travel fork. A lot of people are still scared of the Lauf Fork because it looks different, but Lauf says the fact that it works so well in the terrain its designed to deal with it is picking up popularity fast.
We were recently able to talk to Lauf about the 3rd model coming from the Icelandic brand.
Runar from Lauf – What got us started in developing the Lauf GT29 was interest from Salsa and then gravel riders worldwide. We are almost done with development and going into production soon. The main difference from the Lauf TR29 (our XC/marathon fork) is that the Lauf GT is around 20% stiffer, based on the fact that one leans more forward on gravel bikes, the bikes weigh more, and the possible bag/load on the front might add a couple of pounds. We’ve been riding the Salsa Fargo a lot lately, and in fact all fell in love with it. Iceland has a lot of gravel roads and trails but we also just love to ride the Fargo …anywhere!
In that short conversation, he also let slip two small bits of info about their fourth product for the future – it is called the Carbonara, and it will be a fat bike fork. Being that fat bikes already have some movement in the tire, this may be a brilliant application of this unique design.
