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The Icelandic model that began off with a wacky leaf-spring fork has come a great distance, and the brand new Lauf Úthald highway bike takes every part they realized about making a fast-yet-stable gravel bike and brings it to the tarmac.
The purpose was to make a motorcycle that didn’t simply really feel quick, however was, really, quick. Extra exactly, helped you experience quicker, not simply really feel prefer it was quick.
![angle view of lauf uthald road bike](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-lauf-uthald-road-bike-details-2.jpg)
What’s the excellence? They are saying most highway bikes are constructed for professional riders who, as a lot as we hate to say out loud, are very totally different than you and I. Their wants and desires are totally different. The razor-sharp dealing with professionals tolerate doesn’t work as properly for many riders, and Lauf argues that the generally twitchy dealing with really makes you slower as a result of it’s not confidence inspiring. It “feels” quick, but it surely doesn’t make you quick.
So that they determined to do one thing totally different, as they at all times do.
Lauf’s drawback with highway bikes
![closeup details of lauf uthald road bike front triangle](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-lauf-uthald-road-bike-details-25.jpg)
Bear with me, it is a lot of textual content…photos come later. Lauf’s prime precedence was a motorcycle that had ultra-stable dealing with. It nonetheless wanted to steer shortly sufficient, however with out the nervous dealing with that comes from a steeper head angle. Wanting on the present highway bike market, they discovered three issues:
- Conventional highway bikes’ head angles had been steep, with bigger body sizes getting even steeper.
- Fork path was quick, particularly in comparison with gravel and MTB.
- Nobody might actually clarify why this was the case.
What they discovered was that these “customary” geometries and designs had been completed seemingly as a result of that’s simply the best way it had at all times been. The steeper angle and shorter path makes the bike steer shortly, which makes it really feel like a fast bike. However it didn’t really translate to real-world velocity, particularly as you tried to go quicker.
“Why wouldn’t you make race bikes extra steady?” asks Lauf co-founder and chief designer Benedikt Skullason. “It descends higher, and there’s no draw back to all-around dealing with or efficiency. The one “draw back” (and people are deliberately sarcastic “air quotes”) could be the gradual velocity car parking zone steering take a look at.”
“I feel the rationale different manufacturers use such steep steering angles on their bikes is as a result of they need them to “really feel” quick by having fast, twitchy steering. That provides individuals the notion that their bike is fast, however in actuality it’s making them slower as a result of they really feel much less assured on the descents.”
Certainly, Lauf says a steeper head angle makes a motorcycle that takes extra focus to carry a line and maintain regular as you go quicker and quicker. In distinction, have a look at the slacker head angles of gravel bikes (and MTB), which create an extended path determine. The longer your fork’s path, the extra steady a motorcycle is at velocity.
The issue with typical highway bikes’ steeper angles will get worse with bigger body sizes. Most manufacturers’ smaller sizes use slacker head angles to push the entrance wheel ahead to cut back toe overlap, however get steeper as sizes improve. Which implies taller riders with increased facilities of gravity get the least-stable bikes. With the Úthald, Lauf retains the pinnacle angle fixed throughout all body sizes.
Slacker head angle versus much less fork offset
![closeup details of lauf uthald road bike fork and head tube](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-lauf-uthald-road-bike-details-9.jpg)
Improved stability is generally concerning the fork’s path. So, technically they may have saved a extra conventional head angle and given the fork much less offset (or rake) to attain the specified path. However that will have put the entrance wheel too near the cranks and created toe overlap points. And it might have created a shorter wheelbase, which might have damage general stability.
Why not go even slacker?
As a result of, and it’s marginal, as you improve the wheelbase, the bike will get longer, so you could have extra complete turbulence and drag. Additionally, a too-long wheelbase would have too-slow dealing with.
In the end, they wished to create a motorcycle that matches like a race bike, as a result of it’s meant to be a quick bike, however is steady and comfy like an endurance bike, besides even higher. The Úthald could have UCI certification, they usually hinted that there’s a very good motive for that.
Lauf Úthald design philosophy
![closeup details of lauf uthald road bike front profile](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-lauf-uthald-road-bike-details-18.jpg)
When the Seigla gravel bike debuted, it took a extra aggressive design tone than the unique True Grit. The Úthald sticks with that design language however provides road-specific shapes and particulars.
The entrance triangle has some aero nods (although it hasn’t been wind tunnel examined). The headtube is elongated, and the downtube dips barely behind the entrance wheel to observe its curve, then flares to ship air across the water bottles. That latter shaping is an enormous departure from their gravel bikes, and it provides some sophistication to the design.
![closeup details of lauf uthald road bike seat tube junction](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-lauf-uthald-road-bike-details-4.jpg)
The rear finish is formed for consolation, although the dropped seatstays are extra aerodynamic than in the event that they went all the best way as much as the seat clamp junction.
However that dropped seatstay design is basically there for consolation. By driving rear wheel impression forces into the center of the seat tube, that junction acts like a pivot level, letting the seat tube and 27.2 seatpost flex. And due to the seat tube’s offset and angle, it flexes extra downward, so it feels extra like suspension. It doesn’t flex as a lot because the Seigla, however sufficient to softly mute imperfections within the highway and damp vibrations.
![rear frame and seatpost flex comparison chart for lauf uthald road bike versus competition](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/lauf-uthald-rear-compliance-comparison-chart.jpg)
They declare it offers ~4.5mm of “sag” underneath a 75kg (165lb) rider, and might flex as much as ~15mm complete. With the identical take a look at, it exhibits extra means to sag than competitor’s bikes that add heavier pivot and different {hardware}. That’s about the identical compliance you get out of your tires, so it provides as much as loads of consolation. Bonus factors for utilizing a typical seat clamp, too. Right here’s how that comparability seems as percentages:
![rear frame and seatpost flex comparison chart for lauf uthald road bike versus competition, shown as percentages](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/lauf-uthald-rear-compliance-comparison-chart-2.jpg)
Up entrance, it has a standard inflexible fork, however will get a brand new Highway Smoothie carbon handlebar with 2.5mm of “sag” with a 40kg (88lb) load. Like their Smoothie gravel bar, which is great, it makes use of impact-resistant S2 glass fibers within the central portion to permit some flex and higher vibration damping.
The Highway Smoothie handlebar (270g for 40cm) is formed in a different way, with rounded sections creating an ergonomic platform. For now, it solely is available in 38/40/42cm widths, which some might think about slim, however many manufacturers are operating narrower bars now to spice up aerodynamic claims. Talking of…
Is it Aero?
![closeup details of lauf uthald road bike drivetrain](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-lauf-uthald-road-bike-details-7.jpg)
Sure, principally, however not for the explanations different manufacturers are spouting. They’re not utilizing stealth routing. The brake traces run internally, however enter on the downtube and fork crown, so there’s a tiny little bit of hose uncovered to the wind, however they’ll run a narrower higher headset and maintain the pinnacle tube slimmer than on bikes needing a 1.5″ higher bearing to make room for hoses, in order that’s a wash. It additionally makes the bike simpler to regulate if it’s essential to swap stems or change stack peak.
Lauf is simply spec’ing SRAM wi-fi teams, although there are ports for Shimano Di2 wires resulting in the derailleurs. You would additionally run Campy’s new Super Record Wireless group. So, no added drag right here. And, by eliminating additional ports and cable housing tunnels contained in the body, they saved 50g. There are tunnels for the brake hoses, although, in order that they gained’t rattle.
![closeup details of lauf uthald road bike seat tube](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-lauf-uthald-road-bike-details-23.jpg)
There’s additionally the aforementioned “usually aerodynamic” shapes of the fork legs and head- and downtubes, too. The larger image Lauf checked out was the credibility of aero claims from others, primarily that the claimed reductions in drag happen at superhuman speeds. How many people really maintain 45km/h (28mph), even when drafting?
But that’s the quantity continuously used. Since drag will increase by a a number of of three as velocity will increase, a claimed 8w financial savings is extra like 2w at speeds most of us are using. So, Lauf opted out of maximum shaping and inner routing to deal with experience high quality and ease of possession. And if it’s simpler to regulate your match to get you in a extra aero place, you’re extra prone to do it, which can probably save extra watts.
Lauf Úthald tech particulars and specs
Whereas loads of highway bikes are including extra tire clearance, many are solely upping the spec to 28mm tires. The Úthald comes with 700×32 tires however will match 35mm tires, and it’s tubeless prepared. That permits you to run decrease pressures for extra consolation and traction, and places extra rubber on the highway for higher grip.
![closeup details of lauf uthald road bike crankset](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-lauf-uthald-road-bike-details-6.jpg)
It additionally comes with crank-based energy meters on each construct.
Whereas they constructed the entrance for stability, the rear finish retains ultra-short chainstays, simply 405mm. The seat tube lets the rear wheel tuck in, and that offers the bike snappy acceleration and retains the wheelbase in the proper zone for prime efficiency dealing with.
They keep on with a confirmed BSA threaded backside bracket. Like the usual inner brake routing, this makes the bike simpler to service and extra dependable.
![closeup details of lauf uthald road bike rear derailleur](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-lauf-uthald-road-bike-details-5.jpg)
Just like the Seigla, the body makes use of customary modulus fibers. Lauf says high-mod fibers are lighter and stiffer, however they’re additionally extraordinarily brittle. The usual modulus fibers deal with impacts and stresses higher, and flex higher, which lets them make the bike extra comfy.
The body is 985g (claimed, measurement M), and the fork is 365g (claimed), each absolutely painted with out {hardware}. So, they’re not heavy, particularly contemplating the paint provides ~130g (their declare) to the body and ~20g to the fork. So, actually, it’s a ~860g body, which is fairly darn good.
Geometry
![lauf uthald geometry chart](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/lauf-uthald-geometry-chart.jpg)
The 71.5º head angle carries throughout all 5 body sizes, as does the 64mm path determine. To place that into perspective, listed here are a few fashionable fashions specs (decrease head tube angle is slacker, increased path is extra steady):
- Specialised Tarmac SL8: 70.5º to 73.5º vary, 71mm to 55mm path
- Specialised Roubaix SL8: 69.3º to 73º vary, 76mm to 57mm path
- Trek Madone Gen7: 72.1º to 73º vary, 68mm to 56mm path
- Trek Domane Gen4: 71º to 72º vary, 61mm to 59mm path
- Scott Addict RC: 70.5º to 73.3º vary, path not listed
- Cannondale Synapse 2022: 71.3º to 73.4º vary, 59mm to 56mm path
Some model’s smaller body sizes are slacker, with extra path, generally a lot extra. What’s spectacular concerning the Úthald is that Lauf might maintain it constant throughout a variety of frames that may match riders from about 5’1″ as much as 6’6″, and that it’s slacker and with extra path even than some model’s endurance-oriented bikes.
Pricing & choices
![closeup details of lauf uthald road bike handlebar](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-lauf-uthald-road-bike-details-22.jpg)
The Lauf Úthald is available in three builds starting from $3,490 to ~$7,500, with the decrease two obtainable to order now and delivery in January, and the highest finish mannequin obtainable in Summer time 2024. All three get the Highway Smoothie handlebar.
The Weekend Warrior ($3,490) comes with SRAM Rival AXS w/ spindle energy meter, DT Swiss E1800 Spline 23 wheels, Fizik Aliante R5 saddle, and Maxxis Excessive-Highway 170tpi tires. Claimed weight is 8.78kg (19.36lb) for measurement medium.
The Race ($4,690) upgrades to Pressure AXS with spider (twin leg) energy meter, Zipp 303 S wheels. Claimed weight is 7.95kg (17.53lb).
The Final mannequin will get, um, what comes after Pressure and hasn’t been up to date for a number of years and might’t be listed till subsequent summer time? Yeah, it’ll get that.
All bikes might be assembled in and shipped from their US HQ in Virginia. Normal paint is Obsidian Black, and Rubus Crimson provides $190 and Borealis and Thingvellir Sky provides $390.
Keep tuned for a primary experience evaluation…
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