Lauf has by no means actually executed“regular,” and that’s an enormous a part of the model’s enchantment. The Icelandic firm has constructed its popularity on doing issues somewhat in another way. Check out its leaf-spring gravel forks, all-road geo, and RIFT races held in its Icelandic homeland. Hell, check out the Elja acoustic (cringe at utilizing that phrase). It’s a polarizing silhouette, however one which I, and lots of others, love. Now Lauf is bringing that very same mindset to the eMTB house with the brand new Lauf eElja. A light-weight mid-travel path bike that appears like a beefed-up model of the model’s entry into the mountain bike house.
And that’s actually the hook right here.
What’s it? Lauf eElja
The brand new eElja doesn’t seem like attempting to win the e-bike arms race with large batteries, monster torque numbers, or burly downhill-bike proportions. As a substitute, Lauf has taken the DNA of its acoustic Elja and added simply sufficient motor, battery, and journey to create one thing that seems like a pure extension of the road.
Identical clear aesthetic and carbon body (however not the precise body because the Elja). Simply with a TQ HPR60 drive unit tucked contained in the body and sufficient further shove to make massive rides, massive climbs, and repeated path laps much more achievable.
At first look, that could be the neatest factor concerning the eElja.
Not A Full-Energy Bruiser – Assume Gentle Path eMTB
Lauf says the brand new eElja weighs as little as 16.6kg / 36.6lb, which instantly places it in uncommon firm for a mid-travel eMTB. Our medium assessment trip from the Iceland launch weighed in at 38lbs on the dot.
That low claimed weight comes within the top-spec Race construct with “lighter” tires, whereas the extra trail-ready tire configurations nonetheless keep fairly low for the class. The Weekend Warrior construct weighs 17.7kg / 39.0lb with the Goodyear Escape 2.6 tires and drops to 17.2kg / 37.9lb with the Goodyear Peak 2.6 choice. The Race construct is claimed at 17.1kg / 37.7lb on Goodyear Escape tires and 16.6kg / 36.6lb on the faster-rolling Goodyear Peaks.
That’s an enormous deal, as a result of it adjustments what sort of bike the eElja desires to be.
Somewhat than construct a heavy, over-gunned machine that wants a motor to masks its mass, Lauf seems to have chased one thing rather more interesting. They crafted an eMTB that also behaves like a spirited path bike when the path will get bizarre, tight, quick, or technical. Much less plow bike, extra precision device.
Which means much less shuttle alternative and extra of an all-day ripper. That strains up with the spec too, with 140mm up entrance and 130mm out again, a setup that lands squarely within the candy spot for contemporary (and enjoyable) path using.
Speak Energy To Me
Energy comes from the brand new TQ HPR60 system, a 60 Nm / 350W motor paired with a 360 Wh battery. Although it doesn’t include one, it has an non-obligatory 160 Wh vary extender for greater days or journey. Lauf calls it the smallest, lightest, and quietest motor in its class, and we’ve got to agree (although I’m not an eBike connoisseur but). Nevertheless, much less weight doesn’t imply much less safety. The TQ HPR60 can also be totally sealed to IP67, which ought to matter to anybody who rides in the actual world and likes to discover. Within the U.S., it’s a Class 1 e-bike with help as much as 20mph.
What’s That Imply In Journey Phrases? Lauf claims the eElja can handle about 1,400 m / 4,600 ft of climbing on a single cost with an 80kg rider utilizing full help. In case you’re going for the “massive day,” that’s about 2,000 m / 6,600 ft with the vary extender.
That Appears Acquainted
One of many extra attention-grabbing particulars of the eElja makes use of the very same cockpit because the analog Elja. Making it a simple transition for these on the lookout for a counterpart to their Elja, or for these going from XC to eMTB. The cockpit stays the identical. It says so much about what Lauf was attempting to protect right here – it’s speculated to not be an excessive amount of like an eBike.
All the things is managed by means of a pair of SRAM AXS Pods, which deal with the drivetrain, dropper, and motor modes with simply these 4 buttons. No cluttered handlebars or further spaghetti.
Which means the eElja isn’t just visually much like the acoustic Elja, but additionally functionally comparable. That issues as a result of the perfect “gentle help” eMTBs are inclined to work once they nonetheless really feel like mountain bikes first, e-bikes second. The eElja appears constructed round that actual concept. Quiet motor. Clear controls. Low system weight. Standard trail-bike proportions. It seems like a motorcycle made for riders who already love the Elja (and light-weight path bikes), however need a powered model that doesn’t blow up the unique bike’s character.
Suspension Design
The motor could get the headline, however the core of the bike remains to be Lauf’s LSP suspension format. On the eElja, meaning a easy design that makes use of a DUB backside bracket (and because the Elja) for the pivot bearings. This primary setup avoids the additional hyperlinks, bearings, and bushings discovered on extra complicated multi-link techniques. Lauf says the pivot placement delivers suspension efficiency much like a 4-bar design, however with much less weight and fewer sturdiness issues.
That design additionally creates one among eElja’s most sensible options: tire clearance.
The body has room for as much as 29 x 3.0in tires, which is a strong quantity of actual property on a contemporary mid-travel bike. Inventory builds include 29 x 2.6in Goodyear Escape Max Path Lite tires and are very strong performers (extra on that in our assessment). Consumers can swap to the lighter, faster-rolling Goodyear Peak Final 2.6 (spec’d on the Elja XC Race) at checkout at no further price.
That a lot clearance makes the eElja really feel extra versatile than many bikes on this class. You may simply construct it as a grippy, high-volume path bruiser for tough terrain. However when you’re like me, you’ll bias it towards sooner, extra downcountry-friendly using – you need that 2.6″ Peak choice. That mirrors the broad-use vibe of the acoustic Elja, and once more reinforces the concept that these two bikes are supposed to dwell aspect by aspect, not cannibalize each other.
The suspension curve goals for usable, balanced path efficiency somewhat than one thing overly progressive or oddly tuned. The anti-rise chart traits from the low-80% vary down towards the mid-60% vary by means of journey, whereas the anti-squat chart hovers round 100% relying on setup. This suspension is designed to pedal cleanly with out sacrificing composure.
Lauf eElja Match and Geometry
Two Builds – No Frills
Lauf is launching the eElja in two full builds: Weekend Warrior and Race.
Each share the identical IRM carbon body, TQ motor system, 360Wh battery, RockShox Reverb AXS dropper, SRAM DB8 four-piston brakes, 180mm rotors, and wi-fi SRAM controls. Each additionally use 160mm cranks and the identical broad tire clearance.
The Weekend Warrior comes with a RockShox Pike 140mm fork, Deluxe Choose shock, SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain, alloy DT Swiss M1900 wheels, and alloy e*13 cranks.Value: $6,990.
The Race construct bumps as much as Pike Choose+ and Deluxe Choose+ suspension, SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission, carbon ethirteen cranks, and ethirteen Optimus carbon wheels with the model’s Sidekick rear hub. Value: $8,490.
Truthfully, each builds appear effectively judged. The Weekend Warrior seems like the quantity play: actual efficiency, no bizarre corners minimize, and a worth that undercuts loads of equally specced opponents. The Race construct is the flashy one, and with a claimed 16.6kg beginning weight, it’s additionally the attention-grabber. In case you’re laborious in your package and smoking drive trains like Willy Nelson, you may as effectively hit the Weekend Warrior.
Plus – All bikes are assembled at its Harrisonburg, Virginia manufacturing facility.
Bringing It Again Round
Probably the most spectacular factor concerning the new Lauf eElja isn’t simply that it’s gentle. It appears to grasp precisely what sort of eMTB many riders truly need proper now.
The eElja seems like an e-trail bike for riders who nonetheless care deeply concerning the really feel of a mountain bike. The low weight, quiet TQ system, clear all-wireless setup, wise journey, large tire clearance, and simplified rear finish. That is an eMTB that wishes to trip naturally, keep straightforward to dwell with, and keep away from burying the enjoyable below pointless complexity.
And whenever you put it subsequent to the acoustic Elja, the case will get even stronger.
The Elja and eElja appear to be the type of stablemates that would make good sense for a similar rider: one for pure analog path using, the opposite for longer loops, greater elevation days, restoration rides, or just getting extra out of restricted time.
Take a look at the complete line at Lauf.com
Search for our assessment developing shortly!
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