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Hi everyone,
I am a huge fun of any comfort improvements that are available on the gravel market and Lauf Grit SL promises to be one of the best one so I really wanted to test it and finally I did.
First things first: it works but to get most of it you need to keep the tire air pressure low. Why? Because it uses a springs that basically do not absorb the energy but releases it to the tire and frame (rider). So if you ride on a firm tire then most of the energy will go directly to you but just use a supple tire like mine Soma Cazadero 700x42c and run it at 30 psi to really enjoy the benefits of Lauf Grit fork. I also added a Redshift Shockstop stem to mitigate even more energy generated by Lauf and in this setup I have a vey comfortable gravel bike. Comfortable and in the same time a fun bike because Lauf Fork is also stiff and precise when needed. And it has a really HUGE tire clerance. I put a Schwalbe Thunder Burt 27,5 2,25 tire in it and there was still a tons of space between tire and fork (but I would not go any further because on bigger bumps the tire could start scratching the fork).
Two more things I have observed:
- Riding on the tops is the least beneficial. It seems that the more weight you put on the handlebar the better for the Lauf (more like a suspension and less like a spring)
- it makes a noise 
in a strong wind you can definetely hear some sort of whistle due to its unique construction.
If you have any questions about this fork just ask me. And if you want to find out more just read my review: https://gravelbikes.cc/tests/lauf-grit-sl-suspension-fork-review/
simplemind wrote:I just added a regular Grit to my Chebacco. Wow, it has transformed that bike. I didn't change the tire pressure, however I will play with that to see what effect that has but the Lauf really does dampen the chatter. Not tried on washboard yet, so we'll see how it does with that.
sweetspot wrote:Hi everyone,
I am a huge fun of any comfort improvements that are available on the gravel market and Lauf Grit SL promises to be one of the best one so I really wanted to test it and finally I did.First things first: it works but to get most of it you need to keep the tire air pressure low. Why? Because it uses a springs that basically do not absorb the energy but releases it to the tire and frame (rider). So if you ride on a firm tire then most of the energy will go directly to you but just use a supple tire like mine Soma Cazadero 700x42c and run it at 30 psi to really enjoy the benefits of Lauf Grit fork. I also added a Redshift Shockstop stem to mitigate even more energy generated by Lauf and in this setup I have a vey comfortable gravel bike. Comfortable and in the same time a fun bike because Lauf Fork is also stiff and precise when needed. And it has a really HUGE tire clerance. I put a Schwalbe Thunder Burt 27,5 2,25 tire in it and there was still a tons of space between tire and fork (but I would not go any further because on bigger bumps the tire could start scratching the fork).
Two more things I have observed:
- Riding on the tops is the least beneficial. It seems that the more weight you put on the handlebar the better for the Lauf (more like a suspension and less like a spring)
- it makes a noise
If you have any questions about this fork just ask me. And if you want to find out more just read my review: https://gravelbikes.cc/tests/lauf-grit-sl-suspension-fork-review/
daustin wrote:
id be curious how it does on washboard. I don’t have lauf fork but I have the shockstop stem on my Tamland 1 with some 700x43 tires at 35psi and rode some bad washboards and about rattled myself off the bike. lol but they were bad ones. Later I was on some rumble strips and I felt nothing through the front but the vibration was felt through my pedals
daustin wrote:
id be curious how it does on washboard. I don’t have lauf fork but I have the shockstop stem on my Tamland 1 with some 700x43 tires at 35psi and rode some bad washboards and about rattled myself off the bike. lol but they were bad ones. Later I was on some rumble strips and I felt nothing through the front but the vibration was felt through my pedals
To be honest not so great. Lauf advertised this fork as the best for this kind of roads but from my experience if you not supplement Grit fork with big tire with low air pressure then you will feel the chatter on your body. And there is no other way because Grit it's just a spring that helps but can't greatly reduce the vibrations like a normal fork (the energy is not absorbed by spring like it is by a standard suspension fork).But when you ride a 50c tire with low air pressure, add a shockstop stem and lauf grit then riding on a washboards can be a totally different and for sure, a better experience than on a standard gravel bike..
daustin wrote:
how does it feel on pavement? I’m sort of interested in a dual purpose bike but not sure the lauf is the best choice for that
Kwontumspeed wrote:I'd like to hear a comparison by anyone who has experience with both Lauf and a Fox 32 SC.
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