Lauf True Grit SRAM XPLR Edition in review – the gravel hardtail compared with 5 other bike concepts

The Lauf True Grit gravel bike and its SRAM XPLR groupset enter our concept comparison of mountain bikes and gravel bikes. How wide is the Lauf’s range of applications really and can the latest bike tech help to create a coherent overall package? Here’s our test.

You can find out more about at laufcycling.com

First things first: the Lauf True Grit SRAM XPLR Edition isn’t currently available directly from Lauf. For our test, this gravel bike is nevertheless indispensable, as it represents a bike concept that will be increasingly relevant in the future and is also one of the few frames that is currently compatible with the complete SRAM XPLR collection. What’s more, the frame and all the components are available separately – so you could build it up to match what you see here.

Lauf True Grit SRAM XPLR Edition in detail

Let’s start at the front with the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR suspension fork, which can’t be fitted to just any gravel bike due to its axle-to-crown distance of between 425 and 435 mm (30 mm or 40 mm suspension travel, respectively). On standard gravel bikes with rigid forks this measurement is just 390–395 mm. If you install the Rudy suspension fork on such a gravel bike, you’ll end up changing the geometry of the bike enormously. So, before any conversion of this sort, we strongly recommend checking the compatibility of your suspension fork and frame. This won’t just save you from a strange ride, but also from possible damage or even forfeiting your warranty. That said, the fork is compatible with the BMC URS LT and the Canyon Grizl from our test field. Despite generous tire clearance of up to 700 x 50C, the fork’s design language reminds some testers of trekking bike suspension forks from the 90s. However, technologically, it offers all the advantages of a fully fledged mountain bike suspension fork thanks to its adjustability and features. The brand new SRAM XPLR AXS Rival shifting group relies on 12 gears, a 42 t chainring and a 10–44 t cassette. Its shifting performance is solid, the shifting logic very intuitive and it’s also easy to adjust via an app. Under the saddle, the new RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper post with 75 mm travel comes into play. Inside, a completely air-based system is used instead of the usual hydraulic circuit.

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The dropper post, with air only internals and built-in ActiveRide damping, is completely rigid when fully extended, and can be lowered by 50 or 75 mm depending on the installation length. In our case, all it takes is a simultaneous press on both paddle shifters. If you are between the completely extended or retracted state, the air only internals have built-in compliance – basically a suspension seat post, which can be adjusted to suit the weight of the rider via its air pressure. Thanks to the standard 27.2 mm diameter, it will fit many bikes and merge seamlessly into the SRAM AXS ecosystem. 700 x 40C Zipp G40 XPLR tires are mounted on the Zipp 303 S wheels. Adding up all the prices, we arrive at a sum of roughly € 5,750. Our test bike in size L weighs 9.82 kg.

With the exception of steep uphills, the Lauf doesn’t display any significant weaknesses.

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	480 mm	520 mm	542 mm	565 mm	595 mm
Top Tube	542 mm	551 mm	571 mm	591 mm	611 mm
Head tube	90 mm	105 mm	133 mm	164 mm	196 mm
Head angle	70.5°	70.5°	70.5°	70.5°	70.5°
Seat angle	72.5°	72.5°	72.5°	72.5°	72.5°
Chainstays	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm
BB Drop	65 mm	65 mm	65 mm	65 mm	65 mm
Wheelbase	1,009 mm	1,020 mm	1,040 mm	1,061 mm	1,084 mm
Reach	421 mm	435 mm	456 mm	477 mm	498 mm
Stack	559-601 mm	576-620 mm	605-651 mm	636-685 mm	668-719 mm

The Lauf gravel bike in review: our impressions

Due to its weight, the Lauf is comparatively sluggish when getting going. But once you have reached cruising speed, there is no other bike concept in the test field that offers the same high speed efficiency in as many situations. However, up steep climbs, the rider sometimes runs out of energy, because the gear range doesn’t live up to the versatile bike concept. A mullet drivetrain setup with an Eagle AXS MTB rear derailleur and cassette with a huge 520% range would fit much better here. Due to their limited compliance, the Zipp 303 Aero wheels don’t immediately seem to fit a bike with a suspension fork well, but their performance makes sense in this context, especially over long distances and at higher speeds.

With sufficient other sources of comfort on the Lauf, they do not have to have a lot of compliance, but contribute the necessary directness and precision to the bike’s handling. In general, the handling of the Lauf is predictable and pleasantly smooth, especially at higher speeds. At very low speeds, the front tends to dive a bit into corners, however, compared to the Fustle Causeway TRIAL or BMC Twostroke, significantly less so. The suspension fork response is defined, predictable and adjustable. Even on the road, you can adjust the suspension fork setup to suit your personal preferences and changing situations with very little effort. The fork provides an obvious increase in comfort and effectively saves you energy, especially on long rides. Bottoming out is hardly noticeable and the fork always feels like it can offer suspension travel in technical and hectic situations. However, due to that high feeling of safety, caution is advised with regard to the tires. This is because the air pressure of the Zipp G40 tires needs to be chosen wisely due to their limited volume: at low air pressures, the risk of tire damaging punctures is quite high, because thanks to the performance of the suspension fork, you won’t notice the increasing intensity of rough hits and can end up overestimating the margin you have left. Unfortunately, the Lauf can’t accommodate more voluminous rubber – it would only be possible at the front, if at all.

Overall, the Lauf provides a high level of comfort. The carbon frame offers a lot of compliance and the components expand on that further. Compared to a conventional gravel bike, you stay fresh longer and have more energy left to pedal. The Reverb AXS dropper post is the decisive element at the rear. Fully extended, it is completely rigid and while its 75 mm travel isn’t massive, it’s sufficient for this concept. Moreover, our testers are thrilled by the ActiveRide damping! On root carpets or longer rough sections in particular, it offers a considerable comfort boost when sitting. Unfortunately, the suspension design results in changes of the saddle height by up to 15 mm. This and the clear increase in weight are clear trade-offs compared to a standard seatpost. Nevertheless, all our testers are big fans!

Tuning tip: SRAM AXS mullet drivetrain setup with a 10–52 t Eagle cassette

The perfect application for the True Grit

The range of applications of the Lauf is ultimately not quite as trail-heavy as you might think. Instead, its main discipline is high speed gravel riding of all kinds, with some additional reserves on the trail. Overall, the Lauf’s bike concept offers the widest range of uses of the test field and is suitable for everything from asphalt (without racing), to gravel highways, loose gravel, forest paths and trails (without jumps). Only when slopes get steep there are better bikes in the comparison test due to the limited gear ratio for climbing. Even though the weight doesn’t make it the liveliest bike in the test, it can compensate for this with its sheer versatility.

Lauf True Grit SRAM XPLR Edition conclusion

The Lauf True Grit in this SRAM XPLR build is not a border crosser, but a bridge builder and connects the all-road, gravel and mountain bike worlds better than any other bike concept in the test field. Here, beginners as well as veterans will find a guarantee for fun that produces great memories all year round and on all surfaces – a well-deserved test victory!

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You can find out more about at laufcycling.com

The test field

Get an overview of the grouptest here: Gravel vs. mountain bike – 6 models on test

All bikes in test: BMC Twostroke 01 ONE (Click for review) | BMC URS LT ONE (Click for review) | Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 1by (Click for review) | Fustle Causeway TRAIL Lite (Click for review) | Lauf True Grit SRAM XPLR Edition | Trek Supercaliber 9.8 GX (Click for review)

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Words: Photos: Benjamin Topf